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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Three: Expressing human values > Conflicting emotions, Barcelona, Spain, 2011
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27-NOV-2011

Conflicting emotions, Barcelona, Spain, 2011

This woman was sitting along the edge of a Sunday market. She exhibited a range of emotional responses as I photographed her from a distance. The frown on her face seems to express displeasure, yet her interlocked fingers, casually crossed legs, and warm, fuzzy winter clothing seem to contradict the frown by expressing and attitude of casual comfort and relaxation. The conflicting emotions and the visual insights into her personality expressed in this picture underscore the complex role of human values in expressive photography. Humans are complicated individuals, capable of expressing multiple human values – even conflicting ones -- in any given instant.

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Phil Douglis20-May-2018 23:24
I think she is deep in thought as well, and she seems to be quite relaxed. Perhaps she is indeed showing us her "RBF," but to me it was simply a frown. She is relaxed, yet at the at this moment a look of sour disapproval seems to be present. This moment seemed to represent an incongruous contrast of human values. The frown of displeasure is the dominant expression, while the folded hands add a strange context.
Merri 19-May-2018 07:20
She appears to me to be deep in thought which could be supported by the observation she is otherwise relaxed. But maybe she is deep in thought about something unpleasant. In trying to square away the relaxation with the expression, the only thing I can think of is that this is her "Resting B***ch Face". A vulgar (and somewhat misogynist) term for a real facial expression some people get when they have turned their thoughts inward. For me, it is my "OMG, are you ok?" face.
Phil Douglis02-Jan-2012 20:30
Thanks, Tim -- the subject is a fully developed character that represents conflicting emotional states. She seems to be simultaneously displeased and relaxed. The colors and textures of her clothing present strong contrasts as well.
Tim May01-Jan-2012 23:43
A compelling street portrait.
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