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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Forty: Expressing the force and beauty of moisture in motion > Lone fisherman, Kern River, California, 2007
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24-FEB-2007

Lone fisherman, Kern River, California, 2007

The presence of a single fisherman brings a sense of scale to this image. He stands alone in the fast moving river, encircled entirely by rocks that echo the precarious nature of his perch – a context that implies potential risk and danger. I shot this scene several times in order to catch the arm of the fisherman in a forward position, repeating the lean of the huge rock that hangs just behind him. Many photographers would want to have the entire scene illuminated by sunlight. However, I prefer the half-light I am offered here. The opposite side of the river, though rocky, appears warm and welcoming. But the fisherman remains in the shadows, doggedly making cast after cast from his rock.

Leica V-Lux 1
1/400s f/6.3 at 28.7mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Phil Douglis13-Oct-2007 15:44
Thanks, Yannick -- it took several images and considerable patience to get the arm in the right spot here.
yannick Beunard13-Oct-2007 09:45
Super image ! V
Phil Douglis18-Mar-2007 23:42
There is a sense here of man against nature, isn't there, Jenene? The Kern gives life, yet also takes it. He is more than willing to take his own chances out there on that rock. In spite of the scale incongruity here, there is an air of supreme confidence about his body language. His legs are anchored firmly to the rock, while all the movement takes place at arms length. In Tim's magnificent image of the same fisherman athttp://www.pbase.com/mityam/image/75709924 , he adds even more scale incongruity by taking a longer view. The same fisherman seems relaxed, patient, almost serene amidst a glowing landscape. Both Tim and I are shooting the same subject, but with differing moods and meaning.
JSWaters18-Mar-2007 18:37
He's in his element here, isn't he? This is a dangerous river, the site of many drownings in which unsuspecting swimmers and those not paying heed to the forceful current paid the ultimate price. But the Kern also gives life to this part of the state -and solace to this singular fisherman. The image gives me the distinct feeling that he carefully considers the force of the river around him, respects it, and therefor takes what pleasure it can offer him.
Jenene
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