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Gökhan Kayal

@bwkayal

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It is important to see what your eyes can’t see.
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Photography should be printed and viewed on paper.
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Der erste Jahrgang der KLASSE MAHLER stellt aus:

Gökhan Kayal – Der Lebenshof

„Ein Tier zu retten, verändert nicht die ganze Welt, aber die ganze Welt verändert sich für dieses eine Tier“, sagt Joar Berge, Gründer des Lebenshofs Odenwald. Hier hat er etwa 55 sogenannten Nutztieren ein möglichst naturnahes Zuhause geschaffen. Geleitet von Liebe, Respekt und Mitgefühl, erkennen Menschen hier die Tiere als eigenständige Persönlichkeiten an und stellen sich in den Dienst dieser Lebewesen.

Wird sich das kollektive Bewusstsein der Menschheit in eine Zukunft entwickeln, in der die Ausbeutung von Tieren heutigen Ausmaßes als undenkbares Relikt der Vergangenheit angesehen wird?

Die Ausstellung läuft vom 17. bis zum 25.10.2026 im Kunstquartier Bethanien.
Wir laden herzlich ein zur Vernissage am 16.10. um 19 Uhr. Ute und Werner Mahler führen in die Arbeiten ein.

Öffnungszeiten:
Mo–Fr: 13–19 Uhr
Sa & So: 11–19 Uhr

Ausstellungsführungen:
Sa 17.10., 14 & 17 Uhr
So 25.10., 14 & 17 Uhr

Kunstquartier Bethanien Projektraum
Mariannenplatz 2, 10997 Berlin

@ostkreuzschulefuerfotografie
#klassemahler by @bwkayal

I have taken this photo in a train from Hué to Hanoi, Vietnam in 2024. (Not generated by AI)

Sometimes we may be overwhelmed by the thoughts and concerns that cross our minds. The situation may feel like it’s too much to handle. We might feel captive behind bars and desperate to find a way out. We may wish just to flip a switch.

Once, when I was in such a situation, I got the advice to stop looking for that switch because it doesn’t exist. To manage the situation, I learned to take a deep breath and calm down before doing anything else. This was helpful, indeed.

Years later, I learned that accepting and embracing a difficult situation instead of going against it or resisting it helps to improve even further. This works like a reset, and from there, new perspectives and new paths to a solution appear. Moreover, this reset helps to be re-energized.

In retrospect, we may then even discover that the problems that made us feel bad, and may have even hurt us, turn out to be the helping hand of a friend. It’s like the pain that we may feel in our body. It doesn’t help to fight the pain. The pain is our friend that tries to make us aware about an issue. We need to fix the root cause. We may realise that without those problems, we would not have been able to mobilise the necessary energy and creativity on the way to a good solution.
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#leica_photographer #bnwfineartphotography #bnwgreatshots #bnw_drama #bnw_lightandshadow by @bwkayal

I took this photo last year in Huế, Vietnam while attending a photography workshop by @thepassengerphotography . That day we visited a local market. I felt I had already taken many of those typical photos showing vendors praising their goods, exotic fruits, vegetables, fish, and so on and wondered if I could find something different.

I came across an intersection of narrow passages and noticed passersby were only partially lit by sunlight, so I decided to stay. Leaning my back against a wall, I set up my camera and spent about 15–20 minutes photographing various people. Suddenly this man appeared — a few clicks later, and he was gone. It all happened within a few seconds.

I am grateful for moments like that, when I can practice photography in its simplest form: just pressing the shutter release and nothing else, being fully in the moment and doing the thinking before and after.

#bnwfineartphotography #bnwgreatshots #bnw_drama #bnw_lightandshadow #siyahbeyazfoto #bnw_demand #bw_addiction #f22bestphoto #bnw_greatshots #bnw_artstyle #bnw_rose #wegalleryphotos #inspiredeye #schwarzweiss #monochromephotography #magicofvisuals #framesmag #grainmagazine #eyeshotmag #eyephotomagazine #artdocmagazine #Incrediblebnw #bnwzone #bnw_planet_2025 #lensculture #leica #artist__unknown by @bwkayal

I took this photo during a two-hour walk around the Reinheimer Teich in Germany. Walking in this nature reserve is a kind of meditation for me. Wild geese and other bird species live there, as well as Galloway cattle. To my surprise, the Galloway cattle were no longer there. However, there was a small herd of other cattle there. As I approached the fence, one of these animals took an interest in me and came purposefully toward me. I held out my hand so it could smell it and stroked its head. Through my work at the @lebenshof_odenwald (a sanctuary for animals), I’m already somewhat familiar with cattle behavior, but this animal greeted me as if it already knew me and was almost expecting me.

