Crossing Kokusai-dori, Naha, Okinawa, Japan, 2006 photo

Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Three: Expressing human values > Crossing Kokusai-dori, Naha, Okinawa, Japan, 2006

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26-MAR-2006

Crossing Kokusai-dori, Naha, Okinawa, Japan, 2006

I stood below a traffic light on Naha’s main street for fifteen minutes and watched Okinawans and visitors cross Naha's main street. They came at me in waves. This wave includes a father and his very young child. He conveys a sense of fatherly pride in his bearing, while his ultimate goal is protecting his child on this journey into a busy downtown street. Both pride and protection are human values that all of us can relate to.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30
1/125s f/5.6 at 35.8mm iso80 hide exif

Full EXIF Info
Date/Time	26-Mar-2005 22:56:32
Make	Panasonic
Model	DMC-FZ30
Flash Used	No
Focal Length	35.8 mm
Exposure Time	1/125 sec
Aperture	f/5.6
ISO Equivalent	80
Exposure Bias	0.70
White Balance	(10)
Metering Mode	multi spot (3)
JPEG Quality	(6)
Exposure Program	program (2)
Focus Distance

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Phil Douglis		05-Sep-2006 20:21
Thanks for the question, Lorraine. Yes, I did notice the sign before I made this image. It gives context to this spot, telling the viewer that this is a pedestrian crossing. But I had no idea I was going to be able to make a picture of an adult carrying a baby using this sign as a background. That was a bonus for me. So yes, I noticed it, but not as part of what was yet to happen. And when it did happen, the sign made even more sense. And yes, pride and contentment, and as I noted, protection as well, are all evident here -- all of them are important human values.

Guest		05-Sep-2006 19:06
Phil, did you notice that sign before or after the picture was taken? Because if it was before you are too good! The fathers pride and contentment...what a sight. L.

Phil Douglis		19-Apr-2006 21:15
Thanks, Tim, for adding these Norwegian sculptures for context. I have rarely photographed fathers and their babies and was delighted when this man and his baby crossed the street in front of me. In fact, this is probably the first time I recall seeing a father holding a baby in his arms in a public place. I was deeply moved by the human values of pride and protection he conveys. And thank you as well for pointing out the detail in the blue sign -- a perfect complement to the spirit of this image. The parent in the sign is androgynous, leaving gender out of the equation.

Tim May		19-Apr-2006 19:21
I just noticed the blue sign in the back ground - yet another image on parent protection.

Tim May		19-Apr-2006 17:54
This image reminds me of one of the most moving sculpture gardens I ever visited: The Vigeland Gardens in Oslo, Norway. The sculptures there were the first I had ever seen of fathers and children. Two in particular come to mind with this image The first http://antfarmjournal.com/travel/norway/index.htm was the hardest to find on the internet, but has stayed with me for the 30 some years since I visited Norway. The statue I am referring to is along the left hand side of the page above the words "These are granite. It shows a father defensively hold his child to his chest while looking alertly to the world to watch for danger. This is the most direct reference to your image. The second http://www.pbase.com/image/34724548 shows the tenderness with which a father can nurture. Father's and children are, for me, powerful images. Thank you.

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