Photographer as editor, by Tim May, Old Route 66, Barstow, California, 2006 photo

Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Thirty Seven: As others see me > Photographer as editor, by Tim May, Old Route 66, Barstow, California, 2006

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12-FEB-2006

Photographer as editor, by Tim May, Old Route 66, Barstow, California, 2006

I spend a lot of time editing my pictures while on a shoot, both on the fly and later on the laptop. Tim May caught me studying my images in camera – I was so absorbed in my task that I never saw him make this shot. Tim abstracts his image by taking a tight, intimate vantage point – the viewer is almost looking over my shoulder as I work. He later intensified the abstraction by converting the image to black and white. Some photographers would not crop a head shot this tightly in the frame, but Tim saw how closely I was looking at my pictures, and effectively brings in his frame to make the viewer look more closely at me.

Nikon Coolpix 8800
1/13s f/3.8 at 35.9mm iso400 hide exif

Full EXIF Info
Date/Time	12-Feb-2006 09:41:40
Make	Nikon
Model	E8800
Flash Used	No
Focal Length	35.9 mm
Exposure Time	1/13 sec
Aperture	f/3.8
ISO Equivalent	400
Exposure Bias
White Balance
Metering Mode	multi spot (3)
JPEG Quality	(6)
Exposure Program	program (2)
Focus Distance

other sizes: small medium large original auto

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Phil Douglis		10-Aug-2007 06:01
You are right about that, Alina. Tim and I always have our cameras at hand -- you never know when something will happen that might be worthy of a photograph. And you are right about my passion for photography, too. If I am not making pictures, I am editing them. And if I am doing neither, I am probably talking about them. Come shoot with me someday, Alina -- you'll see it for yourself. Thank you for these kind comments, and for voting for Tim's picture of me. I am sure he will want to thank you as well.

Alina		10-Aug-2007 04:28
While waiting for dinner to be served both of you still couldn’t put down your cameras. This is a great portrait of a man of great passion for photography. Vote for Tim!

Phil Douglis		25-Jul-2006 17:50
Intimacy is at the core of expressive photography, Ana. That is why this image works so well. It puts me on intimate terms with all who view it. And it is why your own images are so captivating -- they are deeply personal and often quite intimate. By getting this close, Tim is looking for an essence. He not only finds it -- this IS me -- but he expresses it to the viewer in a very intimate way.

Ana Carloto O'Shea		25-Jul-2006 15:28
Tim knows you well :) I think this is a very true rendition of you and the way you work. Not that I can vouch for it myself, because we've never met, but from our talks and about what others say of you, I think I must not be far from the truth... Getting close to the subject leaves no room for wandering and brings us close to the point. I love the tight crop too.

Phil Douglis		24-Jul-2006 17:09
Thanks, Lorraine, for learning from Tim's image of me, and for enjoying this gallery. Perhaps on my next visit to the UK, you will be able to add your own interpretation of me to this growing collection of varied views. (Your recent black and white impressions of your daughter are so rich and vital -- hopefully you will render me as energetically!)

Guest		24-Jul-2006 08:33
This is a special portrait it conveys so much intensity. How the image is tightly cropped speaks to me of admiration and understanding of your passion for photography. This gallerey is superb! L.

Phil Douglis		13-Jul-2006 04:47
Thanks, Angie -- the tight crop not only increases the serious nature of this image, it also makes it more intimate. He dares you to move in with him so that your eye is only inches away. The closer you get within such tight spatial constraints, the more you will come to know my nature.

Guest		11-Jul-2006 07:55
The tight crop and the angle make this photo so serious! I love the portrait Phil!

Phil Douglis		09-Jul-2006 22:44
Thanks, Iris, for appreciating what Tim has accomplished with this image. He is able to imply the passion I bring to my work by internalizing it. We see intense concentration, which, in turn, is a by product of a deeply committed person.

Iris Maybloom (irislm)		09-Jul-2006 19:31
What a wonderful portrait. Tim certainly caught the intensity and concentration I got to observe and admire on this trip. Your passion is contagious and I'm glad I was there to catch some of it.

Phil Douglis		07-Jul-2006 19:34
Thanks, Chris - it is the frame that gives the image its intimacy and power. Roberto -- it is intense: my preoccupation with the image on the screens, Tim's closeup vantage point and tight frame, all combine to express its idea effectively.

Rob Rosetti		07-Jul-2006 17:06
Very intense portrait! Love the choice of the b&w. The image communicates the love which you compose your images. Roberto

Chris Sofopoulos		07-Jul-2006 07:59
I like the tight frame here. Superb portrait Phil. My compliments to Tim.

Phil Douglis		07-Jul-2006 05:09
Thanks, AL, for this comment. Both Carol, and of course Tim, know me personally, so this image simply confirms what they already have experienced. But you and I have never met, yet you are still able to read this image and come to an understanding of me that seems equally accurate. Your words are a tribute to Tim's ability to define character in his portrait -- if it works for you, it should work for most.

Phil Douglis		07-Jul-2006 05:01
Thanks, Tim, for clarifying the black and white mode you were shooting in as an experiment. It was a good choice in this case, although I know you generally prefer to shoot in color (as I do) and then convert later if desired. In that way, we always the choice available to us. And thank you, Carol, for that kind comment. Yes, I am dedicated to my images, sometimes overwhelmingly so.

Carol E Sandgren		07-Jul-2006 03:18
Well I saw Tim shoot this shot in the restaurant! I agree...a familiar view of Phil's dedication to his images!!

Tim May		07-Jul-2006 02:11
A bit of clarification - I was experimenting with the black and white mode in my camera (Nikon 8800) when I took this shot at a restaurant in Barstow. - So, it was not converted in Photoshop. If you ever get a chance to shoot with Phil, this is a view of him you will see quite often!

AL		07-Jul-2006 01:38
Love the tight framing and angle, upclose and personal. Here I'm seeing a "serious" side of you, Phil. Great concentration and probably patience in this expressive portrait by Tim. Could almost imagine what's going through your mind and eyes. A rather intense shot.

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