This encounter in itself was remarkable, but I was truly fascinated by an encounter that was something like a “third kind.” During my walk, I was listening to the “Candid Frame” podcast, one of my favorites produced by @ibarionex. Photographer @jonaspaurell was his guest in this recent episode. At the exact moment when I got very close to this cow and took this picture, he talked about his experiences with wild animals, how he makes contact and engages in dialogue with them, and how he feels a deep connection to them. He describes how the animals then peacefully spend an extended period of time with him. This part of the podcast lasted only about 50 seconds, and the synchronicity honestly blew me away. I then asked myself: why did I take this photo? What is the possible message this image contains for me? Perhaps someone has an idea...

#animalhumanphotography #animalphotography #turklikebenbnw #bnwfineartphotography #bnwgreatshots #bnw_drama #bnw_lightandshadow #siyahbeyazfoto #bnw_demand #bw_addiction #f22bestphoto #bnw_greatshots #bnw_artstyle #bnw_rose #inspiredeye #schwarzweiss #monochromephotography #magicofvisuals #grainmagazine #eyeshotmag #eyephotomagazine #Spi_bnw #Incrediblebnw #bnwzone #bnw_planet_2022 #lensculture
#artdocmagazine #artist__unknown by @bwkayal

I bumped into a street musician @wojti.cz in Frankfurt am Main. I was particularly drawn to the mask the musician was wearing. Why would someone put on a mask that suggests a horse? He had also placed large headphones on his head. It was clear to me that these headphones weren’t connected to anything, nor did they have any visible function. Was he just protecting his ears, or was there a message he wanted to convey to his audience? Who knows.

While he played drums and Tibetan bowls, he continuously nodded his head rhythmically—alternating from left to right in a hectic yet steady motion. The music was minimalistic and monotonous, repeating itself, yet I decided to stay and observe his performance.

Suddenly, a vintage American car appeared out of the blue. I felt a distinct sensation in my body, telling me that this car could serve as a striking background for my subject. At the same time, I became nervous, worried I might miss the perfect shot as the moment unfolded rapidly. I moved into a better position, trying to capture the dynamic between the drummer and the car. Everything happened quickly, and I was only able to take two shots. In a related conversation with my daughter, she advised me to take a deep breath in such situations, but I couldn’t think about breathing at that moment. I’ll remember to do that next time. Fortunately, no other people or cars entered my frame, which made me feel relieved and happy as a photographer.

On a first glance at the photo, besides the strange mask and headphones, the vintage car might prompt viewers to wonder when the photo was taken. Although there are plenty of elements indicating that the photo isn’t very old, viewers might still spend a couple of seconds trying to figure that out—a luxury of time on Instagram. The mystery behind the mask, however, remains unsolved, and I like that.

#bnwgreatshots #bnwfineartphotography #artdocmagazine #eyeshotmag #magicofvisuals #eyephotomagazine #bnw_artstyle #framesmag by @bwkayal

On 12th August 2025 I had the indescribable pleasure of witnessing the successful launch of the first #Metop-SG satellite from the European Spaceport in French Guiana.

I took this photo of the #Ariane6 rocket on its launch pad just hours before lift-off into space with its invaluable payload.

Until my retirement about 2.5 years ago I had dedicated 10 years of my life to developing this most advanced meteorological satellite system on the planet called #EUMETSAT Polar System - Second Generation in my role as the Programme Manager.

Grateful for the great experience of working together with #ESA, #CNES, #DLR, #NOAA, #Airbusspace, #Arianespace and many more.

