photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Twenty Six : Using reflections to transform reality > Going home, San Francisco, California, 2007
previous | next
08-JUN-2007

Going home, San Francisco, California, 2007

The figure that seems to be vanishing into a painting of an old building is actually a reflection on the window of an art gallery. I was able to get both the window reflection and the painting, which was on the rear wall of the gallery, into the same zone of focus. This man is going home by absorbing himself in the past.

Leica V-Lux 1
1/15s f/3.6 at 64.2mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
share
daanstringer.com02-Sep-2007 22:40
love this one! also because of the right stairs, and the similiraties between that building and the stairs
Phil Douglis11-Jul-2007 00:36
Thanks, Aloha. It took many tries to make this idea work. At once point, the manager of the gallery asked me what I was doing, and when she saw this photo, she was as surprised as you were.
Aloha Diao Lavina10-Jul-2007 23:43
There is such a beautiful atmosphere in this image. The dark sky and the mute light on the building builds a mesmerizing quality into the scene, contrasting with the even light of the frame created by the window and doorway frame. The shaft of silvery light and the halo effect on the reflected person creates an ethereal juxtaposition. A compelling and remarkable image, Phil.
Phil Douglis01-Jul-2007 19:41
Glad you noticed the "slightly off-kilter" stairway here, Ceci. It offers a choice for the ghostly reflection. Will it fuse with the old building? Or will it eventually choose to mount those steps and vanish into another dimension of time? I'm delighted that it made the back of the Winstonian neck crawl. That was my intention.
Guest 01-Jul-2007 05:00
This is a wonderful ghostly image, with the guy in blue seemingly being beamed aloft in this cityscape. The slightly off kilter stairway adds another dimension and another time, and the building in front of this person seems to be from another era all together. A terrific mixture of elements that makes the back of the neck crawl.
Phil Douglis24-Jun-2007 18:31
Creepy is a good word for this image, Mo. You are right. His life may be in the process of being erased altogether here.
monique jansen24-Jun-2007 09:51
Feels like time-travel, he vanishes into the past, like his life has been erased as well.If you think about it, it is even a tiny bit creepy - could be the cover for a thriller.
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