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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Fifteen: Making travel portraits that define personality and character. > On the bench, Feng Jing, China, 2007
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07-SEP-2007

On the bench, Feng Jing, China, 2007

I particularly liked the narrow, high bench he sits upon. In spite of the fact that his heels are lifted off the ground and he has limited seating space, he seems perfectly at home here. The furnishings are spare and well used. His cigarette grows shorter by the moment. He looks at us without emotion or curiosity. He does not pose for us – he is simply being himself. This is an example of a portrait where the environment and subject merge in harmony to express character.

Leica V-Lux 1
1/25s f/3.2 at 13.0mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Phil Douglis15-Oct-2007 05:06
I love your explanation as to why his feet don't touch the ground, Patricia. I don't know if he as shrunk over the years, but I do love the fact that he seems to be sitting on a scale, in perfect balance. All of which goes well with your harmony theme here.
Patricia Lay-Dorsey14-Oct-2007 05:22
Perfectly in harmony, Phil, everything about this portrait is in harmony. I suspect that he has shrunk with age--as we all do--and that is why his feet no longer sit firmly on the ground. I bet they used to. This man is very comfortable in his own skin. He has met adversity and conquered it with calm acceptance. You have caught his essence.
Phil Douglis28-Sep-2007 04:57
You find a good story in this picture, Alina. Thank you for taking the time to see all of those details and then telling me how they help tell you who he is. I love the way you say it: "The man with good soul is trying to say something with his eyes." Just beautiful.
Alina28-Sep-2007 04:22
I like details on that portrait. Three high benches, walls that were painted long time ago, old table with beautifully decorated cup, and hidden brush with a head of twigs attached to a thin handle, jacked hanging somewhere high on the wall. The man with good soul is trying to say something with his eyes. He looks like he is smoking to just keep his hands occupied.
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