Temple fence, Logan, Utah, 2006 by Phil Douglis

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25-SEP-2006

Temple fence, Logan, Utah, 2006

Instead of photographing Logan’s landmark Mormon Temple, I chose instead to abstract a very small portion of its ornate metal fence as the early morning sun imposed its own pattern of light and shadow upon it. The temple, originally opened in 1884, has been remodeled several times, and this fence has a definite Art Deco look to it. This abstraction links the work of man to the work of nature, certainly a fitting motif for a religious institution.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50
1/250s f/5.6 at 78.2mm iso100 hide exif

Full EXIF Info
Date/Time	25-Sep-2006 08:09:06
Make	Panasonic
Model	DMC-FZ50
Flash Used	No
Focal Length	78.2 mm
Exposure Time	1/250 sec
Aperture	f/5.6
ISO Equivalent	100
Exposure Bias	-0.33
White Balance
Metering Mode	multi spot (3)
JPEG Quality
Exposure Program	program (2)
Focus Distance

other sizes: small medium large original auto

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Phil Douglis		05-Aug-2007 18:37
Thanks, so much, Patricia, for seeing so much beauty in this simple image. I don't see much theology in this fence, either. That was not my intention. I feel very much as you do on this subject. Expressive photography, particularly in its more abstract forms, allows each viewer to make whatever they may wish of an image.

Patricia Lay-Dorsey		05-Aug-2007 06:16
I love this image with its bold repetitious geometric shapes and hints of the natural world framed by grey metal. As far as its being connected to a religious institution, that makes no never mind to me. Actually if I went there it would get in the way of my pleasure in this wonderful abstraction. But that's where I am, not where you as photographer were when you took it. The joy of art is that we can appreciate it in our own unique ways. And I defintiely DO appreciate this work of art! I also want to mention the importance of the diagonal slant of this shot. It gives it a dynamic feeling.

Phil Douglis		29-Jun-2007 18:56
Thanks, Daniel, for your view of this image. As for the amount of greenery that is visible, I wanted to imply it, so limited it to a small area. You would have more of it -- which would make it your picture, not mine. And that is the beauty of expression -- each artist expresses his or her vision in their own way, and each viewer interprets it in their own way.

Guest		28-Jun-2007 23:15
The image is aesthetically beautiful, yes. I love the dance of light and shadows across the varying geometric shapes. However, I feel like the link between man and nature could be better illustrated- perhaps a couple more slivers of green peeking through to provide a stronger connection?

Phil Douglis		07-Feb-2007 19:29
I know this is your kind of image, Ceci -- pure geometry, linked to light and nature, evoking a bit of the past. Thanks for feeling what I was trying to express here.

Guest		07-Feb-2007 06:15
My kinda shot, strong, abstract, geometric, bold, with its repetitive angles, shading and light, those perfect blues and a cheerful green. Metal, grass and sunlight. Lovely combo!

Phil Douglis		31-Jan-2007 19:40
Good questions, as always, Alister. This image is in my abstraction gallery as an example of choosing only a small part of something to make a statement about the whole. It is not intended to capture the essence of the temple itself. But rather to express the linkage between the work of man and nature --the fence and the slash of grass, that green stripe "worthy of Picasso" as you so enthusiatically observed. As I pointed out in my caption, I've tried here to create a motif that would be fitting for a religious institution. Given my intentions, I think this image succeeds at what it tries to do. Thanks, as always, for your thoughts.

alibenn		31-Jan-2007 07:25
Hmmm, I've pondered this one for a while...Let's face it, it's a fence, could just about be any fence, not necessarily a "significant fence". It tells us nothing of the monument and a little about the fence? Is that abstraction? It makes us ask, how is the fence in context with the monument, is its art deco feel an asset or a travesty? But they are driven by narrative and not by abstraction Yes, it does make us ask questions of the rest of the fence, but not of the monument. So!! Where to now? I feel this image shows very well how powerful a tool repetition color and form are. The green stripe is worthy of Picasso!! And there you have it, a negative review on the use of this image to abstract the monument (yes to the fence!!), but a feather in the cap for the green stripe :))

Phil Douglis		02-Nov-2006 23:23
You are welcome, Annie -- I am always trying make less into more. That is what expressive photography is all about.

Annie J		02-Nov-2006 21:08
Beautifully done Phil. Very simple yet very effective, really illustrates the point that sometimes "less is more"

Phil Douglis		29-Oct-2006 18:39
Thanks, Dandan -- it's a very simple image, based on the repetition you mention. The touch of grass is very important - as you say, it symbolizes life.

Guest		29-Oct-2006 13:09
Love the repetition of the shapes and the forms. The green grass brings the structure to live!

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