@eumetsatmedia
@europeanspaceagency
@arianespace
@cnes_france

#bnwfineartphotography
#bnwgreatshots #bnw_drama #bnw_lightandshadow #siyahbeyazfoto #bw_addiction #bnw_greatshots #bnw_artstyle #masters_in_bnw #inspiredeye #monochromephotograph
#grainmagazine #eyeshotmag #framesmag #eyephotomagazine #Spi_bnw #spicollective #Incrediblebnw #bnwzone #bnw_demand
#magicofvisuals by @bwkayal

This is a photo of Santi & Tuğçe, a musical duo from Türkiye and Paraguay. They gaze confidently into the sky of Berlin, their home. This vibrant, multicultural city, with its dynamic and complex history, serves as the backdrop to a new chapter in their life. I think the photo juxtaposes a poster of Wim Wenders’ iconic 1987 film Wings of Desire (Himmel über Berlin), made just before the reunification of Germany.

On the left stands the Rotes Rathaus, home to the city’s government. On the right, the twin towers of the Nikolaikirche, the oldest church in Berlin that has witnessed 800 years of history. Below lies the modern roof of the Humboldt Forum, whose exterior mirrors the Berliner Schloss, the royal palace that was severely damaged during World War II and later demolished by East German authorities after the division of Germany. In its place, the Palast der Republik was built to house the parliament of the German Democratic Republic, only to be demolished after reunification.

When I was a student in Berlin (West) during the 80’s I couldn’t imagine at all that some 40 years later I would take a photo of my musician friends on the rooftop of this iconic building which has undergone such a striking transformation through the years.

I’m delighted and honored that Santi & Tuğçe included my photo in their beautifully crafted songbook, featuring exquisite artwork by Scott Partridge. In an age dominated by digital music, there’s something uniquely joyful about holding this tangible book in my hands—feeling its weight, turning its pages, and reading lyrics enriched by anecdotes that reveal how some of the songs came to life.

@santiandtugce
@scottpartridgeart
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#bnwfineartphotography #bnwgreatshots #bnw_drama #bnw_lightandshadow #siyahbeyazfoto #bnw_demand #bw_addiction #f22bestphoto #bnw_greatshots #bnw_artstyle #bnw_rose #wegalleryphotos #inspiredeye #schwarzweiss #monochromephotography #magicofvisuals #framesmag #grainmagazine #eyeshotmag #eyephotomagazine #artdocmagazine #Incrediblebnw #bnwzone #bnw_planet_2024 #lensculture #leica #artist__unknown by @bwkayal

by @bwkayal

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#AfricaFotoFair #AFF24 #photographyfestival #photography #exhibition #streetphotography #abobo #abidjan #cotedivoir
#bw #bnw #bnwfineart #bnwfineartphotography #blackandwhitephoto #bnwgreatshots #bnwphoto #bnwdrama #leica #artfilter #siyahbeyazfoto #siyahbeyazfotograf by @bwkayal

Impressions from the Africa Foto Fair pre-opening event at the French Institute in Abidjan, Ivory Coast 31 October 2024. .
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#bnwfineartphotography #bnwgreatshots #bnw_drama #bnw_lightandshadow #siyahbeyazfoto #bnw_demand #bw_addiction #f22bestphoto #bnw_greatshots #bnw_artstyle #bnw_rose #wegalleryphotos #inspiredeye #schwarzweiss #monochromephotography #magicofvisuals #framesmag #grainmagazine #eyeshotmag #eyephotomagazine #artdocmagazine #Incrediblebnw #bnwzone #bnw_planet_2024 #lensculture #leica #artist__unknown by @bwkayal

This is Alex. I have met him on the street in Mainz while he was performing. He is a member of a trio that will release their debut EP tonight. I wish him and his band good luck! @stitchesakaalex @sharpened.lives
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#bnwfineartphotography #bnwgreatshots #bnw_drama #bnw_lightandshadow #siyahbeyazfoto #bnw_demand #bw_addiction #f22bestphoto #bnw_greatshots #bnw_artstyle #bnw_rose #wegalleryphotos #inspiredeye #schwarzweiss #monochromephotography #magicofvisuals #framesmag #grainmagazine #eyeshotmag #eyephotomagazine #artdocmagazine #Incrediblebnw #bnwzone #bnw_planet_2024 #lensculture #leica #artist__unknown by @bwkayal