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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Eight: Light and shadow shape meaning > Kremlin Cathedral, Moscow, Russia, 2003
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24-JUL-2003

Kremlin Cathedral, Moscow, Russia, 2003

The gilded medieval domes of Moscow's Cathedral of the Annunciation rise over the Kremlin's walls against a brilliant blue sky tinged with feathery clouds. Early morning light softly burnishes them with light and shadow, causing them to seem as if they are rising out of the picture toward us, as well. Within just a few hours, when the sun moves higher in the sky, these same domes will appear flat and harsh. The angle of light is critical to both effect and meaning -- the lower the sun, the greater dimensionality.

Canon PowerShot G5
1/1250s f/4.5 at 23.0mm full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Phil Douglis14-Oct-2005 00:27
I looked at this in black and white, and it works well as expression, but not as well as an expressive travel image. So much of the excitement of travel is rooted in reality, and the image is no longer as real in black and white. The golden domes of the Kremlin are what excite the imagination here, and in black and white, the gold is gone. By the way, I shot it in early morning, not at sunset. Never believe the time in EXIF data -- the clock in my camera was way off, even with the eight hour time difference between Moscow and Phoenix. In any event, I am thrilled by your comment, Galina, because it comes to me from a former Muscovite. To you, such scenes as this must be much more familiar than they are to many of us. Yet you find its dimensional effect and color to be compelling. Thank you.
Galina Stepanova13-Oct-2005 19:04
I would not suggest converting this in B&W... but on another way, why not?
Yes, 3D effect is great. You camera probably set up on Arizona time, adding 8 hours, it is about sunset time in Moscow. Beautiful light!
Raqib 31-Aug-2005 13:32
An excellent photograph
Guest 29-May-2005 11:39
beautiful. VERY whimsical.
Phil Douglis22-Sep-2004 03:18
Doug, you raise an excellent point about the magical aspect of photographic intention vs meaning. That's why it is sometimes counter-productive to get too worked up about what we might be trying to express in a picture, because if the picture is truly expressive, our viewers will make up their own minds about it. Your comment on this image made my day, because it shows me that this image, which I took just because the scene from that spot at that instant seemed magical to me, went far beyond my expectations in terms of expression. I made it to make a point about the changing nature of light and shadow. But now we are talking here about renewal and growth. The image has become a trigger to thought. I've always maintained that a photograph is not an end in itself. It is a step in a process of creative stimulation. What happens inside the viewer is much more important than the picture itself.
Guest 21-Sep-2004 21:39
Phil.

What a wonderful metaphor and so happy to read your comment back... it makes the photo all the more meaningful.

With that additional information, the meaning of the image is even greater... it seems that you have effectively captured the renewed, shining spirit of the Church and the people who go there by portraying the building in this "light"... their chains are gone and their freedom of worship is renewed and has been allowed to "blossom"...

Sometimes, it seems that these things can work out in magical ways, whether intentional or not and the deeper meaning can go beyond the visual surface/elements and transcend the image... : )

dR
Phil Douglis21-Sep-2004 21:11
Thanks, dR -- coming from you, this is a tremendous compliment. I love your metaphor here -- which is ironic, since for so many years this Russian Church was treated by its government as a museum and not a place of worship. Maybe it's not so ironic, after all, that after that long period of Communist repression, this Russian church can once again freely seek the sunlight, just as flowers do. Thanks for this wonderful comment.
Phil
Guest 21-Sep-2004 20:17
wonderful!

absolutely brilliant lighting and naturally complementary color palette....

the angle of the shot makes the domes seem like they are seeking the sunlight... reaching up as flowers would do for the rays.....

dR
Guest 14-Oct-2003 06:35
Great work !!! I think you have fully utilised the power of G5 ! By the way, I am happy to hear your comments about my pics too. Thanks.

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