https://ilanwittenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_7411-Edit.jpg483725Ilan Wittenberghttps://ilanwittenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Ilan-Wittenberg-Logo-version-4.jpgIlan Wittenberg2016-06-07 21:29:272023-04-15 13:44:47Talk at Bare Truth Opening Event
See a striking collection of images of bare-chested Kiwi men
Auckland Council, Tuesday 31 May 2016
Bare Truth – Auckland Festival of Photography
One of the key aims of photographer Ilan Wittenberg’s ‘Bare Truth’ campaign was to counter-balance the portrayal of men as strong, physically and emotionally.
“This stereotype sometime leads to dire outcomes when considering how poorly typical men treat health symptoms such as depression, stress and anxiety,” he says.
“I wanted to raise awareness; give men the freedom to express their feelings and connect with their emotions. This fresh look at men is an eye-opening opportunity to see real people without the ‘shield’ of clothes. The project simply reminds us of how fragile we are.”
The combination of shooting in monochrome, using soft, directional light and adopting a special post-processing technique allowed Wittenberg to enhance the features of his ‘models’ so that the images are raw and crisp. The simple backgrounds eliminate distractions so the viewer can focus on their body language and facial expression.
The biggest challenge was finding the first man to agree to pose. After a few rejections, Wittenberg created portraits of close friends and family members. As the portfolio expanded, he formalised a consistent style and became confident in approaching strangers – men who had an interesting appearance or whose face told a story.
“While some men are very comfortable with having their portrait created, others feel this is completely outside their comfort zone, particularly when asked to strip down to the waist. One man expected the experience to be therapeutic while others were slightly nervous. The results show a captivating mix of men that are humble, courageous and vulnerable.”
The project gained momentum after selected prints from the body of work won awards in the Portrait Classic category of the 2015 Iris Awards from the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography. ‘Bare Truth’ was also selected to be an Associated Exhibition at the 2016 Head On photo festival in Sydney.
Photographer Ilan Wittenberg exposes the Bare Truth in portrait exhibition
BRITT MANN
Last updated 05:00, May 22 2016
‘Attitude”, a portrait from Ilan Wittenberg’s latest exhibition, Bare Truth.
A former drug addict, a burns victim and a burly builder are hardly typical male models.
But these men – and around 100 more – are the subjects of an Auckland photographer’s latest exhibition.
Ilan Wittenberg began his project, Bare Truth, a year ago, with an idea to portray New Zealand men as they truly are.
‘Pukana’, a portrait from Ilan Wittenberg’s latest exhibition, Bare Truth.
Bare-chested, blemished, scarred, and tattooed, the men’s histories are etched on their skin. One of the men had received skin grafts as a child – a pot of boiling jelly had ended up on his chest. Another has a prayer inked onto his arm.
“It’s interesting where people find strength,” Wittenberg says.
At first, his subjects were friends and family (Wittenberg’s 21-year-old son is among the men featured in the exhibition).
‘LOKADIE’, a portrait from Ilan Wittenberg’s latest exhibition, Bare Truth.
But as his collection and his confidence grew, Wittenberg began approaching strangers on the street. Market-goers, roadworkers, hedge-trimmers – any man who looks like he might have a story to tell.
“Out of every 10, four say ‘no’, four say ‘maybe’, two say ‘yes’, and one shows up.”
Wittenberg spent an hour speaking with the men before they went in front of the camera, asking them about their families, jobs, and the tales behind their tattoos.
The first photograph was of a friend who’d resisted participating in the project until the day before he departed New Zealand forever.
“He wasn’t very tidy – not scruffy, but he didn’t take great care of himself,” Wittenberg says of the man.
“In the photograph, you will see he puts his hand up to chest and he touches his heart… he has a little bit of sadness in his eyes.
“I thought, ‘this is real’.”
Wittenberg has about 100 photographs in the Bare Truth collection. Each of his subjects received an A4 copy of their photo, as thanks.
‘Skulls’, a portrait from Ilan Wittenberg’s latest exhibition, Bare Truth.
Some of the men were happy with the result, others felt confronted by the image.
“They didn’t actually show it to their wives, because they never saw themselves that way,” Wittenberg says.
The series is inspired by the work of famed photographers Robert Mapplethorpe and Platon. Shot before a blank background and converted into monochrome, the photographs depict a stark spectrum of Kiwi masculinity.
“When people look straight into the camera they actually look at the person on the other side, they look at the person who views them, and you can read their eye, you can actually see their soul – that’s what I felt.”
Bare Truth is Wittenberg’s third exhibition this year, showing in Sydney earlier this month, and in Auckland in June.
While images of topless women have become cliches of Western society, there’s something about a photo of a shirtless man – unretouched – which makes observers take a closer look.
“We see thousands of photos every day – on social media, in magazines, on tv, on the internet, billboards – and we ignore…” Wittenberg says.
“If you go to an exhibition, it’s not like looking at something on the computer… you stand in front of a photograph… and you let it talk to you.”
Visitors to the Sydney exhibition offered a range of interpretations, Wittenberg says.
“They say this person is looking very confident, very strong. And that person looks a bit… shy, and that person looks dangerous like, I wouldn’t want to meet that guy down a dark alley or something like that.
“It’s so interesting how in a fraction of a second we judge other people, even when they’re not there, just based on their body language – their eyes, their shoulders.”
But Wittenberg hopes the exhibition will also raise awareness of men’s health issues. Without a shirt, it’s difficult to hide the hallmarks of past surgeries, or chemotherapy.
And the camera offers insight into the soul.
“When people look straight into the camera they actually look at the person on the other side, they look at the person who views them,” Wittenberg says.
“You can read their eye, you can see their soul – that’s what I felt.”
Wittenberg emigrated from Israel with his wife and two children in 2001. The North Shore resident had been working as a business analyst before he took up portrait photography full time in 2011.
While portraits pay the bills, the Bare Truth project was a labour done for love, not money.
Quoting business leader Stephen Covey, Wittenberg says: “We’re here to live, to laugh, to love and to leave a legacy.”
“We’re not getting any younger… my legacy is about pictures I do.”
Bare Truth will be exhibited at Northart gallery in Northcote, Auckland from June 5 – 22. Admission is free.
The exhibition will also feature in the 2016 Auckland Festival of Photography.
– Stuff
https://ilanwittenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/DSC02446-Edit.jpg6831024Ilan Wittenberghttps://ilanwittenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Ilan-Wittenberg-Logo-version-4.jpgIlan Wittenberg2016-05-22 20:27:582018-04-16 18:49:05Bare Truth in Stuff
Before Ilan Wittenberg became an award winning photographer, he worked in the corporate world, with a bachelor of science in industrial engineering up his sleeve.
“Four years ago I was made redundant and was contemplating whether or not to get back into the industry,” he explained.
