photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Seventy Three: Expressive treasures from the underpass. > Descent, Kiev, Ukraine, 2009
previous | next
19-OCT-2009

Descent, Kiev, Ukraine, 2009

One of the most elaborate underpasses we used in Kiev was a very long series of stairs and ramps, connecting the Lavra Monastery to underground caves holding the mummified bodies of Orthodox saints. This image was made in an upper section just at the point where the underpass dips underground. I spot metered on the window so as not to blow that area of the image out. As a result, the balance of the image becomes quite dark, which lends a perfect mood to this scene. A man carrying a package is on his way down to where the mummies rest, causing us to wonder why the delivery?

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
1/500s f/1.7 at 20.0mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
previous | next
share
Phil Douglis04-Nov-2009 03:11
As I mentioned to Claudia, this passageway was not as dark as it seems in the picture. I put the darkness there, to suggest descent into the lower depths. Glad you see it the way I planned it, Rose.
sunlightpix04-Nov-2009 00:38
The handrail provides a strong diagonal, protecting him from stumbling during his descent into darkness.
Phil Douglis03-Nov-2009 04:10
Thanks, Claudia -- I love that shadow as well. It does seem to march to the beat of its own drum. The light here was originally not as moody as in the photo. I made it moody by spot metering on the window to prevent blow out, thus letting the rest of the scene become underexposed. And it is that underexposure that provides the mystery here, the secret rendezvous you speak of.
BleuEvanescence03-Nov-2009 03:55
The shadow of the man here has almost a "life" (ehm...) of its own, it really feels independant from the man, as if it had some sort of secret rendez-vous...
What an intriguing and interesting place and of course....shot ;).
I can never get enough of this type of mood and light.
I love the almost tryptic effect here too.
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