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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Sixty: Dining impressions – shooting at mealtime. > Evening Rush, The Bluebird, Logan, Utah, 2008
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11-OCT-2008

Evening Rush, The Bluebird, Logan, Utah, 2008

The historic Bluebird has been serving diners on Logan’s main street since the 1920s.
While we were eating, I noticed the hectic pace of the wait staff. I increased the ISO rating to 800, which allowed me to make pictures inside of this restaurant without using a flash. My shutter speed was 1/15th of a second, which is ideal for expressing movement through blur. This combination of settings enabled me to express the brisk comings and goings of the restaurant’s waiters and waitresses. I caught this pair just as they passed each other, going in opposite directions. Meanwhile, the people at the counter in the other room remain completely at ease.

Sigma DP1
1/15s f/4.0 at 16.6mm iso800 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Phil Douglis23-Nov-2008 20:04
Thanks, Dave, for once again bringing us to the Bluebird for dinner. And thanks, too, for this comment -- the image is based on duality. There are two waiters in motion, and there are also two staff members frozen in stillness within the open door. The divergent pairs contrast to each other, just as the two moving waiters contrast to each other by walking in opposite directions. And yes, they do seem as if they are both on autopilot.

Dave Wyman23-Nov-2008 03:07
Phil, you have indeed captured the essence of those who who wait on their customers: if they wait, they also move. I think the inclusion of the still life viewed beyond the open door reinforces what you've shown us, too.

It's interesting to me that your two subjects seem oblivious to each other - the young woman, eyes caught in mid-blink, probably could do much of her work in her sleep.
Phil Douglis22-Oct-2008 02:18
Hey, I was close, wasn't I? I will change the heading accordingly. Thanks for the comment.
sunlightpix22-Oct-2008 01:04
Good service, good food, good prices, and good friends!
Minor correction: the name of the restaurant is the Bluebird.
Phil Douglis18-Oct-2008 22:46
As you recall, I really "worked" this shot -- thanks for noting the underlying message here. All too often we take those who serve our needs for granted. Yes, they get paid and they get our tips, but such people as these also deserve acknowledgement for the effort they bring to their task. This image is all about that effort.
Tim May18-Oct-2008 21:41
A wonderful dining impression. I think we often forget the fact that our leisure is supported by other's work,
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