“I just wasn’t as engaged as I used to be with my work, so I thought I could try pursuing my hobby of photography.”
The photo extraordinaire said he wouldn’t have been able to make the career change without the motivation and support from his wife and close mentors.
“I stand on the shoulders of giants. I’ve learnt a lot and I couldn’t have done it without my beautiful wife,” he said.
“When I migrated from Israel to New Zealand in 2001 with my wife and children, I had a dream to become a man who would make a mark on this earth.
“Motivational speaker Stephen Covey once said ‘Live, love, laugh and leave a Legacy’, for me, photography is a way to leave my legacy.”
Mr Wittenberg will exhibit an assortment of 97 portraits, titled Bare Truth, at the Gaffa Gallery from May 12 to 28.
“Bare Truth is a captivating collection of portraits of New Zealand men who are humble, courageous and vulnerable,” he said.
“Their photographs expose and reveal who they really are and their edgy portraits are presented in monochrome to emphasize their shape and form.
“The combination of using a soft, directional light while adapting a special post-processing technique, enables me to enhance their features so the images are raw and crisp. They look directly into my camera so there is always a highlight in their eyes.”
Mr Wittenberg explained the idea of creating portraits of men who exposed their chest evolved gradually.
“The biggest challenge was finding the first man to agree to pose topless.
“After a few rejections and setbacks, I created a portrait of a close friend and became really engaged with the look in his eyes,” he added.
“Many cultures portray men as strong, physically and emotionally. This stereotype sometime leads to dire outcomes when considering how poorly typical men treat health symptoms, depression, stress and anxiety.”
He said one of the biggest goals for his project was to raise awareness and to give men freedom to express their feelings and connect to their emotions.
“This fresh look at men is an eye opening opportunity to see the real people without the ‘shield’ of clothes.
“We are all flesh and blood and we are here on this planet for a short period of time. This project simply reminds us of how fragile we are.
“It takes us just one-tenth of a second to judge someone and make a first impression, so it’s fascinating to see how quickly we form our opinion, based solely on physical appearance.”
Bare Truth gained further momentum after selected prints won prestigious awards at the Portrait Classic category of the 2015 Iris Awards form the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography.
The collection was then chosen to be exhibited as an Associate at the 2016 Head On Photo Festival, which will run until May 29, as well as the 2016 Auckland Festival of Photography.
“It’s been said that photography is the easiest medium of art to be competent in but it’s the hardest medium in which to have a truly personal vision,” Mr Wittenberg said.
“It’s very much like talking – everyone can talk but very few have something to say,” he added.
When asked what his overall goal was for the collection he replied: “My goal is to present work that is strong and distinguished with a clear narrative sense. I wish to inspire people with images that are crisp and sharp, to be creative and artistic, to evoke emotions and to show a personal vision.”
Details: Bare Truth will run from May 12 – 28 at Gaffa Gallery, 281 Clarence Street, Sydney.
https://ilanwittenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/IMG_7261-Edit-2.jpg6831024Ilan Wittenberghttps://ilanwittenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Ilan-Wittenberg-Logo-version-4.jpgIlan Wittenberg2016-05-11 20:31:332017-08-25 20:33:18Bare Truth at Gaffa Gallery
https://ilanwittenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_6299-Edit-2.jpg725725Ilan Wittenberghttps://ilanwittenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Ilan-Wittenberg-Logo-version-4.jpgIlan Wittenberg2016-05-08 12:10:122018-04-16 19:26:51Bare Truth on TV3 Story
BARE TRUTH PORTFOLIO IS SET TO TURN HEADS AT HEAD ON PHOTO FESTIVAL
Head On Photo Festival’s Associated programme for 2016 includes at least one show that’s bound to turn heads – a striking collection of monochrome images of bare chested New Zealand men.
One of the key aims of photographer Ilan Wittenberg’s ‘Bare Truth’ campaign was to counter-balance the portrayal of men as strong, physically and emotionally. “This stereotype sometime leads to dire outcomes when considering how poorly typical men treat health symptoms such as depression, stress and anxiety,” he says.
“I wanted to raise awareness; give men the freedom to express their feelings and connect with their emotions. This fresh look at men is an eye-opening opportunity to see real people without the ‘shield’ of clothes. The project simply reminds us of how fragile we are.”
The combination of shooting in monochrome, using soft, directional light and adopting a special post-processing technique allowed Wittenberg to enhance the features of his ‘models’ so that the images are raw and crisp. The simple backgrounds eliminate distractions so the viewer can focus on their body language and facial expression.
The biggest challenge was finding the first man to agree to pose. After a few rejections, Wittenberg created portraits of close friends and family members. As the portfolio expanded, he formalised a consistent style and became confident in approaching strangers – men who had an interesting appearance or whose face told a story.
“While some men are very comfortable with having their portrait created, others feel this is completely outside their comfort zone, particularly when asked to strip down to the waist. One man expected the experience to be therapeutic while others were slightly nervous. The results show a captivating mix of men that are humble, courageous and vulnerable.”
The project gained momentum after selected prints from the body of work won awards in the Portrait Classic category of the 2015 Iris Awards from the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography. ‘Bare Truth’ was also selected for exhibition as part of the Signature Programme of Auckland Festival of Photography.
The show will run from May 12 to 23 at Gaffa gallery in Sydney.
Gaffa Gallery, 281 Clarence St, 2000 Central Sydney, NSW, Australia
Bare Truth is a captivating collection of portraits of New Zealand men who are humble, courageous and vulnerable. Their photographs expose and reveal who they really are. The edgy portraits are presented in monochrome to emphasize their shape and form. The simple background eliminates distractions so the viewer can focus on their body language and facial expression.
The combination of using a soft, directional light while adapting a special post-processing technique enabled me to enhance their features so the images are raw and crisp. They look directly into my camera so there is always a highlight in their eyes.
Many cultures portray men as strong, physically and emotionally. This stereotype sometimes leads to dire outcomes when considering how poorly typical men treat health symptoms, depression, stress and anxiety. One of the goals of this project is to raise awareness; give men freedom to express their feelings and connect to their emotions. This fresh look at men is an eye-opening opportunity to see the real people without the ‘shield’ of clothes.
We are all flesh and blood and we are here on this planet for a short period of time. This project simply reminds us of how fragile we are. In creating this collection I aim to demonstrate a clear style, to tell a story while being imaginative and thought-provoking. I wish to inspire people with distinct images that are crisp and sharp, to be creative and artistic, to evoke emotions and to show a personal vision.
The idea of creating portraits of men who expose their chest evolved gradually. The biggest challenge was finding the first man to agree to pose. After a few rejections and setbacks, I created a portrait of a close friend and became really engaged with the look in his eyes.
At the beginning I asked only family and friends to participate. After gaining valuable experience and formalising a consistent style, I expanded the portfolio and became confident in approaching total strangers. Having a small folio helped in overcoming objections, until the project gained a critical mass with dozens of portraits. I focused on capturing a variety of ethnic groups, poses, age groups and body sizes.
