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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Fifty Four: Opposing diagonals – composing with triangles > Winged Victory, Old State Capitol, Phoenix, Arizona, 2008
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23-OCT-2008

Winged Victory, Old State Capitol, Phoenix, Arizona, 2008

By using the roof edge to create a diagonal line dividing this image into two opposing triangles, I am able to create a striking contrast. The upper triangle is deep blue sky, outlining the brilliant white classical “winged victory” statue that has served as the capitol’s wind vane since 1901. The lower triangle offers a fragment of the cornice of the structure itself, including a portion of Victorian embellishment that characterizes the ornamental architecture of that time. This bold contrast defines the classical style of the building’s architecture and sculpture, and underscores the heroic era in which it was built.

Leica V-Lux 1
1/800s f/8.0 at 48.9mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Phil Douglis18-Nov-2008 18:52
Thanks,Sofia, for appreciating the impact of the low vantage point here. Without it, the image would not be as expressive.
Guest 03-Nov-2008 18:56
Love that creative angle!!!
Phil Douglis26-Oct-2008 04:52
You beat me to it, Carol. I was just about to send you a message with links to nine new images I took during my tutorial last week. I will send it to you anyway. I never even heard of a rule called "using corners."( I know that you should not cut people's heads into triangles by inserting them into the corners of a picture.) Rules or not, the image works because of the triangles. As for the askew part, I think you mean that because I tilt the horizon to make the triangles, I've made the figure lean to the left here. You are right -- that lean makes it leap into the sky. The image is enhanced by the quality of its design, something I learned from you, my friend.
Carol E Sandgren26-Oct-2008 04:45
You break the rules of using corners, which I have always liked. I do love askew images as it draws attention, and in this case, to the winged victory. It's not static but sort of leaps into the blue sky because it is askew. I love the triangle effect and this works so well here! Also the design in the building is nearly symmetrical here and really is shown off because of it.
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