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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Nine: Composition -- putting it together > The Venetian Pool, Coral Gables, Florida, 2013
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08-FEB-2013

The Venetian Pool, Coral Gables, Florida, 2013

This historic pool, built in 1923 within a coral rock quarry, holds 820,000 gallons of spring water fed from an underground aquifer. During the spring and summer seasons, the pool is filled and drained daily. The Mediterranean design and coloration of the pool is exquisite, and my composition attempts to express the era and style in which it was built. I anchored the image upon the curving staircase that descends from one of its huge lookout towers. The repeating play of light and shadows upon the curving steps echo the play of light and shadow on the curving red railing just above them. Four entry steps – some above the water and others underwater -- emerge from the diagonal thrust of the pool’s edge that carries the eye from the stair railing all the way to the top of the frame. Meanwhile, the shimmering reflection of the pool’s second lookout tower rides the surface of the pool’s deep blue water.

FujiFilm X10
1/750s f/4.5 at 7.1mm iso400 full exif

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Phil Douglis20-Aug-2015 17:15
Thank you, Yiannis, for commenting on this image. It is one of my favorites. I was very fortunate to be there at the right time of day. The repeating play of light and shadow on those curving steps echo the variation of light and shadow on both the railing above them as well as on the steps and reflection extending along side of the pool itself. The interplay of light and shadow helped me to bring an otherwise empty swimming pool to life here.
Yiannis Pavlis20-Aug-2015 03:15
Wonderful capture complimented by beautiful light.
Phil Douglis07-Apr-2013 20:46
The interplay and contrast between rigid geometrical forms and free flowing irregular areas can often be the key to a composition. You not only point that out here, but you go on to note the symbolic meaning present in this contrast. We can even take that symbolism further -- the geometric structure could be viewed as representing the genius of man, while the rippling flow of the color on the water can convey the ever-present hand of nature itself at work. Thank you for bringing this up here, Tim. Composition, the subject of this entire gallery, can offer the viewer much more than just a well-organized image or a beautiful picture. Composition can provide the stuff of meaning, as well.
Tim May07-Apr-2013 18:30
I am interested in the interaction between the rigidity of the lines in the structures and the flow of color on the water. For me it symbolizes the role of a pool in lives - to leave the solid and float in the cool waters.
Phil Douglis13-Mar-2013 21:39
Lines are feast for the photographic eye, Rose. We use them to give structure to our images, guide the viewer's eye though them, and provide repeating rhythms that help express meaning. I am delighted that you appreciate how I've composed this picture and appreciate your comment.
sunlightpix13-Mar-2013 01:38
Wow, there's a lot of lines in this image and you compose them exquisitely! And the colors and textures are brilliant! v
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