Once the portfolio increased in size, I became more selective and started approaching men who had a more interesting appearance; those whose face tells a story. While some men are very comfortable with having their portrait created, others feel this is completely outside their comfort zone.
The Bare Truth project gained further momentum after selected prints from this body of work won prestigious awards at the Portrait Classic category of the 2015 Iris Awards form the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography as wall as international awards.
The Bare Truth portfolio was later chosen to be exhibited as part of the Signature Programme of the 2016 Auckland Festival of Photography.
This year’s Head on Photo Festival showcases the work of New Zealand photographer Ilan Wittenberg – a new collection of monochrome images of bare-chested New Zealand men.
The Sydney-based international photography exhibition offers a different skew from the standard approach. All work submitted to the festival is judged without the artists’ names or pedigrees so the proposals stand on their merit.
Head on Foundation (est.2008) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the work of photographers at all stages of career, encouraging excellence and innovation, making photography accessible to all and raising awareness of important issues through photography.
One of Wittenberg’s objectives in his ‘Bare Truth’ campaign was to counter-balance the portrayal of men as strong, physically and emotionally.
Bare Truth is a collection of portraits of New Zealand men who are humble, courageous and vulnerable. Their photographs expose and reveal who they really are. They look directly into the camera so there is always a highlight in their eyes.
Wittenberg says it’s all about challenging stereotypes and presenting his subjects in a way that allows the viewer to think and reflect on issues like strength, power and emotion. Stereotypical perceptions of strength and well-being can be problematic according to Wittenberg.
“Stereotype sometimes leads to dire outcomes when considering how poorly typical men treat health symptoms such as depression, stress and anxiety,” Wittenberg says.
Wittenberg’s photographs are created to drive awareness and to offer men the freedom to express their feelings and connect with their emotions. Wittenberg says: “ This fresh look at men is an eye-opening opportunity to see real people without the ‘shield’ of clothes. The project simply reminds us of how fragile we are.”
The combination of shooting in monochrome, using soft, directional light and utilising special post-processing technique allowed Wittenberg to enhance features of his ‘model’s so the images appear raw and crisp. His use of simple backgrounds allows the viewer to focus on the body language and facial expression of his subject.
Initially, Wittenberg asked only family and friends to participate, but after sometime expanded his portfolio and began approaching total strangers.
The photographer then focused on capturing a variety of ethnic groups, poses, age groups and body sizes. He says: “it’s the set of photos that makes the collection engaging.”
Exhibition details:
Ilan Wittenberg – Bare Truth
Head On Photo Festival – Associated Exhibition Where:
Gaffa gallery, 281 Clarence Street, Sydney
When:
May 12 to 23, Mon-Fri 10am to 6pm, Sat 11am to 5pm Opening event: Thursday 12 May 6pm
Artist talk: Saturday 14 May 12pm
https://ilanwittenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/DSC6219-Edit-edit-1.jpg12801919Ilan Wittenberghttps://ilanwittenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Ilan-Wittenberg-Logo-version-4.jpgIlan Wittenberg2016-04-22 20:33:592017-08-25 20:35:48Head On Photo Festival
Auckland’s North Shore currently features an exhibition of topless men — but it’s not what you think.
Bare Truth is a collection of 40 black and white photos of men showing their vulnerability and their pride.
For Dave Grant, it was picturing him as he’d never been pictured before, as he was once certainly not be proud of his body.
“When I was very young I got quite a large burn on my chest and I’ve hidden it,” he says.
“This is the first photo that’s ever been taken of me like this and I’ve just turned 50, so it’s taken a while for me to get here. This is a very healing process.”
Mr Grant’s wife volunteered him for the shoot and he’s grateful.
“I think this is a therapeutic step so that hey, I’m going out there but hey, this is who I am, this is really me,” he says.
And Mr Grant is not the only one baring his soul for the first time. Photographer Ilan Wittenberg found many with life’s battle scars.
“And when they take their shirt off I suddenly discovered all these tattoos that remind them to be clean of drugs, or remind them of loved ones who have died or simply huge scars of a triple bypass or chemotherapy or some operation they went through.
“It simply reminds them of how fragile we are,” Wittenberg says.
“I think it’s important that men are shown to be vulnerable and not just, you know, big tough guys. That you get your kit off and you bare yourself, you expose yourself in a different kind of way.”
John Botton is a photographer too, a friend of Wittenberg’s; not always the proud man staring back at the lens, but rather someone who had to fight to get noticed.
“I had acne as a child so I did have a self-image problem, and looking at myself in the portrait now I’m quite proud of myself,” he says.
“I think I’ve earned my scars and they look good.”
Wittenberg has a portfolio of more than 100 photographs, but it took time and courage for subjects to agree.
“Four people said no to me, four said maybe and two said yes but only one showed up, so that’s the statistics behind this,” he says.
But there’s a serious message too: men should embrace their vulnerability and not feel any stigma in asking for help, emotionally or for their health.
“They show courage they’re proud of their bodies, they feel comfortable in their own skin even though some are not as lean or muscular, this is beautiful,” Wittenberg says.
The exhibition continues at Northart Gallery for another two weeks.
Newshub.
Bare Truth – Auckland Festival of Photography
Ilan Wittenberg – Bare Truth
Northart Gallery • 5 June – 22 June
Opens 4:00pm on Sunday 5 June Hours 10am-4pm daily Where Norman King Square (Opposite the Library), Ernie Mays Street,Northcote Shopping Centre
Bare Truth is a captivating collection of portraits of New Zealand men who are humble, courageous and vulnerable. Presented in monochrome to emphasize their shape and form, the simple background eliminates distractions so the viewer can focus on their body language and facial expression. Using soft, directional light and adopting a special post-processing technique enhances the men’s features, creating images that are edgy, raw and crisp. The Bare Truth portfolio was chosen to be exhibited at the 2016 Head On Photo Festival in Sydney and has won national and international awards.Artist talk: Sunday 12 June at 2pm
https://ilanwittenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Bare-Truth-in-OurAuckland.jpg617785Ilan Wittenberghttps://ilanwittenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Ilan-Wittenberg-Logo-version-4.jpgIlan Wittenberg2016-04-06 00:00:002021-10-09 08:39:21Bare Truth Exhibition
Welcome to Festival Zone for February 2016. We are excited to share a small preview of the 2016 Festival programme. Throughout the months since announcing the dates for 2016 we have been researching, planning and firming up the New Zealand and international line up for this year. We are proud to have exclusive, first time presentations of new work, new artists as well as celebrated internationally acclaimed work.
