photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Eight: Light and shadow shape meaning > Detail, Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 2005
previous | next
16-JUL-2005

Detail, Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 2005

The warm color and strong shadows of early morning light redefine the ends of the rugged roof beams that protrude through the wall of this building, and illuminate the colorful detail that decorate the posts and beams that support the roof. The Institute of American Indian Arts is a good example of what has become known as Territorial Design or Santa Fe Style architecture. In this image, I wanted to express the symbolic essence of Santa Fe Style through the interplay of light and shadow on a small section of the Institute’s external detail, texture, and structure. I cropped this photograph into a long horizontal format to stress the flow of the dark shadows that hold the image together.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20
1/500s f/5.2 at 44.7mm iso80 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
share
Phil Douglis14-Jun-2006 17:25
Illusion is a good word for this picture, Jack. There is an image here for the eyes, and another for the imagination. The result can be whatever you make of it.
Guest 08-Jun-2006 22:24
Striking image!! Somewhat of an optical illusion, although I know what I am seeing, its difficult to make my eyes see it correctly.
Phil Douglis16-Aug-2005 23:16
Thanks, Tim, for this comment. I have tried just as you have up until now, and without much success. The "window" for this kind of light on this kind of subject is very short. For one reason or another -- schedules, weather, etc., neither of us had this kind of a chance at it before. I vowed that this time it would be different. I set my alarm for 6:00 a.m. and was on the Plaza at 6:30 a.m. each day we were there. And so was this light.

You are so right. It is sensuous. And it is the effect of color, light, and shadow coming together on this particular kind of texture, surface and embellishment.
Tim May16-Aug-2005 23:07
I have tried on my numerous trips to Santa Fe to capture my feelings about its architecture - I feel a sigh of relief here that you have done it - you have captured the sensuousness of the place with you use of light. Thanks.
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