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Kal Khogali | all galleries >> Transition >> New Images > Balanced Meal, Hong Kong 2006
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16-JAN-2006

Balanced Meal, Hong Kong 2006

Canon EOS 20D
1/40s f/5.6 at 40.0mm iso400 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Kal Khogali04-May-2006 17:46
An interesting point. Travel as fact (colour and reality) Vs B&W as a graphic and more art based media..I like that differentiation. Even it's use in modern photojournalism could be described as an "artistic" choice, not really necessary from a documentary perspective (compared to the past). Thanks Phil. K
Phil Douglis02-May-2006 17:03
I meant to say that the color version works best for me as a travel photograph. Sorry.
Phil Douglis02-May-2006 17:02
A useful discussion, Kal I posted my comment on the color version, which confirmed by guess. Those red Chinese letters stress the place, while this version stresses mood. Two entirely different objectives are served. So its not really a matter of which is the best version. Rather, it's which one best meets your intentions for the image. As a travel photographer, this image works beautifully for me. As an art photographer asking the viewer to shoulder a larger burden, this version would probably be the choice.
Kal Khogali02-May-2006 16:01
Hi Phil, I must admit that I do instinctively go for B&W, but here I debated it a long time in my own mind before posting this. There is a graphic nature to this image that I think is lost in colour, and a feeling of it being more alive in the colour version. Not that colour does not work, just that it's impact and expression is different. I have posted the colour version for discussion herehttp://www.pbase.com/shangheye/image/59557637
Guest 02-May-2006 11:08
I prefer this image in B&W.Not color.The delicate condensation and the heavy mood weighted down by the mountains of dishes would be destroyed by color.The chinese symbol feels like marks made across a fogged dreary window.Like a finger drawn across sighing lips.I envy your potent style that speaks so strong with so few syllables.That is the sign of a great orator.And you are.
~V!~
Ray Rebortira02-May-2006 03:30
I agree with Phil wholeheartedly. However, my first impression was you were using the circled characters to recall the Yin Yang symbol, the principle of balance, so in that sense the allusion is not so remote.
Guest 02-May-2006 00:12
Interesting composition here Kal.
Phil Douglis01-May-2006 17:30
The plates take a lot of looking to find. Perhaps if this was in color, it might read with greater impact. The colors of the letters, the color of the plates, may well change this image for being a bit difficult to appreciate, to one with powerful and immediate impact. In fact, in looking at a several of your recent works (Lunch Break, Treadmill, and Flames of Faith all come to mind) I have been wondering if color might not have been a more effective in them a well? Your use of color in Oranges was essential, of course. You have a good eye for color, and sometimes I think you may be using black and white to make the image look more abstract and thus "serious" as matter of course. Use B&W when its abstraction stimulates the imagination of the viewer, or when color plays no role whatsoever. But think about the power of reality, as conveyed by color, to add meaning to your work, Kal. When you choose to use it, you have used it quite well.
Ana Carloto O'Shea01-May-2006 14:30
Balanced meal?? Humm... I cannot see that much here... What does it say there?? Wait... those are plates right?? Ah! they are all balanced there :) Gotcha!
David G01-May-2006 12:33
Very nice, Kal...really well done!
Guest 01-May-2006 11:30
Superbly composed bw image
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