Ilan Wittenberg: Travis from ‘Bare Truth‘ – part of the 2016 Auckland Festival of Photography in June, and part of our international partners Head On Photo Festival programme in Sydney this year. Ilan’s work was portfolio reviewed in last year’s edition which motivated him on the path to realise this year’s exhibition in our Festival and in Head On Photo Festival. We are excited to showcase Ilan this year. Full programme is launched in April.
https://ilanwittenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Auckland-Festival-of-Photography-Bare-Truth.jpg969765Ilan Wittenberghttps://ilanwittenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Ilan-Wittenberg-Logo-version-4.jpgIlan Wittenberg2016-02-03 00:00:002016-02-03 00:00:00Bare Truth Exhibition
A suite of 27 photographs that look at some of the personalities who operate as vendors in the four quarters (Muslim, Jewish, Armenian, Christian) within the Old City of Jerusalem, Ilan Wittenberg’s images are characterised by density of detail, spectacular acuity and lots of tonal midrange. Almost everything is in focus, there is very little bright white, and the eye is caressed as it wanders across the print’s surface. Even with the deep perspective of (say) receding shelves, the plethora of detail flattens and accentuates the picture plane.
For those of us who have never visited this city, these photographs pack in a lot of information, such as the types of product being sold, the market being pitched to, the ethnic traditions of the shopkeepers, the architectural backgrounds around each stall and materials used. We see (for example) pistachios, hookahs, oils, prayer beads, gas cylinders, images of saints, plates, busts, incense, brass gongs, bells, tobacco, tea, tunics, smocks, lamps, and plaques – a vast range of easy-to-transport (instantly purchasable) merchandise. Here is a selection of Wittenberg’s images with this link.
It is the fineness of the detail, an intricacy of each particular documented element that fascinates, a compactness that is without graininess or blur, that density providing clarity.
While about three-quarters of the images feature vendors (most indoors, one outside), there are also a few street shots of people out and about, like a boy with a cart, or a nun crossing the street. The titles however are pretty non-descript and it is a shame they don’t include the subjects’ names, so that the cultural mix is made even more immediately apparent and we can get more specific information about their stories.
Somehow there is something missing with this show. These are terrific images that are loaded with information you can extract (if you are familiar with the city), but a few details in the titles – identifying each person and each site – would have made it so much richer for a New Zealand audience. Less touristy and shallow. Less voyeuristic. More contextual.
John Hurrell
Ilan Wittenberg — Faces of Jerusalem: An Interfaith Journey
Faces of Jerusalem — An Interfaith Journey runs from February 20th until 1st May.
Ilan says: “Faces of Jerusalem is a compelling collection of photographs. This documentary portfolio offers a journey to the Old City through its people. Their proud portraits reflect the rich culture and turbulent history of Jerusalem. Created during January 2015, it presents a glimpse into their lives. The different merchants are surrounded by their products. The souvenirs are intended for tourists and pilgrims who walk the ancient, narrow streets while visiting some of the holiest and most sacred religious temples in the world.
In many cases I was able to talk to the merchants so they are looking straight at me with a natural expression. I find that this results in more engaging portraits than candid photography. Most photos were taken in ambient light without flash or tripod so to create a more authentic scene.
The images are presented in monochrome which emphasizes shape and form. The sepia tone creates a timeless atmosphere while eliminating distracting colours. This makes the set more uniform regardless of the light or the time of day. It helps in focusing viewers’ attention on the people, their body language and their facial expressions. It also gives me the opportunity to create dramatic images using contrast and structure.
My goal in creating this portfolio is to show an authentic view of a foreign land. I aim to demonstrate a clear style, to tell a story while being imaginative and thought-provoking. I wish to inspire people with distinct images that are crisp and sharp, to be creative and artistic, to evoke emotions and to show a personal vision.”
Te Uru states: “The turbulent politics affecting prominent cities like Jerusalem can often have depersonalising effects, whereby the people who live there become secondary to the tug of war over the spaces they occupy. In this series of photographs, Ilan Wittenberg provides us with a rehumanised look at the Old City of Jerusalem, which occupies less than one square kilometer. The images feature proud merchants from across all four quadrants of the Old City: the Muslim Quarter, the Jewish Quarter, the Armenian Quarter and the Christian Quarter. Together, they offer a portrait of the city as one occupied by real people eking out a living from day-to-day transactions in places densely packed with culture and history.
  Wittenberg was awarded the title of 2015 Auckland Photographer of the Year by the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography for this body of work.”
Don’t miss the compelling new monochrome-style photography exhibition from Auckland photographer of the year, Ilan Wittenberg
By: Natalie Cyra Photographer: Ilan Wittenberg Published: Wed 24 Feb 2016
Ilan Wittenberg’s collection of monochrome, documentary-style images are on display now until May 1 at West Auckland’s Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery. Earlier last year Wittenberg, who was born in Israel, made a special journey to Jerusalem to capture on film portraits of some of the many residents and merchants of the Old City who had captivated him on previous trips.
It is this collection of photographs from Wittenberg’s visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site that contributed to him winning the NZIPP 2015 Auckland Photographer of the Year award.
Wittenberg spent days exploring the winding, cobbled streets and tiny, dimly lit shops of the Muslim, Jewish, Armenian and Christian quarters and capturing a range of people going about their daily lives.
It was the city’s merchants that Wittenberg was particularly drawn to. Explaining why, Wittenberg says “many people are not happy, you can see that, but that’s for good reasons: the economy is down. There are very few customers and very little foot traffic because there is a lot of stress in the streets. Wars, religious tension and the ongoing political conflict scare the tourists away.”
But Wittenberg was welcomed by the merchants after introducing himself as a Kiwi – (he has been a New Zealander since arriving in 2001). He chose to present the prints in monochrome to eliminate distracting colours and help focus the viewer’s attention on the people, their body language and their expression.
Wittenberg has only been in the photography industry since 2011, but has already won both coveted national and international awards.
Faces of Jerusalem
Faces of Jerusalem – An Interfaith Journey
20 Feb 2016 – 30 Apr 2016
Experience rich culture and turbulent history at the Faces of Jerusalem exhibition.
Beggars and scholars, slaves and warriors have all walked the narrow streets of the Old City of Jerusalem.
In early 2015, Auckland Photographer of the Year Ilan Wittenberg set out to capture the stoic nature of its inhabitants.
The result is a compelling collection of portraits – ‘Faces of Jerusalem’.
This unique documentary portfolio offers a journey to the Old City through its people – their proud portraits reflect the rich culture and turbulent history of Jerusalem.
ILAN WITTENBERG: FACES OF JERUSALEM
The turbulent politics affecting prominent cities like Jerusalem can often have depersonalising effects, whereby the people who live there become secondary to the tug of war over the spaces they occupy. In this series of photographs, Ilan Wittenberg provides us with a rehumanised look at the Old City of Jerusalem, which occupies less than one square kilometer. The images feature proud merchants from across all four quadrants of the Old City: the Muslim Quarter, the Jewish Quarter, the Armenian Quarter and the Christian Quarter. Together, they offer a portrait of the city as one occupied by real people eking out a living from day-to-day transactions in places densely packed with culture and history.
