photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Kal Khogali | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> Transition tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Transition

"He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine receives light without darkening me." - Thomas Jefferson This Gallery represents my attempt to move from a Descriptive style of photography to a more Expressive style. It is my work book, and contains good and bad images. The purpose for me is that I can use this gallery to always come back watch as my work goes through a Transition. I hope that anyone who visits this gallery will also learn from my mistakes and my successes. Almost all new images are posted here. Some are transferred to their own galleries, while others remain. Please visit my other galleries and feel free to comment. Kal
New Images
:: New Images ::

comment | share
Steve Price25-Dec-2009 01:41
I see the transition.
Steve Price
ANANDHAN 07-Nov-2008 13:41
my gallery
EMangl15-Nov-2006 16:42
takes 38 minutes to see 441 images as slideshow - great cinema !
Phil Douglis07-May-2006 19:10
Just happened to check out this page and read the recent remarks. Both Ruth and Stan make a good point. There really are no failed images if we learn from them and if we put that knowledge to work. And that is exactly what you have done, and done it well.
ruthemily19-Mar-2006 15:04
i agree with Stan. how can images be failures? they are a part of your journey...in life and in photography. don't discard them. they are as valuable as any others.
i'm not even going to get into the whole camera/shooting mode debate! ;)
Wolfgang12-Jan-2006 16:36
Your so called "failed" images are as good as everything else you see and capture. It's about life, adventure, exploration. When I travel through your galleries, I can see, feel, hear, taste and touch so many elements of where you are and what you are doing at the time you take your photos. Your images have broad messages and capture aspects of life that can be interpreted in many ways, depending on the experiences, or not, of the viewer. You are an original artist. You can touch hearts and souls ... not only of your subjects and viewers, but it seems of yourself as well. You can snap and think in any direction, and your work will always be high quality.
Guest 05-Jan-2006 14:05
Enjoy your graphic and great moodportraits. Lovely.
Kal Khogali09-Aug-2005 09:18
Thanks for the compliment Zandra. It really helps, particularly in the case of partially successful images, because you get to see what it was that did not work. In some cases I even post the successful next to the failed versions. To see the difference is to experience the difference. It is a bit like where you post your colour and B&W images side by side in your cereminies gallery, it becomes easier to understand why one works and the other doesn't...Kal
Guest 09-Aug-2005 07:58
What a great idea to have your images devided in to those that work and thoes that did not work. I think maybe i'll do the same in my owngallery in a while whwn i have more time. Then i will also come back and have a clooser look at your pictures :-)
alibenn08-Jul-2005 03:16
Hi Kal and Phil,

The point I make below is illustrated with this image:http://www.pbase.com/image/45852483

Retaining control of the sensors, focus point and depth of field it is easier to get the image we want, obviously in situations where time permits that degree of pre-visualisation. In normal shooting conditions I would favour AV mode, rather than P mode.

Thank,

Alister
Kal Khogali07-Jul-2005 07:33
Thank you Alister for continuing the debate. I swing between the two. My new approach is to have the camera in P mode when I am simply walking around, it means that where I need a quick reaction, I am focused on the image not the technique (to a certain extent I imagine with bird photography you have some time to set up). If I am out with a specific image in mind, where for example I am looking for shallow depth of field, movement etc, then I have the camera in AV or TV mode and work with the ISO speed and in most cases Partial meter (no spot on the 20D!), I have only used M mode for flash. I have even pushed images on the 20D for effect, so I do think there is a need to be technical. And yes you are so right, I have missed shots, while I fiddled, that is why the P mode though it does not give me the perfect image, it does actually get me the image! My problem is specific, I get so engrossed in the picture taking or visa versa, this is the discipline you talk about, and I am missing it (perhaps Bird photography is the way to develop it). I think I am reaching a balance that recognises that the 20D certainly is a great tool, and one of it's tools is the P-mode, there is no harm in using it, but not to exclusion. Ironically, because I am using the non-P modes consiously now, I use them with more thoughtfulness, that has made my results better. Phil's advice helped me develop a vision I did not know I had. As I get better at that, I am also tackling the technical side. You are very talented and have those two things already in abundance. It means alot that you came to this agllery and shared your views Alister, because I want this to be a place where people can come and tell me what they think of these images and what I am learning. I still have alot of comments I want to make on your galleries, especially your "Wedding" gallery...so expect more soon! Rgds, K
alibenn07-Jul-2005 06:58
Hi Kal,

