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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Nine: Composition -- putting it together > On the dunes, Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, Florence, Oregon, 2006
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10-JUN-2006

On the dunes, Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, Florence, Oregon, 2006

I organized this image around three layers. The foreground layer is a mass of dark grass that anchors the scene. The footprints around that grass echo footprints that extend into the other two layers as well. The subject layer is the middle ground. A woman incongruously carries what appears to be a violin case with her as she leaves the beach. Her trail of footprints leads back to a hiker carrying a staff. Another trail of footprints extends to a ridge of grass extending into the background, leading to two more people in the distant background. A large slope of green grass flows down from the upper right hand corner, rhythmically repeating the foreground layer. The entire image hangs together, linked by clumps of grass, and the movements of people on the dunes.

Leica D-Lux 2
1/800s f/5.6 at 6.3mm iso80 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Phil Douglis11-Feb-2007 20:21
"Leaving soft dimples in different directions....as though having evolved fully formed out of the water." What a beautiful metaphor you see here, Ceci. I've posted this image as an example of how composition not only leads the viewer into and through an image, but how it can express meaning as well. You have certainly seen and felt my message here. It is all about humans in harmony with nature.
Guest 11-Feb-2007 07:03
Yum, people walking across the forehead of the ocean, leaving soft dimples in different directions, with the flowing grass like hair into which these "ants" are going, as though having evolved fully formed out of the water. What a lovely image, so peaceful and tranquil, in a scene similar to one that I had the privilege of visiting a few months ago in Florida -- replete with the eternal sound of waves on shore, the warm sand, footprints, grass and salt-laden air. Heaven.
Phil Douglis31-Aug-2006 17:31
Thanks, Brian. You are a masterful photographer, and your comment means much to me. I've posted this image, as I have the others in my cyberbook, to demonstrate how expressive photography works. I am glad you feel that images such as this are inspirational. Comments such as yours keep me going.
Brian Klimowski31-Aug-2006 15:55
This is really a marvelous photograph, Phil - one of my favorites I've seen in some time. Well done! And thank you for taking the time to inspire, and help us all become better photographers!
Cheers,
Brian
Phil Douglis26-Aug-2006 06:57
Thanks, Dan, for this comment. I always try to tell a story if I can, and in this case, its all about a very special place that attracts a lot of comings and goings, isn't it?
Dan Chusid26-Aug-2006 06:28
Nice story in picture.
The tracks catch the eye and lead it around.
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