Wittenberg was awarded the title of 2015 Auckland Photographer of the Year by the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography for this body of work.
20 February – 1 May 2016
https://ilanwittenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Our-Auckland-article.jpg1379555Ilan Wittenberghttps://ilanwittenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Ilan-Wittenberg-Logo-version-4.jpgIlan Wittenberg2016-02-03 00:00:002016-02-03 00:00:00Faces of Jerusalem Exhibition
Delighted to win the first place for Faces of Jerusalem in the Documentary Book category of Moscow International Foto Awards 2015. This year the competition received thousands of images from 84 countries. Entries were judged based on originality, creativity, composition and most importantly overall impact!
https://ilanwittenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/mifa-certificate.jpg874612Ilan Wittenberghttps://ilanwittenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Ilan-Wittenberg-Logo-version-4.jpgIlan Wittenberg2015-11-01 00:00:002015-11-01 00:00:00Moscow International Foto Awards 2015
https://ilanwittenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/DSC03847.jpg11741024Ilan Wittenberghttps://ilanwittenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Ilan-Wittenberg-Logo-version-4.jpgIlan Wittenberg2015-10-08 00:00:002021-10-12 08:16:242015 Auckland Photographer Of The Year
WTV interview
Cute Nathan
Talk at Bare Truth Opening Event
Our Auckland
See a striking collection of images of bare-chested Kiwi men
Auckland Council, Tuesday 31 May 2016
Bare Truth – Auckland Festival of Photography
One of the key aims of photographer Ilan Wittenberg’s ‘Bare Truth’ campaign was to counter-balance the portrayal of men as strong, physically and emotionally.
“This stereotype sometime leads to dire outcomes when considering how poorly typical men treat health symptoms such as depression, stress and anxiety,” he says.
“I wanted to raise awareness; give men the freedom to express their feelings and connect with their emotions. This fresh look at men is an eye-opening opportunity to see real people without the ‘shield’ of clothes. The project simply reminds us of how fragile we are.”
The combination of shooting in monochrome, using soft, directional light and adopting a special post-processing technique allowed Wittenberg to enhance the features of his ‘models’ so that the images are raw and crisp. The simple backgrounds eliminate distractions so the viewer can focus on their body language and facial expression.
The biggest challenge was finding the first man to agree to pose. After a few rejections, Wittenberg created portraits of close friends and family members. As the portfolio expanded, he formalised a consistent style and became confident in approaching strangers – men who had an interesting appearance or whose face told a story.
“While some men are very comfortable with having their portrait created, others feel this is completely outside their comfort zone, particularly when asked to strip down to the waist. One man expected the experience to be therapeutic while others were slightly nervous. The results show a captivating mix of men that are humble, courageous and vulnerable.”
The project gained momentum after selected prints from the body of work won awards in the Portrait Classic category of the 2015 Iris Awards from the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography. ‘Bare Truth’ was also selected to be an Associated Exhibition at the 2016 Head On photo festival in Sydney.
Charlie
Bare Truth in Stuff
Photographer Ilan Wittenberg exposes the Bare Truth in portrait exhibition
BRITT MANN
Last updated 05:00, May 22 2016
A former drug addict, a burns victim and a burly builder are hardly typical male models.
But these men – and around 100 more – are the subjects of an Auckland photographer’s latest exhibition.
Ilan Wittenberg began his project, Bare Truth, a year ago, with an idea to portray New Zealand men as they truly are.
“It’s interesting where people find strength,” Wittenberg says.
At first, his subjects were friends and family (Wittenberg’s 21-year-old son is among the men featured in the exhibition).
‘LOKADIE’, a portrait from Ilan Wittenberg’s latest exhibition, Bare Truth.
But as his collection and his confidence grew, Wittenberg began approaching strangers on the street. Market-goers, roadworkers, hedge-trimmers – any man who looks like he might have a story to tell.
“Out of every 10, four say ‘no’, four say ‘maybe’, two say ‘yes’, and one shows up.”
Wittenberg spent an hour speaking with the men before they went in front of the camera, asking them about their families, jobs, and the tales behind their tattoos.
“He wasn’t very tidy – not scruffy, but he didn’t take great care of himself,” Wittenberg says of the man.
“In the photograph, you will see he puts his hand up to chest and he touches his heart… he has a little bit of sadness in his eyes.
“I thought, ‘this is real’.”
Wittenberg has about 100 photographs in the Bare Truth collection. Each of his subjects received an A4 copy of their photo, as thanks.
Some of the men were happy with the result, others felt confronted by the image.
“They didn’t actually show it to their wives, because they never saw themselves that way,” Wittenberg says.
The series is inspired by the work of famed photographers Robert Mapplethorpe and Platon. Shot before a blank background and converted into monochrome, the photographs depict a stark spectrum of Kiwi masculinity.
“When people look straight into the camera they actually look at the person on the other side, they look at the person who views them, and you can read their eye, you can actually see their soul – that’s what I felt.”
Bare Truth is Wittenberg’s third exhibition this year, showing in Sydney earlier this month, and in Auckland in June.
While images of topless women have become cliches of Western society, there’s something about a photo of a shirtless man – unretouched – which makes observers take a closer look.
“We see thousands of photos every day – on social media, in magazines, on tv, on the internet, billboards – and we ignore…” Wittenberg says.
“If you go to an exhibition, it’s not like looking at something on the computer… you stand in front of a photograph… and you let it talk to you.”
Visitors to the Sydney exhibition offered a range of interpretations, Wittenberg says.
“They say this person is looking very confident, very strong. And that person looks a bit… shy, and that person looks dangerous like, I wouldn’t want to meet that guy down a dark alley or something like that.
“It’s so interesting how in a fraction of a second we judge other people, even when they’re not there, just based on their body language – their eyes, their shoulders.”
But Wittenberg hopes the exhibition will also raise awareness of men’s health issues. Without a shirt, it’s difficult to hide the hallmarks of past surgeries, or chemotherapy.
And the camera offers insight into the soul.
“When people look straight into the camera they actually look at the person on the other side, they look at the person who views them,” Wittenberg says.
“You can read their eye, you can see their soul – that’s what I felt.”
Wittenberg emigrated from Israel with his wife and two children in 2001. The North Shore resident had been working as a business analyst before he took up portrait photography full time in 2011.
While portraits pay the bills, the Bare Truth project was a labour done for love, not money.
Quoting business leader Stephen Covey, Wittenberg says: “We’re here to live, to laugh, to love and to leave a legacy.”
“We’re not getting any younger… my legacy is about pictures I do.”
