photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Ninety-four: The Road to Chautauqua > Hall of Christ, Chautauqua, New York, 2015
previous | next
28-JUL-2015

Hall of Christ, Chautauqua, New York, 2015

Dozens of lectures are open to all Chautauqua participants every day. They are given in venues of various sizes, ranging from Chautauqua’s 5,000-seat amphitheater to this elegant structure – a former church converted to a lecture hall. Known as the Hall of Christ, this church was built in 1909, and today it is used to host classes, workshops, and lectures. It is also used for Catholic services on Sundays. While its huge classical pillars were intended to inspire respect and awe, this Chautauqua participant incongruously uses one of them for casual foot support as she scans her cell phone prior to a lecture.

FujiFilm X-T1
1/400s f/7.1 at 50.0mm iso640 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
share
Phil Douglis13-Nov-2015 00:04
You are free to use any of my phrases, Iris. It's not stealing, but rather a compliment.
Iris Maybloom (irislm)12-Nov-2015 17:50
Your observations are so very well stated and so "right-on". I especially love the phrase "tyranny of mobile technology" and will probably steal it from you one day!!!
Phil Douglis12-Nov-2015 05:09
Originally, pictures of people using cell phones in places and situations where phone calls had never been placed or received before were very unique, and the incongruity very obvious. However as time goes on, more and more people are not only using them to call people, but to text, post pictures, read and send email, and surf the net. And needless to add, making photographs.

Phones are now more frequently used with hands and fingers than with mouths and ears. Just as in this shot. And in the one that you linked here as well, Iris. While this may lead to a greater variety in photographing people using cellular technology, it ultimately is pointing to a dreadful outcome. Cellular photography has already significantly devalued the art of photography. Texting has devalued language. Face to face conversations have taken a back seat to phone calls and texting on the move. More people are dying in traffic accidents because of texting drivers. Being forced to listen to others talk loudly on their phones is becoming insufferable. And even nice people become not so nice when they rudely interrupt personal dialogues by turning away to pick up a call. The tyranny of mobile technology does indeed create incongruities, but at what cost?
Iris Maybloom (irislm)09-Nov-2015 18:49
The prolific use of mobile phones provides us with the possibility of so many incongruent images. Here it's at the Hall of Christ. In my last gallery http://www.pbase.com/irislm/image/161787222) it was at the Van Gogh Museum. Love these moments!
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