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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Twenty Six : Using reflections to transform reality > Bank, Beijing, China, 2006
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15-MAR-2006

Bank, Beijing, China, 2006

The glass facade of a Beijing bank reflects the energy of the busy Wangfujing shopping area. When shooting reflections, it is important to keep in mind the purpose of the picture, rather than just shoot incongruous forms for the sake of form itself. This image expresses the duality of Beijing itself. It is a dynamic metropolis, bursting at the seams with energy. Yet it is also chaotic. This reflection caught elements of both. Banks such as this one provide resources to fuel Beijing’s boom, providing context for the image.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30
1/60s f/3.6 at 47.1mm iso100 hide exif
Full EXIF Info
Date/Time15-Mar-2005 02:13:34
MakePanasonic
ModelDMC-FZ30
Flash UsedNo
Focal Length47.1 mm
Exposure Time1/60 sec
Aperturef/3.6
ISO Equivalent100
Exposure Bias
White Balance (10)
Metering Modemulti spot (3)
JPEG Quality (6)
Exposure Programprogram (2)
Focus Distance

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Phil Douglis11-May-2006 03:26
What a wonderful observation, Jenine! Thanks for bringing your own perception of Beijing to bear on this image. As I note, I am expressing the city's dual character -- energy vs. chaos. You see it as a metaphor for the human spirit vs. chaos. I love your phrase "a people trying to knit together their past with their present and not having it quite fit yet, with money being the one common denominator." That is exactly how I felt about this wonderful place, and I am thrilled you see all of that expressed in this particular image.
JSWaters10-May-2006 17:44
Phil, this image expresses everything I felt when I visited Beijing. My first impression of the city was like the dull gray color on the left side - hard and concrete. Upon further inspection, we see glimpses of brilliant color (human spirit?) peeking in from the outskirts. Yes, the city is chaotic - perfectly expressed by your fragmented facade - a representation to me of a people trying to knit together their past with their present and not having it quite fit yet - with money being the one common denominator.
Phil Douglis18-Apr-2006 18:33
Thanks, Carol. I was drawn to this reflection because of that hodge-podge effect you describe. They are chaotic and abstract. I can't speak for the customers of this bank, but I can speak for my own impressions of Beijing itself. It is a chaotic city, a jumble of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. It is in the process of sorting itself out. The only thing certain, as you say, is the sign of the bank. Money. Economic boom and upheaval is at the root of the chaos here.
Carol E Sandgren18-Apr-2006 18:16
Again I agree with Kal. I also noticed the squares of hodge-podge reflections that are a lot more difficult to see what they really are reflecting. This could symbolise the consumers who patronize this bank. The sharply focused signage on the building is the only thing that seems certain in this image, the rest starts to enter a dreamworld.
Phil Douglis17-Apr-2006 18:10
I did not notice that before, probably because I am still seeing this reflected building as it looked to me, rather than as it came out in the picture. We must distance ourselves from the making of a picture in order to see it as our viewers will see it.
Kal Khogali17-Apr-2006 14:30
The reflected building at left is transformed in to chinese characters...it makes this image for me..K
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