Bare Truth will be exhibited at Northart gallery in Northcote, Auckland from June 5 – 22. Admission is free.
The exhibition will also feature in the 2016 Auckland Festival of Photography.
– Stuff
Exposing men’s hidden side
Exposing men’s hidden side in Bare Truth
Lain Moger
NORTH SHORE TIMES
May 17, 2016
Bare Truth exhibition
Bare Truth at Gaffa Gallery
The ‘Bare Truth’ exhibition at Gaffa Gallery
Before Ilan Wittenberg became an award winning photographer, he worked in the corporate world, with a bachelor of science in industrial engineering up his sleeve.
“Four years ago I was made redundant and was contemplating whether or not to get back into the industry,” he explained.
“I just wasn’t as engaged as I used to be with my work, so I thought I could try pursuing my hobby of photography.”
The photo extraordinaire said he wouldn’t have been able to make the career change without the motivation and support from his wife and close mentors.
“I stand on the shoulders of giants. I’ve learnt a lot and I couldn’t have done it without my beautiful wife,” he said.
“When I migrated from Israel to New Zealand in 2001 with my wife and children, I had a dream to become a man who would make a mark on this earth.
“Motivational speaker Stephen Covey once said ‘Live, love, laugh and leave a Legacy’, for me, photography is a way to leave my legacy.”
Mr Wittenberg will exhibit an assortment of 97 portraits, titled Bare Truth, at the Gaffa Gallery from May 12 to 28.
“Bare Truth is a captivating collection of portraits of New Zealand men who are humble, courageous and vulnerable,” he said.
“Their photographs expose and reveal who they really are and their edgy portraits are presented in monochrome to emphasize their shape and form.
“The combination of using a soft, directional light while adapting a special post-processing technique, enables me to enhance their features so the images are raw and crisp. They look directly into my camera so there is always a highlight in their eyes.”
Mr Wittenberg explained the idea of creating portraits of men who exposed their chest evolved gradually.
“The biggest challenge was finding the first man to agree to pose topless.
“After a few rejections and setbacks, I created a portrait of a close friend and became really engaged with the look in his eyes,” he added.
“Many cultures portray men as strong, physically and emotionally. This stereotype sometime leads to dire outcomes when considering how poorly typical men treat health symptoms, depression, stress and anxiety.”
He said one of the biggest goals for his project was to raise awareness and to give men freedom to express their feelings and connect to their emotions.
“This fresh look at men is an eye opening opportunity to see the real people without the ‘shield’ of clothes.
“We are all flesh and blood and we are here on this planet for a short period of time. This project simply reminds us of how fragile we are.
“It takes us just one-tenth of a second to judge someone and make a first impression, so it’s fascinating to see how quickly we form our opinion, based solely on physical appearance.”
Bare Truth gained further momentum after selected prints won prestigious awards at the Portrait Classic category of the 2015 Iris Awards form the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography.
The collection was then chosen to be exhibited as an Associate at the 2016 Head On Photo Festival, which will run until May 29, as well as the 2016 Auckland Festival of Photography.
“It’s been said that photography is the easiest medium of art to be competent in but it’s the hardest medium in which to have a truly personal vision,” Mr Wittenberg said.
“It’s very much like talking – everyone can talk but very few have something to say,” he added.
When asked what his overall goal was for the collection he replied: “My goal is to present work that is strong and distinguished with a clear narrative sense. I wish to inspire people with images that are crisp and sharp, to be creative and artistic, to evoke emotions and to show a personal vision.”
Details: Bare Truth will run from May 12 – 28 at Gaffa Gallery, 281 Clarence Street, Sydney.
Bare Truth on TV3 Story
Press Release
BARE TRUTH PORTFOLIO IS SET TO TURN HEADS AT HEAD ON PHOTO FESTIVAL
Head On Photo Festival’s Associated programme for 2016 includes at least one show that’s bound to turn heads – a striking collection of monochrome images of bare chested New Zealand men.
One of the key aims of photographer Ilan Wittenberg’s ‘Bare Truth’ campaign was to counter-balance the portrayal of men as strong, physically and emotionally. “This stereotype sometime leads to dire outcomes when considering how poorly typical men treat health symptoms such as depression, stress and anxiety,” he says.
“I wanted to raise awareness; give men the freedom to express their feelings and connect with their emotions. This fresh look at men is an eye-opening opportunity to see real people without the ‘shield’ of clothes. The project simply reminds us of how fragile we are.”
The combination of shooting in monochrome, using soft, directional light and adopting a special post-processing technique allowed Wittenberg to enhance the features of his ‘models’ so that the images are raw and crisp. The simple backgrounds eliminate distractions so the viewer can focus on their body language and facial expression.
The biggest challenge was finding the first man to agree to pose. After a few rejections, Wittenberg created portraits of close friends and family members. As the portfolio expanded, he formalised a consistent style and became confident in approaching strangers – men who had an interesting appearance or whose face told a story.
“While some men are very comfortable with having their portrait created, others feel this is completely outside their comfort zone, particularly when asked to strip down to the waist. One man expected the experience to be therapeutic while others were slightly nervous. The results show a captivating mix of men that are humble, courageous and vulnerable.”
The project gained momentum after selected prints from the body of work won awards in the Portrait Classic category of the 2015 Iris Awards from the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography. ‘Bare Truth’ was also selected for exhibition as part of the Signature Programme of Auckland Festival of Photography.
The show will run from May 12 to 23 at Gaffa gallery in Sydney.
Photojournalism/Documentary
Ilan Wittenberg – Bare Truth
Gaffa Gallery, 281 Clarence St, 2000 Central Sydney, NSW, Australia
Bare Truth is a captivating collection of portraits of New Zealand men who are humble, courageous and vulnerable. Their photographs expose and reveal who they really are. The edgy portraits are presented in monochrome to emphasize their shape and form. The simple background eliminates distractions so the viewer can focus on their body language and facial expression.
The combination of using a soft, directional light while adapting a special post-processing technique enabled me to enhance their features so the images are raw and crisp. They look directly into my camera so there is always a highlight in their eyes.
Many cultures portray men as strong, physically and emotionally. This stereotype sometimes leads to dire outcomes when considering how poorly typical men treat health symptoms, depression, stress and anxiety. One of the goals of this project is to raise awareness; give men freedom to express their feelings and connect to their emotions. This fresh look at men is an eye-opening opportunity to see the real people without the ‘shield’ of clothes.
We are all flesh and blood and we are here on this planet for a short period of time. This project simply reminds us of how fragile we are. In creating this collection I aim to demonstrate a clear style, to tell a story while being imaginative and thought-provoking. I wish to inspire people with distinct images that are crisp and sharp, to be creative and artistic, to evoke emotions and to show a personal vision.
The idea of creating portraits of men who expose their chest evolved gradually. The biggest challenge was finding the first man to agree to pose. After a few rejections and setbacks, I created a portrait of a close friend and became really engaged with the look in his eyes.
