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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Twenty Five: Stimulating the imagination with “opposites and contradictions” > Fat cat, Rabat, Morocco, 2006
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14-DEC-2006

Fat cat, Rabat, Morocco, 2006

I found this cat resting on the hood of a Mercedes just outside of the National Archaeology Museum. While cats can be found underfoot everywhere in Morocco, I had not seen one with such discerning taste. Its choice of bed is contradictory – within moments the driver will probably return, gun the engine, and send it scurrying away. As for its choice of make, a Mercedes would not normally be the first choice of an alley cat.

Leica V-Lux 1
1/160s f/4.0 at 24.4mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Phil Douglis10-Aug-2007 05:57
Thanks, Ed, for mentioning fate. I am not a big fan of fate -- there were fifteen other photographers with me that day, and I don't think any of the others gave this cat and its resting place a second look. They were concentrating instead on the museum we were about to visit. I was more concerned with what was going on in the street outside the museum and was thus able to see this contradictory juxtaposition. We really control our own fate when it comes to photography.
Ed Barna10-Aug-2007 02:19
It was just fate--or to put it elsewise, that's the way the Mercedes Benz.
Phil Douglis02-Apr-2007 17:07
Interesting observation, Shirley -- I saw your "dust" as symbolic stars of affluence. Why? I was obviously influenced by the Mercedes hood ornament.
Shirley Wang02-Apr-2007 04:49
Phil, your water-like blue is a big contrast to the dust in my car.,http://www.pbase.com/image/76522801, which adds another implication for both images.
Phil Douglis06-Mar-2007 17:27
Thanks, Jen, as always, for your comment. I like your view of a watery hood. The cat does seem to float. And I also agree that this image merges the work of nature (the cat) with the work of man (the car). And yes -- I only had a moment to shoot -- the cat's eyes might have been closed as it dozed in the sun, but it was very much aware of my presence as I worked on the composition of this picture, creating the diagonal running between the cat and the hood ornament. And the car was double parked, so I assume the driver was not far away, either.
Jennifer Zhou06-Mar-2007 13:59
I love the hood reflects the sky making it looks like the surfact of water. And you joint nature subtly with man-made product. Cats have very relaxing nature, this cat seems enjoy the quiet moment soaking up the sun but the picture does imply that the quiet moment will be broken at any minute.
Phil Douglis26-Jan-2007 00:17
I waiting for your pun, Tim -- and you did not disappoint.
Tim May25-Jan-2007 17:52
Yet, when the car is running one hope for a purring engine.
Phil Douglis12-Jan-2007 18:01
Thanks, Zandra, for inserting the Joplin lyrics here. And for feeling that contrast between soft fur and hard steel.
Guest 12-Jan-2007 16:19
When this cat is purring i bet you can hear it sing the classic tunes from Janis Joplin

...Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends, So Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz...I'm counting on you, Lord, please don't let me down. Prove that you love me and buy the next round...

This is a very cute but still fashinable picture. The soft fur against teh hard steel of teh car. A wall hanger :)
Phil Douglis11-Jan-2007 19:26
I thought of that for a moment, Catriona. But I forgot to get a release from the cat.
Guest 11-Jan-2007 15:49
Classic! You should sell this one to Mercedes for thier advertising!
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