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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Sixteen: Story-telling street photography > In Full Stride, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, 2005
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29-OCT-2005

In Full Stride, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, 2005

The tiny wooden door, framed in pockmarked old stone, was incongruously set within a towering wall painted in two different colors and somewhat the worse for wear. It is very representative of Old San Miguel, the perfect backdrop for a street photograph characteristic of the town. All I needed was a human touch, a person who might bring energy and meaning to the scene. I shot several passersby from my position across the street, but the contrasting energy was lacking. Eventually a young man came vaulting up the street in full stride. He saw me aiming my camera and stopped abruptly, courteously waiting for me to take my shot. He had no idea that he was my subject and the wall and door were my context. I waved him on, and with lips pressed together and head down, he walked at full tilt towards the door so he would not interrupt my photography. As he came within a few feet of it, he made my idea work.

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Phil Douglis27-Nov-2006 02:17
And that's the point, Ade -- without the energy of that stride, the image does not work.
Guest 26-Nov-2006 20:21
the stride is wonderful here
Phil Douglis15-Nov-2005 18:12
I wanted energy. I waited for energy. I got energy.
monique jansen15-Nov-2005 15:16
Before even looking at your title, I thought "big strides", this guy is in a big hurry to get somewhere, not noticing his environment
Phil Douglis12-Nov-2005 19:20
Thanks, Kal. The tilting door and the tilt of the man was a fortunate coincidence. I had no idea he would tilt for me, but he did. I loved the sloping paint job, it does indeed help put the picture into motion.
Kal Khogali12-Nov-2005 12:50
What a great image Phil. The tilt of the man because of his stride matches the tilt of the door and paint on the wall and all of a sudden it feels like a cartwheel...brilliant!
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