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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Fifty Seven: Expressions of Faith > Tomb keeper, Fatehpur Sikri, India, 2008
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26-MAR-2008

Tomb keeper, Fatehpur Sikri, India, 2008

The great mosque of the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri contains the tomb of Salim Chishti, a Sufi mystic. The keeper of the tomb was welcoming and very patient. In 1568, Chishti correctly predicted that the childless emperor Akbar the Great would become a father. Childless women still come to Chishti's tomb in search of a miracle, leaving small cotton threads on the screens that surround it. I did not see any women leaving threads here, but I was able to make this environmental portrait of the tomb keeper – a man who spiritually seemed very much at peace with himself. By photographing him in the half-light of the doorway, I show less of him, and thereby try to say more.

Leica V-Lux 1
1/13s f/2.8 at 7.4mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Phil Douglis01-May-2008 18:15
Your words illuminate this image as much as that light does, Celia. Thank you. You make us think of the nature of the tomb itself. It is a darkened room with small windows and a door admitting light. That is by design, of course. Darkness evokes silence, and silence is the language of death itself. The light that does come through represents life, and allows to us perceive and perhaps better understand the nature of death. The tomb keeper takes his place at the door, a living presence straddling the line between light and darkness, life and death. This, too, is by design. Nothing here is left to chance. It is a creative act in itself. It was then up to me to interpret it with my camera, and that is why I made this image as you see it here. Thanks for appreciating what I've tried to do here, Celia.
Cecilia Lim01-May-2008 12:01
This is a wonderful environmental portrait Phil! The key to this image is how the light falls on him. You center him in the middle of the image, with light falling on one half of him and the rest of him falling away into the darkness - He, being a tomb keeper becomes the gateway between life and death. But he looks into the light - infact he is all about life - because by looking after the dead, he knows he will provide life and stability for those who depend on him financially. It also ensures that the tomb will be there for future generations to visit, to entrust their hopes and prayers to. He seems to have made peace with the nature of his job and its importance, and it's all in his face.
Phil Douglis23-Apr-2008 17:16
Thanks, Vera -- this image is one of the most expressive photographs I made in India, largely because of the interplay of light and shadow that defines the attitude of the tomb-keeper perfectly: he seems spiritually at peace with himself.
Guest 23-Apr-2008 00:58
oh Phil, my absolute favorite so far. The light on his face is magical. He seems so peaceful.
Phil Douglis21-Apr-2008 19:16
Thanks, Mo. Caretakers are ubiquitous in India. People need jobs and there so many people. In my image, the light is just as important as the subject.
monique jansen21-Apr-2008 10:29
Again, wonderful portrait and great light-shadow play.

I have my own caretaker herehttp://www.pbase.com/trevvelbug/image/70641286
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