The technique of light painting has always intrigued me, and I knew I wanted to try my hand at it in the desert due to the unique lighting and wide open landscapes. I hope the photo invokes a sense of awe or wonder in the viewer. While light painting is most definitely an emerging photographic practice and technique, many people are likely still at a loss as to how the look is achieved.
I was inspired to take this photo because of the coloring in the tent. The lighting was beautiful. Also, I was captivated by the gold of the coffee pot and how engaged everyone was. I hope people take away the beauty in the small things. When I look at the photo I focus on the warmth of the lighting. I feel like it really depicts the atmosphere of community and togetherness.
It was a spontaneous moment: I was sightseeing in Akko when I saw a few young boys standing on a ledge separating them from the sea far below. We caught each other's attention just as one of the boys was beginning to run to jump off the ledge into the sparkling water. I quickly adjusted my camera, I knew this would be a memorable shot. I hope people will grasp the breathtaking beauty of Israel and the strong sense of community I felt with everyone I met in my time there.
As we arrived at the cemetery there was a large group of Israeli soldiers about to enter the site as well. Although my Taglit-Birthright Israel group and the soldiers are similar in age, I thought about the contrast in our lifestyles as I snapped this photograph. I want people to think about differences. In Israel it is the reality to serve for your country and fight for a home for the Jewish people. Being at the memorial site really put that in perspective for my Taglit-Birthright Israel group. We began as tourists who quickly became deeply connected with Israel through these experiences.
Upon leaving Yad Vashem, I noticed a row of Israel Defense Force soldiers sitting next to each other looking over the Jerusalem landscape. It was an inspiring moment that I did not hesitate to capture. I hope that people view this photo and take away an understanding of the dedication and pride that Israelis have for their country. This image captures a moment in which a number of young Israel Defense Force soldiers have taken some time to reflect on everything they learned at Yad Vashem that day. Though their immediate mission is to defend the State of Israel, in a way, it is also their duty to honor and uphold the memory of those who were victims of the Holocaust.
On our hike my group took a moment to take in our surroundings. Considering this was our first full day in Israel, all of us were filled with overwhelming excitement. As I found my spot on a rock overlooking the hills, flowers and a small stream, sitting a few feet in front of me were these two dragonflies. Of course wanting to take in as much as possible, I snapped a photo. I feel this picture shows that even the little things have just as much beauty as the vast nature that everyone sees. By taking a second to stop and look at what else is present there is so much more to find.
By the time we reached the top of Masada we were exhausted (in a fulfilled and great way), which allowed us to just be present and in the moment with each other. It was like being able to be a kid again; trouble-free, innocent, playful, blowing bubbles and just enjoying the time. In the reflection of the bubbles you can see the sun beginning to rise over the horizon, representing this idea of being able to start over every day, to reclaim who you are and how you are going to interact with the world, while still embracing your roots. I took this photo because it represented a moment I never want to forget. A moment in which I realized that no matter how small we are in size compared to the universe, the impact we have on the people around us is infinite. I hope that people will see that what it "means" to be Jewish looks different to each individual person. It runs on a spectrum, much like the LGBTQ community, and you get to decide where you want to live on that spectrum. And regardless of where that is, you will always have a community around you.
Even though it was a sad atmosphere and setting, something told me to look up to the light. I was inspired by the natural shape of the light that looks like the Star of David [Magen David].
With a photographic eye, I was able to capture the individual pieces coming together as a whole, just as the members on this trip came together as one. My hope is that the observer shares my vision of individuals coming together and creating beauty as one.
I took this photo right after we had our first experience at the Kotel, better known as the Western Wall. It was such an overwhelming moment for everyone, so when we were leaving, I saw the photo right in front of me and grabbed my camera to capture the moment. Taglit-Birthright Israel, to me, it is an open door, a link between the past and the future and mostly the opportunity of getting to know amazing people.
Following a muezzin call, the Acre market came to a halt. Within less than a minute the market emptied out. Small business owners and clerks were on their way to their prayer, leaving tourists behind. Sunrise, sunset. Taking a break to refresh one's mind may be vital. Concerns should be put on hold every once in a while.
My Taglit-Birthright Israel trip was inspiring, unifying, and transformative.
The different textures the salt took all within one small area [at the Dead Sea Salt Flats] were incredible. I set out to capture all of the various forms and paid for it with many cuts as I knelt down in some razor sharp salt to get this photo.
The feeling I that I got from being at the Western Wall was like an intrusion upon private prayer. I grew up hearing about the Wall in Hebrew school and to be there in person was surreal. As a photographer, I am naturally an observer, and it is because of this that I felt like an intruder upon private prayer. I wanted to capture the feeling of this to give the viewer a voyeuristic perspective upon a special, private moment of prayer amongst the women, or this one particular woman, at the wall.
I captured this moment in a flurry of shots. I was inspired by these girls, their headscarves, and my inability to see their faces. I hope people take away the multitude of identities that constitute Israeli society and a new appreciation for who Israel is.
