  Data on the reaction $\gamma p\to K^+\Lambda$ from the CLAS experiments are
used to derive the leading multipoles, $E_{0+}$, $M_{1-}$, $E_{1+}$, and
$M_{1+}$, from the production threshold to 2180\,MeV in 24 slices of the
invariant mass. The four multipoles are determined without any constraints. The
multipoles are fitted using a multichannel $L+P$ model which allows us to
search for singularities and to extract the positions of poles on the complex
energy plane in an almost model-independent method. The multipoles are also
used as additional constraints in an energy-dependent analysis of a large body
of pion and photo-induced reactions within the Bonn-Gatchina (BnGa) partial
wave analysis. The study confirms the existence of poles due to nucleon
resonances with spin-parity $J^P = 1/2^-; 1/2^+$, and $3/2^+$ in the region at
about 1.9\,GeV.
