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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Eight: Light and shadow shape meaning > Cemetery Fence, Willemstad, Curacao, 2003
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14-DEC-2003

Cemetery Fence, Willemstad, Curacao, 2003

I find cemeteries to be rich in symbolic potential. Various religious beliefs are expressed in monumental fashion. Cemetery art represent man’s attempts to somehow transform mortality into immortality, all of which provides much grist for photographic interpretation. Light and shadow plays a significant role in interpreting such subject matter photographically. Shadows can be regarded as symbols in themselves. They mysteriously withhold information, abstract subject matter, and can often provoke the imagination of the viewer. As I walked about this old cemetery on the sun-drenched Caribbean island of Curacao, I noticed a rusted fence casting its shadow on the walls of a very old tomb. A series of shadowed bars and gothic crosses, symbols of religious beliefs in themselves, rhythmically move across two of the tomb’s surfaces -- the walled up entrance to the crypt itself, and the outside wall of the tomb. A long horizontal shadow bar sweeps across the frame. The recessed entrance to the crypt is also in shadow at its top. The tomb basks in the warmth of the morning light. In this image, I contrast this symbolic interplay of light and shadow against the stark, rusted iron bars of the actual fence that wall the tomb off from us. This fence speaks of the reality and finality of death – whereas the light and shadow imply the spiritual forces that make the concept of death easier for some to accept and perhaps even understand.

Canon PowerShot G5
1/1250s f/4.5 at 14.4mm full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Phil Douglis05-Nov-2006 19:34
Thanks, Ceci for this wonderful commentary. I felt many of the same things as I made this shot, which is essentially about the reality and finality of death. You extend its meaning to those who brought death to others -- the inquisition, slavers, etc. I can see how you would feel that way. This is a haunted place -- the Caribbean has long been an arena of injustice, suffering, and cruelty. And yes, I see the similarity to Mombassa's fortress as well -- another one of those grim buildings built on man's inhumanity to man.
Guest 05-Nov-2006 06:48
Wow, sharp points like arrows, swords or spears, crosses in shadow, cell bars, bands that could bind, crumbling walls and even an anguished little face howling out between the rusted fence, all speak to me of Inquisition and the ancient, endless spread of religious fervor over land, people and cultures. Reminds me of parts of the old prison in Mombassa, where slaves were kept.
Phil Douglis25-May-2005 19:21
Thanks Mark, for noting how the form of the stone wall effects the nature of the shadow. A shadow is infinitely variable, depending upon the angle of the light, the nature of the subject, and the form of the area upon which the shadow makes its home. All of these variables are working here to express meaning. Thank you for this comment.
Guest 25-May-2005 07:18
I really love this shot. Super texture and the way the stone turns a regular fence into a more interesting shape. I particularly like the surprise element where the shadow have the special feature not included in the rails that are seen directly.
Phil Douglis27-Feb-2005 02:48
Never saw those spots before, Dandan. Thanks for pointing them out.
Guest 18-Jan-2005 09:30
The three black spots on the left upper part of the image, along with the shade of the wall form a shape of skull. It’s right about the spear-tip’s shadow. That was the first thing comes in my mind… It does symbolize the mysteries of death…
Phil Douglis06-Aug-2004 21:38
Spear tips or crosses? Take your pick. This image is about the mysteries of death, and either metaphor, spear or cross, would fit that definition.
Bailey Zimmerman06-Aug-2004 20:12
Phil...I love the fact that you captured the spear-tips in shadow......it is so much more powerful that shoting the actual tips......mystery.
Phil Douglis29-Jan-2004 21:27
Likyin, you are a poet as a well as photographer! Thank you for this interpretation, which reinforces my belief that photographs can work as a form of visual poetry. Photos can use rhythm, imagery, and rhyme, just as poems do, to express ideas. You have read my picture as poetry, and I am in your debt for this beautiful interpretation.
Guest 29-Jan-2004 15:40
Sunlight and Brightness are telling Warm and Alive, steel cross and tomb arch are telling Cold and Dead.
When these two opposite powers suddenly met each other, there comes the tightest conflicts: something's shining in, something's fighting out, although fences between, they keep trying to enter the other's world. There are endless struggles, that happens under this peaceful and harmony surface.

Light on tomb, just like heart beating in the darkness...
Carol E Sandgren29-Jan-2004 02:56
I still love this image and glad it is included in your Light gallery. As for the interpretation, you have said it all in your caption. It is quite a powerful image.
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