#khalikallah

[mariamandour]

These pictures clearly are the work of a trustworthy and professional photographer. I love how Khalik plays with light to create something artistically pleasing, but I wouldn't say I like the mental state in which he chose to present his subject. I would have preferred if he chose subjects that were not wasted, especially since he believes that his purpose is to extend light into peoples' lives. To extend that light and hope, he should highlight the good habits of people and not the bad ones.

[zeinamr]

Assignment 1

Khalik Allah

1.What type (genre) of photography does he make? 

The genre of photography that he makes is street photography, documentary photography, and portraiture. He focuses on capturing people's lives from different communities in a raw, honest, and intimate way. He is known for his candid and raw style of capturing people in their natural environment, often in the streets of New York City. He has a distinctive viewpoint and can capture the strength and beauty of the subjects he shoots in a way that is both personal and powerful.

2. Khalik said: “Purpose in life is to extend the light into peoples’ lives” What does he mean by this? Do you agree photography can do this? 

When he claims that his purpose in life is to "extend the light into people's lives," he really means that he wants to use photography to make a significant and good difference in people's lives. He uses his camera to document the lives of individuals in marginalized communities because he thinks that photography has the capacity to transform people's perspectives and provide them with a new way of looking at the world. Additionally, he believes that by documenting their experiences and spreading them to the public, he might assist in shedding light on their situations and draw attention to their difficulties. By the middle of the film, he stated that his "duty is to shine the light in the dark space to show people that there is nothing to fear," demonstrating once more that this is his ultimate goal in life, mainly through photography. I agree that photography may profoundly affect individuals because it gives them a new perspective on the world, which can lead to understanding and drive change.

3. Khalik also said: “To make knowledge born.” How does his photography do that? 

His photography makes knowledge born in that it presents a truthful and honest representation of reality. He brings attention to topics that are frequently ignored by mainstream media and offers an opportunity for individuals to share their opinions and stories by capturing the lives of people in neglected groups. He is able to raise awareness of significant social and cultural concerns through his work, which can lead to change and a better knowledge of the world.

4. How would describe the role of photography from his perspective? 

According to him, the purpose of photography is to capture significant social and cultural issues, raise public awareness about them, and promote change through a better knowledge of the world. He thinks that photography has the ability to inspire and educate people about significant societal concerns in addition to capturing and preserving precious moments.

5. Can his type of photography bring out understanding, as he claims? 

Yes, as he states, I do think that his style of photography may promote understanding. His work illuminates’ topics that are frequently ignored by mainstream media and provides a place for individuals to express their stories and viewpoints by giving a true and accurate portrayal of reality. He is able to raise awareness of significant social and cultural concerns via his work, which can lead to change and a better knowledge of the world. His work as a documentary photographer gives a distinct viewpoint on the world, and his dedication to recording the lives of people in underserved places is very remarkable. He is able to illuminate significant social and cultural concerns via the lives of others, which can spur change and result in a better knowledge of the world.

References:

YouTube . (2022). The Mind of Khalik Allah Khalik Allah Interview. YouTube. Retrieved February 11, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tD_JRkfq_M. 

Rapold, N. (2015, April 17). Khalik Allah's movie captures Harlem Faces and voices by Moonlight. The New York Times. Retrieved February 11, 2023, from https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/19/movies/khalik-allahs-movie-captures-harlem-faces-and-voices-by-moonlight.html 

Masih-Tehrani, M. (2019, July 18). How khalik allah bent the rules of street photography, and found his vision. PDN Online. Retrieved February 11, 2023, from https://pdnonline.com/features/photographer-interviews/how-khalik-allah-bent-the-rules-of-street-photography-and-found-his-vision/ 

Glanzman, A. (2014, October 14). Meet Harlem's 'official' street photographer. Time. Retrieved February 11, 2023, from https://time.com/3589404/meet-harlems-official-street-photographer/ 

[mayamamdouh]

Assignment 1: Khalik Allah’s beauty in photography is his ability to capture everyday life's raw and most vulnerable essence. He is most known and famous for his street photography, and most capture the streets of Harlem, New York. You can see the sociological pain, grief, and agony some people portray when their photos are being taken, and I believe it goes down to more than one element in his style. Khalik enjoys shedding light on the unseen of our society and what seems to be hidden from the media. This might be why he hints at “knowledge being born”, he spoon-feeds the unknown into society and shows what it is like to be African-American or of a minority on the streets of New York. When Khalik mentions that his photography can bring out understanding, I highly believe it can. When society and multiple individuals are able to see the perspectives of others, even through a camera lens, it widens yours to a whole different level.

It allows you to analyze life on a deeper scale. When he said, "the goal of life is to extend the light into people's lives," I believe he meant that in order to understand people, we must shine a light on them in their darkest moments and picture them. I think he utilized photography and movies to delve deeper into people's lives and sentiments, and I believe he is correct.