At the beginning I asked only family and friends to participate. After gaining valuable experience and formalising a consistent style, I expanded the portfolio and became confident in approaching total strangers. Having a small folio helped in overcoming objections, until the project gained a critical mass with dozens of portraits. I focused on capturing a variety of ethnic groups, poses, age groups and body sizes.
Once the portfolio increased in size, I became more selective and started approaching men who had a more interesting appearance; those whose face tells a story. While some men are very comfortable with having their portrait created, others feel this is completely outside their comfort zone.
The Bare Truth project gained further momentum after selected prints from this body of work won prestigious awards at the Portrait Classic category of the 2015 Iris Awards form the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography as wall as international awards.
The Bare Truth portfolio was later chosen to be exhibited as part of the Signature Programme of the 2016 Auckland Festival of Photography.
Head On Photo Festival
Head On Photo Festival exposes New Zealand men
This year’s Head on Photo Festival showcases the work of New Zealand photographer Ilan Wittenberg – a new collection of monochrome images of bare-chested New Zealand men.
Head on Foundation (est.2008) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the work of photographers at all stages of career, encouraging excellence and innovation, making photography accessible to all and raising awareness of important issues through photography.
Bare Truth is a collection of portraits of New Zealand men who are humble, courageous and vulnerable. Their photographs expose and reveal who they really are. They look directly into the camera so there is always a highlight in their eyes.
Wittenberg says it’s all about challenging stereotypes and presenting his subjects in a way that allows the viewer to think and reflect on issues like strength, power and emotion. Stereotypical perceptions of strength and well-being can be problematic according to Wittenberg.
“Stereotype sometimes leads to dire outcomes when considering how poorly typical men treat health symptoms such as
depression, stress and anxiety,” Wittenberg says.
Wittenberg’s photographs are created to drive awareness and to offer men the freedom to express their feelings and connect with their emotions. Wittenberg says: “ This fresh look at men is an eye-opening opportunity to see real people without the ‘shield’ of clothes. The project simply reminds us of how fragile we are.”
The combination of shooting in monochrome, using soft, directional light and utilising special post-processing technique allowed Wittenberg to enhance features of his ‘model’s so the images appear raw and crisp. His use of simple backgrounds allows the viewer to focus on the body language and facial expression of his subject.
Initially, Wittenberg asked only family and friends to participate, but after sometime expanded his portfolio and began approaching total strangers.
The photographer then focused on capturing a variety of ethnic groups, poses, age groups and body sizes. He says: “it’s the set of photos that makes the collection engaging.”
Exhibition details:
Ilan Wittenberg – Bare Truth
Head On Photo Festival – Associated Exhibition Where:
Gaffa gallery, 281 Clarence Street, Sydney
When:
May 12 to 23, Mon-Fri 10am to 6pm, Sat 11am to 5pm Opening event: Thursday 12 May 6pm
Artist talk: Saturday 14 May 12pm
Bare Truth Exhibition
Naked honesty at Bare Truth exhibition
TV3 Newshub –
Wednesday 8 Jun 2016 5:32 a.m.
Auckland’s North Shore currently features an exhibition of topless men — but it’s not what you think.
Bare Truth is a collection of 40 black and white photos of men showing their vulnerability and their pride.
For Dave Grant, it was picturing him as he’d never been pictured before, as he was once certainly not be proud of his body.
“When I was very young I got quite a large burn on my chest and I’ve hidden it,” he says.
“This is the first photo that’s ever been taken of me like this and I’ve just turned 50, so it’s taken a while for me to get here. This is a very healing process.”
Mr Grant’s wife volunteered him for the shoot and he’s grateful.
“I think this is a therapeutic step so that hey, I’m going out there but hey, this is who I am, this is really me,” he says.
And Mr Grant is not the only one baring his soul for the first time. Photographer Ilan Wittenberg found many with life’s battle scars.
“And when they take their shirt off I suddenly discovered all these tattoos that remind them to be clean of drugs, or remind them of loved ones who have died or simply huge scars of a triple bypass or chemotherapy or some operation they went through.
“It simply reminds them of how fragile we are,” Wittenberg says.
“I think it’s important that men are shown to be vulnerable and not just, you know, big tough guys. That you get your kit off and you bare yourself, you expose yourself in a different kind of way.”
John Botton is a photographer too, a friend of Wittenberg’s; not always the proud man staring back at the lens, but rather someone who had to fight to get noticed.
“I had acne as a child so I did have a self-image problem, and looking at myself in the portrait now I’m quite proud of myself,” he says.
“I think I’ve earned my scars and they look good.”
Wittenberg has a portfolio of more than 100 photographs, but it took time and courage for subjects to agree.
“Four people said no to me, four said maybe and two said yes but only one showed up, so that’s the statistics behind this,” he says.
But there’s a serious message too: men should embrace their vulnerability and not feel any stigma in asking for help, emotionally or for their health.
“They show courage they’re proud of their bodies, they feel comfortable in their own skin even though some are not as lean or muscular, this is beautiful,” Wittenberg says.
The exhibition continues at Northart Gallery for another two weeks.
Newshub.
Bare Truth – Auckland Festival of Photography
Ilan Wittenberg – Bare Truth
Northart Gallery • 5 June – 22 June
Opens 4:00pm on Sunday 5 June
Hours 10am-4pm daily
Where Norman King Square (Opposite the Library), Ernie Mays Street,Northcote Shopping Centre
Artists Ilan Wittenberg
Theme Exhibitions
Bare Truth Exhibition
Ilan Wittenberg: Travis from ‘Bare Truth‘ – part of the 2016 Auckland Festival of Photography in June, and part of our international partners Head On Photo Festival programme in Sydney this year. Ilan’s work was portfolio reviewed in last year’s edition which motivated him on the path to realise this year’s exhibition in our Festival and in Head On Photo Festival. We are excited to showcase Ilan this year. Full programme is launched in April.
Faces of Jerusalem Exhibition
The Streets of Old Jerusalem
John Hurrell – 25 March, 2016, TE URU , Auckland
Ilan Wittenberg
20 February – 1 May 2016
A suite of 27 photographs that look at some of the personalities who operate as vendors in the four quarters (Muslim, Jewish, Armenian, Christian) within the Old City of Jerusalem, Ilan Wittenberg’s images are characterised by density of detail, spectacular acuity and lots of tonal midrange. Almost everything is in focus, there is very little bright white, and the eye is caressed as it wanders across the print’s surface. Even with the deep perspective of (say) receding shelves, the plethora of detail flattens and accentuates the picture plane.
