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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Two: Travel Incongruities > Cascades d’Ouzoud, Et-Tieta-Ouzoud, Morocco, 2006
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28-DEC-2006

Cascades d’Ouzoud, Et-Tieta-Ouzoud, Morocco, 2006

The vertical plunge of this waterfall is 328 feet. I waited for a passing tourist to step on to a viewing platform next to the basin that catches this plunge. The explosion of water dwarfs his figure, giving this image thought provoking scale incongruity. He seems almost indifferent to the awesome power of nature.

Leica V-Lux 1
1/200s f/4.5 at 38.5mm iso100 hide exif
Full EXIF Info
Date/Time28-Dec-2006 06:13:47
MakeLeica
ModelV-LUX 1
Flash UsedNo
Focal Length38.5 mm
Exposure Time1/200 sec
Aperturef/4.5
ISO Equivalent100
Exposure Bias-1.00
White Balance
Metering Modemulti spot (3)
JPEG Quality
Exposure Programprogram (2)
Focus Distance

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Phil Douglis15-Feb-2008 19:36
I am you learned something from this picture, Cyndy. I am always looking for was to abstract my images, making them seem incongruous and speak of human values. And that is what is happening here. I don't show the whole falls -- only part of it, but just enough to make the point in terms of scale incongruity. That incongruity speaks of
power, energy, and even a touch of indifference on the part of the man. All of them are human values.
Guest 15-Feb-2008 17:10
So many people (including me) would have probably concentrated on the "postcard" interpretation of this beautiful scene. Yet the image is much more powerful with the inclusion of a tourist, his silhouette dwarfted by the waterfall and spray. Thanks for this teaching lesson, Phil.
Phil Douglis28-Jan-2008 04:20
If we take nature's powers for granted, we are more likely to get slapped by it. That's what happens when we do not respect forces that mask their power in great beauty. As you note, Vera, the scale incongruity here makes that very clear.
Guest 28-Jan-2008 00:11
Yes, you have said it well. Indifferent to the power of nature and maybe stupid. In Nova Scotia, my home province, Peggy's Cove is a famous tourist attraction.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peggys_Cove,_Nova_Scotia
Though they post signs, tourists seem to think the are mightier than the forces of nature, edging closer to the edges and inevitably someone gets swiped away. Man is so powerless in the face of nature. The scale here reminds us of this.
v.
Phil Douglis18-Jan-2007 20:12
Thanks, Tim, for this observation. I loved the fact that he has turned his back, at least for the moment, on nature, which demonstrates its awesome power to his unseeing eyes. I try to make every picture a treat for the eye and the mind as well, Tim -- and in the process, hopefully teach someting as well. Thank you.
Tim May18-Jan-2007 17:20
Wow! A powerful shot that, for me, is a metaphor for how small man is in the face, or this case the back, of nature. I love the line that plunges down to the man - It is a wonderful example of scale incongruity, but it is more than that, for me it is more than a lesson - it is a treat for the eye.
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