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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Seven: Making time count > Apprentice, Arcosanti, Arizona, 2011
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23-APR-2011

Apprentice, Arcosanti, Arizona, 2011

Arcosanti is a prototypical city of the future being built in the Central Arizona desert. Designed by the 93 year old architect Paolo Soleri, it intended to someday house 5, 000 people. It has been under construction for 30 years. A small group of apprentices live, work, and study here – they provide the manpower to build Arcosanti. This apprentice was not working. Instead, he was working out on the basketball court set within the beginnings of what someday will be a massive vaulted town center. I caught him in silhouette just as he lofted a shot into the net. His arms are still raised as the ball slips into the net, symbolizing a moment of triumph that can be seen as the ultimate purpose of his apprenticeship.

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Phil Douglis09-Jul-2011 21:06
Thanks, Claudia -- I am glad you can see the story that lies within this image. The context I supply in the caption is important to such understanding. Many photographers believe that captions are superfluous, and that their images should stand on their own merits. Some of them not only leave out captions -- they will not even give their images a title. Everyone has their own way of working. In my own case, I always try to use the power of words to enhance pictorial communication by providing context for additional meaning, such as you derived in this case. Since all of the images in my pbase galleries are intended as photographic instruction, my captions are also essential as a teaching resource. I am delighted you have been able to get so much from this image, Claudia.
BleuEvanescence09-Jul-2011 17:08
I never had the chance to go to Arizona, even less to Arcosanti but i find this image pretty powerful with the information you give Phil. I like the message it conveys and i can feel and see beyond your capture. As always...another wonderful image that tells a real life story.
Phil Douglis18-May-2011 19:54
Thanks, Chris, Ann, and Carol for coming to this image. The light and color are almost as important here as the moment itself. I am glad, Carol, that you see this image in the context of your own visit to Arcosanti. You see it as a metaphor for the ultimate realization of Arcosanti -- a dream that is slowly (very slowly) being realized. The yellow reflection can indeed be seen as a bright counterpoint to the darkness of the shadows around it. As Ann says, he is not only making a basket here -- he rising to the challenge of the work he is doing, and the purpose of the project itself.
Carol E Sandgren18-May-2011 18:12
I see this in a different way. This is one of the few places in Arizona that I have actually been to. I keep waiting for it to be completed since it seems like a great idea. The bright yellow reflection in the glass to me is like the sun that is still waiting to rise. I like the faint shadow of what appears to be a human hand in the yellow reflection, perhaps signifying the need for such a structure, and that we will wait for as long as it takes. I found this image fascinating as I did my visit to Arcosanti.
Ann...18-May-2011 08:02
A young man rising to many challenges. What an exciting project this is.
Chris Sofopoulos18-May-2011 06:04
Wonderfuly seen Phil. Interesting play with light and colour!
Phil Douglis18-May-2011 00:14
It is more in than out, here -- yet basketballs sometimes have a way of "rimming out." It all depends upon the spin that is on the ball. This is indeed an instant where the result hangs in the balance. For the record, this shot went in.
Tim May18-May-2011 00:02
I like the tension here - the ball seems poised to drop through the net - yet there is still the chance that it might fall out.
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