Life Of Others
Five Keys To Flexible Photography
​​# 1 ​Tap into your natural aptitude
I am a highly sensitive person. Ever since I remember myself it's been quite easy for me to step into another character's shoes and start walking in them. To see the world through their eyes.
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As a kid, I was educated by my parents to be considerate. I remember facing my mother with a football in one hand and holding an ice cream cone in the other. Before I went downstairs she would remind me, "eat it thoughtfully if you are around other kids, some don't get this kind of treat".
Society's norms in Israel of the 80's have also nourished my sensitivity. I recall reading signs like: "Be thoughtful it’s siesta time", and being reproached by an angry adult when violating it. The selfie was not born yet...
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For many years I hided my sensitivity, as I listened to my father's advice. Often in our chats, he would recommend me to "close my eyes" and not see everything all the time. I love my dear father and highly respect his wisdom from which I've learned so much. However, I also learned that not every piece of advice that was given to me was applicable to my needs.
I actually never felt comfortable with this tip and have always debated: how and why should I dim an inner light I was given? In a moment of clarity I realized that his advice was fed by the pain he has witnessed in his career as a psychologist. He simply didn't want me to get hurt.
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This combination of the conflict and insight have taught me that sometimes, a natural born gift that we carry is similar to a jar with a nectar that simply looks for an empty cup to fill. It needs to find the right platform in which it will be funneled productively and smoothly.
Like most beautiful moves in life, I didn't even notice that this skill of mine has found its safe house: my photography. The first set of images in the flexibility page host shots from multiple eye-sights.
# 2 ​Trust your imagination and use it to trigger the viewers'
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​I am a very imaginary person. As a kid I loved reading books and today I train my imagination through reading and writing. Thanks to my healthy imagination, I'm capable of leaving my point of view and "seeing" other characters around me, and moreover try to visualize their life-story. The result is often photos or a set of photos which tell a story, some of which are presented in the Flexibility Page. Click here if you are curios to see the image that this nice old lady saw and read the story behind it.
# 3 ​Rely on you visual arts natural born skills
​Another element which contributes to my flexibility is my ability to perceive spatial relationships. Most people who practice visual arts, interpret graphs or put together puzzles hold this skill.
I'm a late bloomer as a photographer. I only began shooting photos professionally aged 39. Yet, I was excellent at putting puzzles together since I was four, and in solving spatial Geometry at age 16...Funny, how natural born skills are often hidden to their carriers and covered with so many layers.
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The photo of Williams in the Australian Open is a prime example of spatial relationship in an image. Through this unique cropping I tried to convey the viewers with the unspoken relationship between the player, the fans, ball boys (and girls), and the innovative camera. I felt that combining these four will be a great method to deliver the intensity of the moment: the end moment between points. Adding the audio element alongside the written explanation, provides another dimension and depth of the relationships.
# 4 Generate movement
​Traveling generates movement. It gives a fresh perspective. Here is my story on movement and traveling.
# 5 ​​Bend the rules & challenge conformity
​Ever since I can remember, I have a tendency to swim against the tide. Thus it is not a surprise that I ended up teaching creativity...I import this practice to my photography in several ways.
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For example, I love rotating the camera in 45 degrees and thus bypassing the horizontal or vertical "limitation".
My "bad boy" approach also provides me with greater leeway in the post production stage. Thus I don't restrict myself to conventional aspect ratios, rather to my free will of imagination.
In my work I hope to incite the viewers’ viewpoints, and trigger them to see more surrounding opportunities.