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Kal Khogali | all galleries >> Transition >> New Images > The Guardian, Shanghai 2005
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The Guardian, Shanghai 2005

At the entrance to the Alley

Canon EOS 20D
1/60s f/4.0 at 17.0mm iso3200 with Flash full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Guest 25-Nov-2005 15:45
I guess it's up to the viewer to decide if he is friendly or not, and for me, unlike for the others he looks very friendly, his expression and sparkly eyese are quite a contrast to the unfriendly and uninviting environement he is in.
I myself am not a big fan of flash, but here imo it works well, as if it was an extension of the harsh flame enlighting his face.
Peter
Guest 22-Nov-2005 16:01
I like this, though not as much as some of your others. Would this benefit from cropping about 25% of the right?
Phil Douglis21-Nov-2005 22:32
I recall our conversation about Mary Ellen Mark's use of flash on her Falkland Road prostitutes. It worked for her there, just as it works for you here.
Kal Khogali21-Nov-2005 03:59
I agree Phil. This was meant as a contrast to the more welcoming B&w version in the night shift gallery. It reminded me of an e-mail you once sent me about a Mary Ellen Mark who used flash in the Falkland Rd series. Any way at the time I commented to you about the impact of flash of creating a harshness by bringing out every texture. I am not a fan of flash, but at least here I have shown it's impact on expression. It struck me that I would have the B&W version with no flash on my living room wall, but definitely not this one!! K
Phil Douglis20-Nov-2005 22:59
It almost looks like a newspaper shot, Kal. You so seldom use a flash -- it light is so unnatural and harsh, and it lends a harsh feeling to this portrait. He seems to be snarling at us -- the flash has shattered his world. It is obtrusive and angry light -- creating a harsh, uncompromising mood and setting for what appears to be a very angry man. (Even though he may not be, that's the way the image reads to me. He tough, indeed, and there is no sign of the welcome you promise us.)
Kal Khogali20-Nov-2005 11:44
Friendly, Marisa, because all who wish and dare to enter are welcome. He is simply the first test ;-) He is the same as herehttp://www.pbase.com/shangheye/image/43649802 far more welcoming and warm than first appears...if we are willing to see beyond his toughness. I was amazed at the impact of flash and colour on the mood...thank you as always for being here, you know I appreciate it. K
Marisa Livet20-Nov-2005 11:00
It's not a friendly guardian, maybe he was only caught by surprise...
Maybe all guardians should be like that, when they have to keep stranger away from secret places.
The fire element adds nearly a little mythological flavour to this scene.
As always I think we can see all what we feel like in a picture, but only the picture itself knows what it actually mean.
All the viewers see in that only a partial vision, that is a reflection of themselves.
I’m captured by the atmosphere, by the instant of such a remote life from mine, frozen in the image, but still full of movement.
Thank you
Marisa
Guest 20-Nov-2005 09:59
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alem
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