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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Eighteen: Light and Landscape – combining personal vision with nature’s gifts > Horsemen, Lijiang, China, 2006
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03-APR-2006

Horsemen, Lijiang, China, 2006


Just as the sun demolished a leaden afternoon by hurling its rays through these broken clouds, these horsemen and a small dog came riding past us – a perfect combination for a striking landscape image. Usually landscapes allow time for contemplation. This one did not. The rays lasted only a few minutes; the horses were in front of us for only a few seconds. I put my camera into its multiple image mode, held the shutter button down, and made six pictures in two bursts. I based exposure on the brightest part of the sky to hold detail in the rays. The horses were underexposed, but I was able to bring them back to this point by using the shadow/highlight option in Photoshop. The image has a timeless feel to it – these riders could have come from another century altogether. It is grandeur of nature that takes center stage here – light like this does not show itself every day.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30
1/640s f/8.0 at 9.1mm iso80 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Phil Douglis23-Oct-2006 20:22
Rays of light have always symbolized the "superbeing in the sky," Xin. And yes, they can stand for hope, warmth, and harmony. Thanks for these observations.
Sheena Xin Liu17-Oct-2006 22:18
This picture touches me a lot. The dramatic light shed through the clouds put the horseman into spotlight. This image provides a lot of space for imagination and many ways to interpret.

To me, the rays of sun act as the media for the interaction between human being and the sun(or the superbeing in the sky). It tells hope, warmth and harmony.
Phil Douglis23-Apr-2006 04:24
I was working so hard on the light and the riders that I really did not take notice of the color combination until you mentioned it here, Christine. There is a warmth in the land that contrasts to the gray, cold sky that is just now giving way to the sun.
Guest 23-Apr-2006 04:00
The combination of colours is quite striking and the moment was well caught. What else can I say, I really like this photograph.
Christine
Phil Douglis20-Apr-2006 05:46
The rays coming through the clouds and the horses riding off into the distance have become cinematic shorthand for hope, success, a better tomorrow, and as you note, "The End." We don't see those rays very often, and usually when we do, there is nothing for them to relate to. I felt very fortunate to be able to get rays and riders in the shame image -- I had no control over either, and had no idea I was going to be able to shoot them until they arrived within a few moments of each other.
Carol E Sandgren20-Apr-2006 04:54
LIke the final scene of a western movie! I love how the rays seem to shine right down emphasixing these three housemen.
The End.
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