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Kal Khogali | all galleries >> Transition >> New Images > Cornered, Shanghai 2005
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30-OCT-2005

Cornered, Shanghai 2005

Canon EOS 20D
1/640s f/5.6 at 300.0mm iso400 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Hodero17-Oct-2007 06:32
Phenomenal !!
V.
George Christakos25-Sep-2006 16:19
Perhaps one of the best photos I've seen in pbase. Your composition is Brilliant. You could win a prize in a photo competition with this one Kal. My compliments for this piece of Art!!! V.
Guest 24-Jul-2006 02:13
stunning. excellent angle and very compelling photo.
Guest 30-May-2006 20:32
a wonderful image, Kal. I love particularly the crop you made and you pov because it add the necessary close-up but without been invasive of the man. The plate, shown in a first stand, almost ask our comprehension and help to this so helpless human being. excellent!
Guest 25-May-2006 09:15
Outstanding photograph. I have seen so many "homeless" pictures on pbase but this one is full of meaning and extremely well composed. Congratulations on a very striking and powerful image.
Rob Rosetti15-May-2006 19:47
Dramatic, so sad.. V. Roberto
Guest 12-May-2006 03:30
Very strong, Kal.
What kann I add after all that have been said? Nothing, just tell you "I saw this image and found it strong".
Lucie
Guest 12-May-2006 02:16
great but sad!!
...duncan11-May-2006 23:29
To me a triangle is created in this image, from the bowl to the crutch and to the eyes. The eyes, although not in the plane of focus and in the depth of field, force my eye back to the bowl due to the point of view, and forcing me to recognise the bowl and the crutch, probably more so the bowl. The crutch has rich texture and superb detail but the bowl being white or off white brings itself to the centre of the photo or the main subject reminding me of homeless people looking for generosity. Although working in rectangular or square frames I feel a composition that creates a triangle of interest is best, especially with a human element. It draws the eye around the photo to what the photographer wants to showcase in their image. It brings the eye into a photo and back out and in again, making the viewer look longer and with interest.


From the bowl to the crutch and to the eye and back to the bowl. The cigarette buts have no meaning to me in the photo other than something that is commonly known with smoking. It reduces hunger and the need for food eliminating or at least subjugating to a minor level the need to eat. The bowl brings that into view. Some would say smoking costs and takes resources away from the person who needs something to eat but most people don’t see homeless people picking through ashtrays for unfinished smokes. Smoking curbs the oral fixation for food. This is why people who quit gain weight. A homeless person who quits does not gain because they have nothing to put in place of the need to smoke. The addiction to smoking is also similar to heroin. It is a mistake to fault someone for smoking in the face of hunger.

The bowl is several things. In Zen it is the source of enlightenment. Joshu Washes the Bowl – Gateless Gate. It is also a source of offerings in the Christian faith. On the streets it is a place for money to aid to the poor. The bowl is also something to eat out of if there is food to eat.

Brilliant image Kal.
V
Guest 11-May-2006 17:33
..."there are".. I meant.
~ toujours l'Autre :-)
Guest 11-May-2006 17:30
Talking of symbols, there two cigarette butts on the left...
:-((
~ l'Autre
Bill Harris11-May-2006 17:10
Fine composition, Kal.
Guest 11-May-2006 16:47
Powerful image. I like where you chose to focus (the cane,his leg) . V
Phil Douglis11-May-2006 16:04
A study in symbols, Kal. The crutch symbolizes frailty. The bowl represents need. The man is sleeping, a metaphor for vulnerability and helplessness. The ground as a bed represents life at its hardest. You put all of these symbols together from an intimate vantage point, making us all part of the image.
Ray Rebortira11-May-2006 15:49
I agree with alem because, as Carlyle says, "Speech is human, silence is divine."
Guest 11-May-2006 13:03
superb and compelling image. very strong composition.
cfrederick11-May-2006 12:46
Lovely Composition!
Guest 11-May-2006 12:16
Impressive frame and DoF, indeed... but what most impressed me is his look!
Beautiful human catch.
Guest 11-May-2006 12:05
This, Kal, is probably your best image ever. If I could vote a thousand times, I would devote two hours to do so. How in the world did you accomplish this? What are the circumstances of this photograph, and how did you approach the situation?
Guest 11-May-2006 11:55
the only appropriate comment here is silence.
AL11-May-2006 11:46
Two corners occupied by the lonesome man and his bowl of survivial... No doubt a perfect framing and a provoking title. A very compelling yet sad image that probably leaves many of us in a state of profound silence. Voted.
Adalberto Tiburzi11-May-2006 11:40
Powerful image of a powerless.
Adal
Ana Carloto O'Shea11-May-2006 11:33
The DOF is impressive yes. I love the way you've framed it, so low and keeping the man less central to the image by focusing on the bowl instead. I like it better this way... some things are best left in the back for us to think about them...
Guest 11-May-2006 11:21
What a great composition.. The DOF is just outstanding..
the beggar's bol on the left is alos at the right place.. Very, very , good work.
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