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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Eight: Light and shadow shape meaning > Camel herd, Erg Chebbi, Sahara Desert, Morocco, 2006
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18-DEC-2006

Camel herd, Erg Chebbi, Sahara Desert, Morocco, 2006

The sight of a camel herd moving past our camp in the Sahara was startling. It seemed like a scene out of a movie. These particular dunes, in fact, have been the setting for many films, including "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Sahara." I isolated only a portion of the herd for this image, choosing a group of camels that was strung out against the sand instead of bunched together. I also made sure to include a solitary camel driver, walking alongside just below the herd. I also waited until this particular group of camels came opposite the huge, funnel-like shadow on the dunes just above them. It is the shadow that gives this image its expression and power, symbolizing a sense of both time and mystery.

Leica V-Lux 1
1/400s f/6.3 at 88.8mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Phil Douglis05-Dec-2007 03:31
Thanks, Vera, for this delicious comment. For Marisa, the funnel-shaped shadow gave the composition its balance. I saw it as giving the image its expression and power, symbolizing the presence of time and mystery. And you, Vera, tell us that this shadow guides the caravan to its destiny. You truly complete the story for me. This is one of my favorite images, and I am amazed that only two people have been moved to comment on it over the past year. It is very much like you to be one of them -- looking at your work, I see a vision that often runs parallel to my own.
Guest 05-Dec-2007 01:15
I love this one Phil. I am amazed at how you can plan your shots, waiting for that ideal moment. For me, it is the shadow of the funnel cloud that makes this picture. It is almost as if it is like the shadow of someone greater than us watching over them, guiding them safely to their destination. The fact that they are in a line gives order, as if they are following a road to a destination though none actually exists. Their is a sense of purpose to their movement.
Vera
Phil Douglis26-Sep-2007 23:15
Always wonderful to have you in my galleries, Marisa. Without that camel driver in the blue robes, it is just a cliche. But with the driver, and as you point out, the huge shadow, the image from illustration to expression. You are right -- the most expressive aspect of this image is its spiritual sense, and how it takes the measure of the desert itself.
Guest 15-Sep-2007 11:32
what caught my eye from this almost monochromatic image was, of course, the camel driver and his blue clothes. The photograph was constructed in a way that even the camels -because of the enviroment- were expected.. everything is in syntony with nature. But the camel driver is the key here: it's the point that anchor the eye and allow then the 'trip' around the photograph. Without him, this photograph wouldn't be so interesting. And I agree with you about that huge shadow in the top that balance the composition so well. Regarding to the 'spiritual' side of this photograph... I would love to be the camel driver and have to my own joy such inmensity of landscape..
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