For those of us who have never visited this city, these photographs pack in a lot of information, such as the types of product being sold, the market being pitched to, the ethnic traditions of the shopkeepers, the architectural backgrounds around each stall and materials used. We see (for example) pistachios, hookahs, oils, prayer beads, gas cylinders, images of saints, plates, busts, incense, brass gongs, bells, tobacco, tea, tunics, smocks, lamps, and plaques – a vast range of easy-to-transport (instantly purchasable) merchandise. Here is a selection of Wittenberg’s images with this link.
It is the fineness of the detail, an intricacy of each particular documented element that fascinates, a compactness that is without graininess or blur, that density providing clarity.
While about three-quarters of the images feature vendors (most indoors, one outside), there are also a few street shots of people out and about, like a boy with a cart, or a nun crossing the street. The titles however are pretty non-descript and it is a shame they don’t include the subjects’ names, so that the cultural mix is made even more immediately apparent and we can get more specific information about their stories.
Somehow there is something missing with this show. These are terrific images that are loaded with information you can extract (if you are familiar with the city), but a few details in the titles – identifying each person and each site – would have made it so much richer for a New Zealand audience. Less touristy and shallow. Less voyeuristic. More contextual.
John Hurrell
Ilan Wittenberg — Faces of Jerusalem: An Interfaith Journey
by Guest Contributor on design assembly 11/03/2016 Recipient of the 2015
Auckland Photographer of the Year award, Ilan Wittenberg is currently exhibiting at Titirangi’s Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery.
Faces of Jerusalem — An Interfaith Journey runs from February 20th until 1st May.
Ilan says: “Faces of Jerusalem is a compelling collection of photographs. This documentary portfolio offers a journey to the Old City through its people. Their proud portraits reflect the rich culture and turbulent history of Jerusalem. Created during January 2015, it presents a glimpse into their lives. The different merchants are surrounded by their products. The souvenirs are intended for tourists and pilgrims who walk the ancient, narrow streets while visiting some of the holiest and most sacred religious temples in the world.
In many cases I was able to talk to the merchants so they are looking straight at me with a natural expression. I find that this results in more engaging portraits than candid photography. Most photos were taken in ambient light without flash or tripod so to create a more authentic scene.
The images are presented in monochrome which emphasizes shape and form. The sepia tone creates a timeless atmosphere while eliminating distracting colours. This makes the set more uniform regardless of the light or the time of day. It helps in focusing viewers’ attention on the people, their body language and their facial expressions. It also gives me the opportunity to create dramatic images using contrast and structure.
My goal in creating this portfolio is to show an authentic view of a foreign land. I aim to demonstrate a clear style, to tell a story while being imaginative and thought-provoking. I wish to inspire people with distinct images that are crisp and sharp, to be creative and artistic, to evoke emotions and to show a personal vision.”
Te Uru states: “The turbulent politics affecting prominent cities like Jerusalem can often have depersonalising effects, whereby the people who live there become secondary to the tug of war over the spaces they occupy. In this series of photographs, Ilan Wittenberg provides us with a rehumanised look at the Old City of Jerusalem, which occupies less than one square kilometer. The images feature proud merchants from across all four quadrants of the Old City: the Muslim Quarter, the Jewish Quarter, the Armenian Quarter and the Christian Quarter. Together, they offer a portrait of the city as one occupied by real people eking out a living from day-to-day transactions in places densely packed with culture and history.
 
Wittenberg was awarded the title of 2015 Auckland Photographer of the Year by the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography for this body of work.”
Ilan Wittenberg – Faces of Jerusalem – An Interfaith Journey
February 20 – May 1, daily 10am to 4:30pm
Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery
420 Titirangi Rd, Titirangi
www.FacesOfJerusalem.co.nz
You can find our more about Faces of Jerusalem and Ilan’s work at:
Good Magazine
95bFM Interview
This article showcasing Faces of Jerusalem has been brought to you by mychillybin.
Don’t miss the compelling new monochrome-style photography exhibition from Auckland photographer of the year, Ilan Wittenberg
By: Natalie Cyra
Photographer: Ilan Wittenberg
Published: Wed 24 Feb 2016
Ilan Wittenberg’s collection of monochrome, documentary-style images are on display now until May 1 at West Auckland’s Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery. Earlier last year Wittenberg, who was born in Israel, made a special journey to Jerusalem to capture on film portraits of some of the many residents and merchants of the Old City who had captivated him on previous trips.
It is this collection of photographs from Wittenberg’s visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site that contributed to him winning the NZIPP 2015 Auckland Photographer of the Year award.
Wittenberg spent days exploring the winding, cobbled streets and tiny, dimly lit shops of the Muslim, Jewish, Armenian and Christian quarters and capturing a range of people going about their daily lives.
It was the city’s merchants that Wittenberg was particularly drawn to. Explaining why, Wittenberg says “many people are not happy, you can see that, but that’s for good reasons: the economy is down. There are very few customers and very little foot traffic because there is a lot of stress in the streets. Wars, religious tension and the ongoing political conflict scare the tourists away.”
But Wittenberg was welcomed by the merchants after introducing himself as a Kiwi – (he has been a New Zealander since arriving in 2001). He chose to present the prints in monochrome to eliminate distracting colours and help focus the viewer’s attention on the people, their body language and their expression.
Wittenberg has only been in the photography industry since 2011, but has already won both coveted national and international awards.
Faces of Jerusalem
Faces of Jerusalem – An Interfaith Journey
20 Feb 2016 – 30 Apr 2016
Beggars and scholars, slaves and warriors have all walked the narrow streets of the Old City of Jerusalem.
In early 2015, Auckland Photographer of the Year Ilan Wittenberg set out to capture the stoic nature of its inhabitants.
The result is a compelling collection of portraits – ‘Faces of Jerusalem’.
This unique documentary portfolio offers a journey to the Old City through its people – their proud portraits reflect the rich culture and turbulent history of Jerusalem.
ILAN WITTENBERG: FACES OF JERUSALEM
The turbulent politics affecting prominent cities like Jerusalem can often have depersonalising effects, whereby the people who live there become secondary to the tug of war over the spaces they occupy. In this series of photographs, Ilan Wittenberg provides us with a rehumanised look at the Old City of Jerusalem, which occupies less than one square kilometer. The images feature proud merchants from across all four quadrants of the Old City: the Muslim Quarter, the Jewish Quarter, the Armenian Quarter and the Christian Quarter. Together, they offer a portrait of the city as one occupied by real people eking out a living from day-to-day transactions in places densely packed with culture and history.
Wittenberg was awarded the title of 2015 Auckland Photographer of the Year by the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography for this body of work.
20 February – 1 May 2016
Monochrome Awards
Moscow International Foto Awards 2015
Delighted to win the first place for Faces of Jerusalem in the Documentary Book category of Moscow International Foto Awards 2015. This year the competition received thousands of images from 84 countries. Entries were judged based on originality, creativity, composition and most importantly overall impact!
2015 Auckland Photographer Of The Year
Davi Santos
Sky Tower