photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Twelve: Using color to express ideas > Shopper at dusk, Marrakesh, Morocco, 2006
previous | next
26-DEC-2006

Shopper at dusk, Marrakesh, Morocco, 2006

I caught this woman, baby strapped to her back, deep in a souk as the setting sun grazed her face. The play of light and color here is painterly -- it makes the moment into a happy memory. The essence of this image rests in restraint due to deliberate underexposure. The colors are rich and warm, yet subtle in their intensity and visibility. There reds, browns, pinks, purples, oranges, and greens here, but they do not clash. They harmonize in a subtle rainbow of color that expresses the mood and atmosphere of the moment.

Leica V-Lux 1
1/320s f/5.6 at 18.9mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
share
Phil Douglis06-Dec-2007 03:30
The translucent orange fabric at left echoes the color of her shirt, just as your own orange fleece echoes the color of the drapes in your own office in the shot you made as worked with me today on line. (http://www.pbase.com/saltzman40/image/89942610 )
Guest 06-Dec-2007 01:22
This brings to mind the photo I posted today "Student and Mentor." I had thought about taking of my orange fleece, but after looking at a couple of attempts decided to leave it. I think the orange of my sweater works with the light, very similar to this photo. What do you think?
Vera
Phil Douglis26-Sep-2007 23:04
A contradiction in terms. The light is warm and comforting, and so are the colors. But her response and gesture is sad and thoughtful. This contradiction creates tension, which was my objective.
Guest 11-Sep-2007 06:04
Another beautiful image full of colors and beautiful light. But her expression is so downcast. I hope that warm ray of light on her face revive her spirit.
Phil Douglis23-Aug-2007 05:30
Thanks, Tricia, for thinking about the role of color in expressing the essence of an image. And thanks, too, for considering the relationship of underexposure to color as well. You are, no doubt, referring to my response to CM Kwan's question. Try it yourself, and learn from the experience. Good luck.
flowsnow23-Aug-2007 04:18
You are very right with the use of colours to bring the essence out of an image. I shall think more about it in future when I go out and shoot esp. when it comes to lighting conditions. Thanks for tips on the lighting exposure.
Phil Douglis10-Aug-2007 05:47
Thanks, Xin. I, too, was drawn to her expression. I agree with you that we should do alll we can to let the subject's emotions become palpable to the viewer. In this case, we have not only emotion, but also those lush colors which convey emotion as well. The baby itself is well abstracted, but we are drawn to its presence in the sack on the back of the mother by those horizontal folds in the fabric of the sack.
Sheena Xin Liu09-Aug-2007 22:56
I wonder why I have been repeatedly drawn by the less commented images, Phil. I love this image more than I could possibly tell. Besides the color and light are brilliant, I keep my eyes fixed on the remorse on her face as if I perceive her emotions in the vision of my heart. I think one aim of photography, is to let the subject¡¯s emotions palpable to the spectators. This scenario communicates to me effortlessly.
Phil Douglis11-Feb-2007 03:09
Thanks, CM Kwan, for your comment. I always use my spot metering mode. I metered, in this case, on the brightest spot in the image, the light reflecting off the woman's forehead. Anthing less bright than that spot gets a bit darker. I also routinely set my exposure compensation option at minus one-third of a stop. I would rather all of my pictures be a bit dark to start with than have any areas burned out. I can restore any important details lost in darkness in my Post Processing, using Photoshop's "Levels" control or even its "Shadow/Highlight" control. But you can't restore detail that is not there. And that's why I deliberately under-expose every picture, and use a spot meter to make them even a bit darker. It is that darkness that enhances the richness of these colors and expresses both mood and atmosphere.
CM Kwan11-Feb-2007 00:43
Phil, Again you artistically expressed you idea. I was wondering if you could tell me your metering method for this beautiful picture. CM
Phil Douglis17-Jan-2007 20:56
I agree -- these colors are serious and somber, rich and velvety. They are low key colors as well, layering the image in hues that are subtle and lush. Yes, there is a sense of brooding here, Tim, but no sense of confiinement, right? All in all, it is a painterly image, rich in mood and atmosphere. The presence of the child, abstracted as it may be, adds a comforting feel to the image as well.
Tim May17-Jan-2007 20:45
There is for me a sense of brooding here - she seems to be about serious duties.
Type your message and click Add Comment
It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest.
Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help private comment