By: Meaghan Roland Photo by: Mark Peacock
“Coming Home,” a photography exhibit featuring the work of 2010 Milligan College alumnus Michael Kaal, opened in the
Milligan Art Gallery (lower level, Derthick Hall) during Homecoming weekend. This exhibit highlights the beautiful East Tennessee landscape that Kaal once again calls “home.”
Though originally from Arizona, Kaal recently returned to this area after marrying Heather Exline, a 2013 Milligan alumna, currently in the Occupational Therapy Program. This exhibit therefore is a collaboration of his work over the past five months of the local landscape mixed with photos from Kaal’s pervious home state.
Popular Tennessee landscapes displayed include Watauga Lake, Cades Cove, Unaka Mountain, Blue Hole, Rocky Fork, Laurel Falls, Gray, Tenn. and Laurel Run Park.
“When I take a nice photo it is exciting,” said Kaal, “but the best experiences are when the photo exceeds my expectations.”
The first step for Kaal is to visualize what a photo could look like, and then find a location that will give him his desired shot.
“I’m a perpetual optimist,” states Kaal, “Every time I go somewhere it’s because I think something epic is about to happen like a double rainbow or an unreal sunset.”
Strong photos do not always come easily. Some photos in Kaal’s exhibit were the product of him returning four or five times to a location, or waiting several hours in order to capture the best possible light. Sometimes Kaal was never able to get a final photo from his attempts.
“For me it’s all about persistence,” explained Kaal. “I know that there are special things that are going to happen, and it’s rare, so for me it’s all about being consistent and persistent.”
Though Kaal usually photographs alone, like most photographers he has individuals whom he turns to, to check up on his work and also photograph with. Milligan professor Mark Peacock and local photographer Harold Ross Jr., are two individuals who have greatly influenced and supported Kaal since he began photographing when he was an undergraduate.
“I think Michael’s exhibit shows his deep love for this region, his work ethic, and his tenacity for getting a great shot,” said Mark Peacock. “It truly is an amazing show.”
Kaal hopes to continue to show his work and to document the surrounding landscape, especially areas that are even foreign to most locals. In the spring, he plans to hold a show at the Nelson Art Gallery in downtown Johnson City.
“Coming Home” will stay open until Dec. 6. To see more work by Michael Kaal, or to get in contact with him about a possible photography job, visit www.michaelkaalphotography.com or like his page Michael Kaal Photography on Facebook.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aB3Upqtriw&feature=youtu.be
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