photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Fifty Seven: Expressions of Faith > Symbol in the light, San Xavier del Bac Mission, Tucson, Arizona, 2009
previous | next
08-APR-2009

Symbol in the light, San Xavier del Bac Mission, Tucson, Arizona, 2009

San Xavier del Bac Mission is considered the finest example of mission architecture in the United States. Located nine miles south of Tucson, on the San Xavier Indian Reservation, it spiritual home to their people since 1797. It is currently difficult to do justice to its striking Moorish and Byzantine architecture with a photograph, since it is undergoing extensive restoration, and much of the exterior is under scaffold. To express the feeling of this magical place, I concentrated instead on its interior, which is covered with richly colored murals and life sized carvings of religious figures. The timing of our visit coincided with the flow of light through a mission window, projecting a softly shadowed cross on the opposite wall of the church. I moved my position so that the silhouetted hand of one of the carvings seems to be gesturing towards the symbol of its faith.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1
1/250s f/4.6 at 91.0mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
share
Phil Douglis16-Aug-2009 20:45
Thanks, Celia. I think you were standing right next to me just before I made this image. The shadow of the cross, floating in the pool of light, drew my eye first. I gradually moved my camera position until the arm of the saint entered the pool of light and seemed to grasp for the cross, a gesture of faith. You are right -- three things made this image work: the reflection of the cross in the window coming from the opposite wall, the body language of the statue, and my vantage point which brought the two together. I don't see my eye as anything special -- but it is an experienced eye. Over the year's, I've brought many things together by just moving my camera position. If you do things like this long enough, they become instinctive. And yes, I do read detail for potential symbolism, and in this case, it proved productive.
Cecilia Lim16-Aug-2009 18:03
Phil, You have a wonderful eye for detail and for understanding the power of suggestion in these details! Your vantage point is well-placed, connecting the statue with the shadowed cross. It's open arms seem to welcome and embrace the cross. These elements exist randomly in the real world, but you are able to bring these elements together to suggest ideas and provoke thought. I am in awe of your amazing eye!
Phil Douglis21-Apr-2009 21:54
That occured to me as well, Tim. We were shooting for nearly all of this holy week in the Christian calendar. It is a time when believers reaffirm and express their faith, and this image directly refers to that affirmation.
Tim May21-Apr-2009 20:40
How apt that this image was taken during holy week, as those who believe try to reach back to their faith and be renewed by it.
Type your message and click Add Comment
It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest.
Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help private comment