Hotel lobby, Guilin, China, 2006 by Phil Douglis

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04-APR-2006

Hotel lobby, Guilin, China, 2006

The lobby is elegant, classically arranged in the Chinese style. The sleeper is incongruous in such a setting, which makes her all the more interesting. Who or what is she waiting for? Has she had a long, tiring flight, and is waiting for her room to be come available? Or is she tired from touring, and is meeting somebody at this hotel? A picture that asks questions of the viewer is doing its work as expression. Most travelers stay at hotels, and hotel lobbies are wonderful places to find expressive images involving tourism.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30
1/8s f/2.8 at 7.4mm iso80 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto

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Phil Douglis		23-Apr-2006 04:29
If this image has given you a feeling of empathy for this traveler, it has done its job. Thanks, Christine.

Guest		23-Apr-2006 04:03
Which traveller never had to wait in the lobby of the hotel for his/her room, often after a long tiring trip? Christine

Phil Douglis		21-Apr-2006 23:18
Thank you, Celia, for so eloquently appreciating what I was trying to express here. That chairs are not designed for comfort, but are rather for show. Yet this woman is so exhausted she does not seem to mind that she is essentially resting on two boards. You also picked up on the reason why I left out the plant on the right. The plant on the left breaks the symmetry of the elegant furnishings and calls attention to, as you put it so beautifully, "the organic and irregular form of the sleeping girl." As for never missing an opportunity to make expressive images, my camera is always in hand, Celia. This woman was sleeping in the lobby of my own hotel. I had to walk past her to get out of the building. How could I miss her?

Cecilia Lim		21-Apr-2006 20:47
The chairs are upright, rigid and symmetrical. The girl is soft, slumped over in the least symmetrical way. I also like your thoughtful crop, keeping the plant on the left while omitting the one on the right to draw more life and interest to the left of your image. This plant helps to accentuate the organic and irregular form of the sleeping girl. So now, how does this tourist find these hard, formal chairs comfortable or cosy enough to sleep on? Seems absurd, but we can only conclude that life as a tourist must be extremely exhausting! Phil, you amaze me! You never miss an opportunity to make expressive images! Your keen eye always lets us experience not only the attractions you visit, but also the life that goes on around you - which make your galleries extremely varied and interesting!

Phil Douglis		19-Apr-2006 00:24
Glad you see the incongruity here as I did, Ramma. Chinese hotel lobbies are usually very spacious and formally furnished to impress its guests and visitors. But this young woman is too tired to be impressed.

Ramma		18-Apr-2006 20:14
I see a bit of incongruity in this picture. The chairs and the whole get up of the lobby looks Formal, while the sleeper looks so causally asleep !

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