Role Model, Ouarzazate, Morocco, 2006 by Phil Douglis

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23-DEC-2006

Role Model, Ouarzazate, Morocco, 2006

Two cats, one furry, the other bronze, take the morning sun together on the porch of a metalworking shop in Ouarzazate. The incongruity appears in four dimensions: scale, type of cat, choice of material, and emotional attitude. The cat seems familiar with the lion’s bluster, and takes it all in stride.

Leica V-Lux 1
1/500s f/8.0 at 40.7mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto

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Phil Douglis		07-May-2008 21:00
Thanks, Sofia, for adding your comment to this image. Glad you like it. It would make a nice companion to your own incongruous cat image athttp://www.pbase.com/image/96730303 , as well as to the cat/dragon image created by Cyndy Lagarticha's (who left the previous comment here) athttp://www.pbase.com/cyndycat/image/93977599

Guest		07-May-2008 19:19
Very cute couple :)

Phil Douglis		15-Feb-2008 19:27
Thanks, Cyndy -- yes, I was in the right place and the right time. And I was there because I had to be there, and really did not want be there. I took this on the front porch of metalworking shop -- the tour took us there so the people could shop for metal pots, etc. I hate shopping stops on trips. I never go into the shops if I can help it -- I consider them to be tourist traps. Yet there I was -- standing just outside the shop, refusing to go inside, and look what I found at my feet! This picture. I learned a lot from this lesson -- good pictures can come to us anywhere at any time. And yes, that little paw does echo the big bronze paw. I was not at all worried about the cat moving -- it was a cold morning and this sunny spot was where it wanted to be.

Guest		15-Feb-2008 16:52
Talk about being in the right place at the right time! I'd be sweating that the kitty would run away, walk away, or approach me for a pet. The lighting, his expression and stance are perfect. I like how his one paw mirrors the one on the ball.

Phil Douglis		28-Jan-2008 04:17
The lion, as Tim notes, looks up. As you say, that could be interpreted as a protective gaze. The cat, on the other hand, does not see this lion as dangerous. It offers a cool place to sit on a hot day.

Guest		28-Jan-2008 00:06
To Tim's point, I think it is because of the gaze that I see the Lion as the protector. It is as if the kitty cat is huddle in knowing it is a safe haven.

Phil Douglis		19-Jun-2007 15:24
Yes, Alina, they do make good company. Cats are very social animals.

Alina		19-Jun-2007 10:56
Great company

Phil Douglis		29-Jan-2007 19:14
Good point, Sam -- it may well be the other way around here!

Sam Bliss		29-Jan-2007 16:08
I asked question because of the differences in expressions between the cats. The bronze cat seems to be the younger of the two. It has the more playful expression – bright eyes, foot on a ball, looking upward with an expectant look. The other cat seems to be in charge from it expression. He/she seems very serious about guarding its companion. Besides, a role model is not dependent on size, but character.

Phil Douglis		29-Jan-2007 05:44
Both are cats, Sam. One big, one small. The small usually look to the big for guidance, right?

Sam Bliss		29-Jan-2007 02:11
Role Model for whom?

Phil Douglis		18-Jan-2007 20:22
Thanks for pointing up a fifth dimension here, Tim -- direction of gaze. It makes the contrast that much stronger.

Tim May		18-Jan-2007 17:23
Love the title here - I also notice that the lion is looking up - while the cat is looking down.

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