The lighting and contrast between the foreground and background greatly inspired me to take this photo. As I was walking with my group, I saw the contrast between the silhouettes of my fellow Taglit-Birthright Israel members against the backdrop of housing as I looked across the railing. There was movement, there was the sense of excitement in the air and what is shown in the background are concrete structures. However, a unity is felt between the two; there is a contrast of light, a contrast of symbols, but the foreground and background are depicting life as a whole. When people look at this photograph, I hope they feel the separation between the foreground silhouettes and background housing and come to the realization that it is all one.
The optical illusion of the "Wake A Mish" fountain was breathtaking, and at the moment the photo was taken, the square was empty. It made me feel so small, and that my wish would come true. Things are not always as they appear. Also, make a wish every day.
As we stood there quietly listening to the tour guide explain a few facts and tell us a few stories, for once on the trip…it was quiet. Most of the people on the trip came from big cities like Los Angeles and had not had an opportunity to see the stars like they did that night. There is so much beauty in every corner of this world, sometimes we just need to open our eyes, take a breather from our crazy lives and enjoy the beauty of mother nature and…life itself.
My inspiration for these photographs stemmed from the unity that I shared with the 46 other unique individuals I met and traveled with, as well as the beauty of the culture that I was experiencing.
This photo was taken on the second day of our journey. We were up north in the GoIan Heights hiking. I saw this perfectly preserved dead flower in front of the building; blossomed beautifully with a piece of tissue stuck to it. I left the group and walked towards the flower, only to discover the building afterwards. It was a very organic moment. We had just heard about the shelling coming over during the war and the prevalence of leftover land mines in the area.The way the light was peeking through the door and the rubble was left untouched, the silence of the space just spoke to me. It was haunting. The ghosts of war are ever present, especially in architecture and this was one of those moments where you wonder — what have these walls seen? What story could they tell? The scars still exist, yet light still has the opportunity to shine in.
I had seen pictures of people reading in the Dead Sea before, and thought this seemed like a fun thing to do. Upon seeing the photo, my dad laughed at me for a while…I hope they [the viewers] take away how amazing the Dead Sea is — that you really do float effortlessly, effortlessly enough that you can put on mascara at the same time.
I liked the feeling of rest and tranquility. I hope we all can feel the same peace that I felt during those desert walks. It [Taglit-Birthright Israel] was an incredible experience where I got to know many places of which I always studied, read and viewed videos and photographs. I had the opportunity to be in places that felt totally distant and impossible to reach. The trip helped me to connect with Israel.
The beauty of this photo is that it all happened spontaneously. A guy in my group started waving his Israeli flag just as we were regrouping to leave Masada and I caught the flag in the midst of waving just before the sun had fully risen. I hope people see the beauty and more importantly, the power of Israel.
I cannot pin down what exactly inspired the photo. To me, photography is an immediate reaction. I am more interested in capturing real, human moments than I am in setting up posed pictures. I was so humbled walking through the Old City and thinking about the history surrounding me — how much this particular area means so much to so many people. It has been a place of tremendous loss and horrific conflict and yet, brought immense joy to so many others. Here are three kids playing in an alley — oblivious to all of that. They could be Israeli or Palestinian, maybe both. It doesn’t matter. There is innocence and purity that comes along with being a child that’s captured in this picture.
I liked that it was not official art in a museum; it was simply a poster on the street, just the background of the everyday life, which somehow still made a strong impression on me. The different layers of it; the not-so-important poster on a random street with advertisements all around, which, in its core, tells a story about growing old together with someone, a lifetime journey with that person.
I hope people can see something that they wouldn’t have considered stereotypically Israeli, be inspired by it, and change their preconceptions of a place. These two pictures, to me, represent two polar opposites in urban landscape in Israel. I enjoy capturing all facets of my travels — to me, the beauty is very subjective. Something that to one person may appear run down, to me represents a layered landscape of vibrant life.
(Photo 1 of 2)
I hope people can see something that they wouldn’t have considered stereotypically Israeli, be inspired by it, and change their preconceptions of a place. These two pictures, to me, represent two polar opposites in urban landscape in Israel. I enjoy capturing all facets of my travels — to me, the beauty is very subjective. Something that to one person may appear run down, to me represents a layered landscape of vibrant life.
(Photo 2 of 2)
I saw this beautiful moment and wanted to save it. I hope people will take away a sense of calm and peace. But also to feel like they should probably go back to Israel soon.
The highway sign was my original inspiration, particularly because it was my first time seeing signs with the English, Arabic and Hebrew translations, as well as because it pointed out the proximity of the two cities I was most excited to see at the start of my trip. I hope that people will see this photo and either understand or reminisce upon the initial feelings of leaving the airport and truly entering Israel for the first time.
One morning, my group was touring the Old City and I saw this little boy on the rooftop where we were standing. He was using the space as well as the adjacent roofs it as a playground. He was climbing on fences, sliding through bars and just generally having a great time. I waited for him to get close enough to our group and this magical moment happened. I hope people will connect with the innocent and joyful moment captured in this image. I hope that people will enjoy the juxtaposition of the ancient, historical background with the universal moment of simply being a kid.
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