[delimagealatelier]

The man behind Black Mother, an epic new film about Jamaican identity, Text of Stuart Brumfitt for Another Man Magazine. Link https://urlz.fr/fCFI #anothermanmagazine #KhalikAllah #delimagealatelier https://www.instagram.com/p/COsohXRHdZt/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[haddad1]

Field Niggas by Khalik Allah is in my opinion both a documentary and a portrait video. Allah mentioned that he shines the light in dark spaces and extend light through people’s lives. By light he means taking pictures of people that society rejected or overlooked. I believe that the role of photography is to make people know more about what they don’t know and see the message behind what others see. YES! Some pictures may seem sad, but on the other hand other pictures are cheerful and extend hope and genuinety through our lives. ‘Niggas’ are not criminals by nature, and they are not all bad. Khalik Allah succeeded in reflecting a true meaning message to people watching this video in particular. Maybe we are used to seeing pictures of people suffering all over the world, however, Khalik’s pictures changed something within us as humans that we can never put into words. Field Niggas made new knowledge born into my mind, and thanks to Khalik Allah for making pictures talk more than our tounges.

[superfarah99]

The type of photography that Khalik Allah practices is portrait photography. To Khalik Allah photography is a tool to spread awareness and shed light on real life issues and communities that should be looked more into. i think that he believes that portrait photography can bring understanding as the photos depict matters in their bare forms for the purpose of further explaining an issue. in the interview, Allah mentions that he believes that the purpose of life is to extend the light into people’s lives and that he wants to “make knowledge born”. by that, i believe he means that his photographs are his means of spreading knowledge and light into people’s minds, as khalik allah photographs communities that are usually misunderstood, hidden or stereotyped. for example, in the video he spoke about how his project “ field niggas”  aim was to show how normal a community that is thought to be dangerous is. i do believe that this type of photography is very informative and can bring understanding as the photographs are usually from real life incidents without any exaggeration, and also because the genre’s practitioners usually have a message that they want to spread about certain matters, whether the content is already known or a surprise to the audience. overall, the video of Khalik Allah’s interview helped me further understand the nature of the portrait genre and how its practitioners think. however, i do think that the production of the video could have been better. 

[versatileizzy]

Melskin Love

1.20.19

Shot by Versatile Izzy

[circleofdrink]

The Night is Light. #yerbamate #harlem #ervamate #khalikallah #clarity #lovely #nyc https://www.instagram.com/p/ChTTUHftKoY/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[mariamandour]

This project is a better example of how photographers can use their talent to highlight a topic. These pictures are not as appealing as the ones he shot using the light, but still, it has a more vital message. Khalik Allah made this documentary "Black Mother" to show the people's struggles and the positive and negative parts in Jamaica. Seeing an artist use his work for something importing is very pleasing. Khalik Allah has a purpose and is showing in his work which I like a lot.

[twotrey23]

#BlackMother #director #KhalikAllah at the #film 's #AFIFEST screening tonight. #documentary #Jamaica #filmmaker #filmmaking #photographer #artist #art #KhalikAllahPhotography #photography #filmmakers #artists @americanfilminstitute #AFI #cinema #movies #films #festival #filmfestival #Audi #movie🎬 #indie #independent (at TCL Chinese 6 Theatres) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqES_7IhOSN/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=hrwakjd88o8w

[delimagealatelier]

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A post shared by De l’image à l’atelier (@delimagealatelier)

Projection | 15 février 2021 Black Mother de Khalik Allah. 2018. Film révélé par Saif Fradj invité du cycle cinéma 1. #delimagealatelier #atelier #image #khalikallah https://www.instagram.com/p/COq2MBdHNNS/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[coffeeshopent]

Composed by my idol Khalik Allah. His work is beyond amazing. #KhalikAllah

[calebom]

khalikallah

Harlem street portraits.

More here

[chriswattz]

I was tapped by my mentor #khalikallah and his younger brother @fifthgod (who is also my brother and mentor) to be a additional cinematographer for his film #BlackMother in Jamaica almost 2 years ago. Next week, The film premieres at @themuseumofmodernart on Wednesday, April 4th ! __ If you love me, call me a brother,and or wanna see a young nigga get off his momma couch. I need you come out and watch this masterpiece. First time any Artwork of mine or Art that I’ve had a hand in, is being celebrated at a world class museum. I’m fu*king humbled m ready to put in some more work📈❤️🙏🏽💯 ___ #DoneTalk #thebtgroup #BeautifulEnergy (at Montego Bay, Jamaica)

[versatileizzy]

Welcome. Everything Raw & Uncut. Shot by me. Versatile Izzy. Go tell a friend. I appreciate you.

[mariamismail1-blog]

4. How would describe the role of photography from his perspective?

It's less about normal beauty standards and more about creating beauty from ugliness or sorrow. It's using the camera to alter a person’s aura or letting it be shown in a way it couldn’t be if you were o see them on the street. He humanizes humans.

5. Can his type of photography bring out understanding, as he claims?

His photography depicts a different reality, yet it does not victimize or exaggerate. The photos he took showed people who have been turned away from society but it does not show them as beggars, instead, they have their heads held high and stare straight into the camera engaging with the viewer and yes, I believe it does bring out understanding as you are invited into their world.

Photo courtesy of Khalik Allah