Thanks for your comment on my Fangorn image. Whilst I agree with what Phil and Paul say regarding using your camera on P mode lets your creativity flow unimpeded, I feel that a stong affinity with your gear in the long run will produce stronger images. It's like driving a car Kal, if you learn in an automatic you may never know the pleasure of driving a manual. Compact cameras are like automatic cars, the manufacturers make them more siphisticated so that the users feel they are driving a manual!!! But you're not...

I come into expressive photography from a nature photographers perspective, especially images of birds, where very strong attention to details and technicals are essential. If I were you I would nurture your creativity like your baby girl, but also spend time with your 20D to fully understand it's functions and when you are next in a fast-paced situation where you need the control of manual settings, you can be there in a heartbeat and nail a finer shot.

I'm not knocking Phil, his reasons for shooting with his camera choice is fully valid, weight etc being an obvious factor. Equally, don't knock your 20D, it's a tool, a way to express your voice and vision.


Paul Teixeira22-May-2005 16:25
I totally agree with Phil. Seeing your new images, Kal, I can only say: great!
Phil Douglis18-May-2005 17:14
I long ago decided that expression was more important than technique. I have used the Program setting for years, freeing myself to think of meaning instead of f stops and shutter speeds. I control exposure essentially by using spot meter in all of my work, allowing me to paint with light. I very rarely take my camera off of program. I have never moved to a DSLR because they are simply too heavy, obtrusive and complex. I use digicams with the best lens quality I can get, and leave it at that. And it works.

So yes, let it go. The 20D is fine camera, but only necessary if you are making huge prints, or shooting in very fast bursts. In most cases a smaller camera would be just as effective a tool for expression, if not more so.

Good luck, Kal.
Kal Khogali18-May-2005 07:57
Hi Phil. I have had a revelation, which you clearly had a long time ago, based on comments on your site. Many of my most successfuly expressive images have been take using my wifes simple Sony DSC P-72!! All that expensive kit and multi-functions on my 20D have only served to distract. I note that you just put your camera in to program mode and let it do it's thing....in many of my images including "Sadness" had I done that, the technical execution would have been clinically correct, e.g. in that case I had it in apeture priority, and so the shallow depth of field. It seems I am getting lost...When I am being expressive I am so absorbed I forget the techincal part, and when I get too technical I lose sight of my expression. Here is my resolution, put the camera in program mode and just let it do it's thing, If it can't do it's thing, it certainly wasn't worth $2000!! I understand that I need to take control when I need to, but for 80% of time I can just let it go.....Kal
Phil Douglis17-May-2005 22:27
I agree, Kal. If you can, display the two scarf images side by side, so everyone can appreciate the comparisons we are discussing here.
Phil Douglis15-May-2005 04:13
Hi, Kal,

Congratulations on the steps you are taking to move from description to expression. Transition is a perfect word to sum up the stage you are entering as a photographer. You just don't pick up a camera and start shooting expressive images. You must evolve bit by bit, image by image. You should never be despondent about confusion or failure -- in photography, to be confused is to be thoughtful, and thoughtfulness leads to ideas and ideas to more expressive images. Any failure becomes knowledge, and knowledge is priceless.

As for these images, they do not yet represent a coherent approach to expression. I can see techniques at work, but I do not see abstraction, incongruity, and human values working together consistently to express meaning. I will make notations for you on a few of these images which might be helpful to your in terms of improvement. Good luck, Kai.
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
click on thumbnails for full image