photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Twenty Eight: Using symbols and metaphors to express meaning > Forlorn couch, Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, Arizona, 2009
previous | next
07-FEB-2009

Forlorn couch, Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, Arizona, 2009

It is incongruous and ironic to see a single couch within a vast space, such as this one placed in a lobby serving the thousands of people who use the sleek new Phoenix Convention Center. It is a matter of scale incongruity – a gesture of hospitality intended more as a gracious symbol than serious comfort for the masses. (Hey, only one person at a time could sit back on this couch and relax.) I found that single couch standing alone, empty and forlorn. I stress such loneliness by converting the image to black and white, removing the bright color of the couch and moving it to the top of the frame. I fill the space below the couch with shimmering floor reflections that seem ready to swallow it whole. The image becomes a symbol of a dysfunctional modern world.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1
1/640s f/9.0 at 14.0mm iso200 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
share
Phil Douglis10-Feb-2009 03:24
The splash of light illuminates the granite column, the wall, and the couch, Vera. The couch was bright yellow, and added an overly cute and cheerful note to the image. I converted it to black and white because the splash of light was emphasis enough -- I did not want to overdo it by having the yellow couch call still more attention to itself. The conversion creates abstraction which intensifies the lonely feeling, and removes the greenish blue cast coming from the tinted windows above. I am glad this image makes you into a participant -- enjoy it.
Guest 10-Feb-2009 01:40
Another favorite! I am amazed at how you can find that spot of light in just the right place. It is a lonely picture waiting for some poor soul to come and feel the light shine on them; rejuvenating them for the day. For me, it causes me to want to walk across the floor, sit down, close my eyes, feel the sunshine and experience solitude in the craziness of the city.
Phil Douglis09-Feb-2009 18:02
I find it fascinating how you see the reflection as expressing a ladder from hell, yet raising the couch to glory, Carol. You are right about the illusion of depth here -- the image just keeps going down and down, whereas I saw that reflection as about to swallow the couch whole.
Carol E Sandgren09-Feb-2009 02:17
What an interesting image, Phil! When first I looked at your image here, I immediately saw the reflection as steps of a ladder, perhaps climbing all the way up to the lone couch from hell. Oops, can I say hell?? In any case, the reflection gives the image such depth, and raises the couch to the highest level of glory, as if saying "now go relax and sit down!"
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