Mary is 85, originally from Ireland. I chat with Mary every time we meet on my daily walks around Castor Bay. She was born in 1936 to a Catholic family of eight children (Mary was number five after four boys). Mary’s mom had to find a job when her father died and she taught orphans in a monastery. She wanted to be a teacher, but eventually found a job in a large department store in Belfast where she met Mary’s dad. Mary’s dad was an active member of the IRA (as you would) and when the conflict with the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 monarchy (God Save the Queen) ended, he became a policeman.👮♂️ “Those days women lost their jobs when they got married”. Mary wanted to become a nurse 👩⚕️ so went to England to study “it was free because the English government wanted the Irish girls to become nurses”. After getting married, Mary and her husband immigrated to New Zealand when she was 22. Knowing how to use a typewriter, Mary found a an office job when arriving to New Zealand. Five years later she had three kids who all live here. “Life was simpler then”, she says. “You would grow your own veggies in the backyard”. People need to move to the countryside. She apologised for holding the ☔ umbrella to protect from the rain.
Temple Mount – Dome of the Rock – Al-Aqsa Mosque – The old City of Jerusalem
located on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem, The Dome of the Rock is one of the three holiest Islamic shrines in the world. It was initially built in 691 on the site of the Second Jewish Temple and destroyed during the Roman Siege of Jerusalem. The original dome collapsed in 1015 and was rebuilt in 1023. Being one of Jerusalem’s most recognizable landmark it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to belief, the rock inside the mosque is the spot from which the Islamic prophet Muhammad ascended to Heaven accompanied by the angel Gabriel. Usually packed with tourists and locals, I was the only one to visit the site early morning when the forecast was for snow. It was so cold that there was no one on site and I could get a beautiful reflection off the wet marble stones just before the storm.
The Janie Seddon was built in 1901 in Glasgow, Scotland for the Government as a submarine mining vessel, and spent its early life in Wellington working for the Royal New Zealand Navy. She was used in port during both world wars and was the Examination Vessel during WWII. According to some reports, it is credited with firing the first shots of World War II, a warning shot across the bow when the liner “City of Delhi” would not stop on request on September 3, 1939. It was the last surviving military ship to have served in both world wars – rumour has it she even fired the first shot in WW2.
When her military days came to an end, Janie was purchased in 1947 by the local Talley’s fishing group as a fishing trawler, the first in their fleet. It was sold as a fishing vessel to the Motueka Trawling Company and worked in Motueka as a very useful coal-fired steam trawler. As a coal-powered ship, she proved unsuitable as a fishing vessel and her size prevented her from operating in the coastal waters of Tasman Bay.
When she was retired from fishing, in 1950, the Janie Seddon was laid up on the Motueka Wharf. It was anchored next to the sandspit for protection. Unfortunately, when the tide went out, she sat on her anchor and it holed her hull. She filled with water and stayed there until a scrap metal dealer decided to try a salvage. At low tide, the Janie Seddon was dragged by bulldozer across the estuary to the site where she sits now. The scrap metal dealer planned to cut her up into pieces for sale but he went broke trying to do that! The Janie Seddon is made of very strong corten steel and all dealer’s tools broke down! After sinking at her moorings a few years later she was stripped of anything of use and left to the elements. The rust made the holes along with the scrap metal dealer’s attempts to cut her up.
https://ilanwittenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/DSCF3254-Edit-1-Edit-2.jpg12801907Ilan Wittenberghttps://ilanwittenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Ilan-Wittenberg-website-logo-ver-3.2.pngIlan Wittenberg2021-09-08 19:24:242021-09-09 14:37:31Man with an Apron
‘Faces of Humanity‘ is a documentary collection with little or no changes to the actual scene. I asked people to look straight into my camera, so these are not candid photos. The strength of this series is in giving viewers a rare opportunity to connect with people in their natural environment. This diverse group of people serves as a timely reminder that, despite our many cultural differences, we can unite as a community through the power of photography.
This is a celebration of our shared values: hard work, the importance of family, and caring for each other as humans. I hope that through these photos viewers learn more about people with different backgrounds from around the world: Ruanda, Morocco, Tanzania, Cairo, Jerusalem and New Zealand. The show offers opportunities for people to contemplate, absorb, and increase their awareness of the complexities of human experience. Each photograph reveals an individual with a story that has shaped their life.
We connect with others by making eye contact – reading their expressions, feeling their emotions and getting a glimpse of their souls. I want viewers to form meaningful connections with these people: to see them as human beings, not simply subjects in front of a camera. I purposely created portraits that allow viewers to make direct eye contact with each person, so visitors can form emotional connections with these individuals.
In sharing this portfolio, I encourage viewers to show empathy: to accept others and to recognise the value of cultural diversity. We would all experience an enhanced sense of community if we took the time to appreciate interactions which allow us to discover the world beyond our familiar boundaries. We are all wonderfully unique, yet, at the same time, we are deeply similar.
I am presenting these photographs in timeless monochrome, to ensure consistency and flow of the series amidst the chaos and clutter of the busy environment. The portraits are crisp and sharp, to allow the details to inspire the imagination and to evoke emotions. My aim is to create an authentic portfolio of diverse individuals in a foreign land. My goal is to tell their stories using a clear narrative style and enduring quality.
Tires – Morocco
Clyde Scott – Auckland
Frank – Auckland
The barber – Auckland
Shish Kebab – Cairo
Knife sharpener – Morocco
Man with a Hat – Jaffa
Shells – Taranaki
The Library – Auckland
Boy and his Eel – Taranaki
The Fish Merchant – Akko
The Counter – Akko
Blue Collar – Jaffa
Dead Chickens – Morocco
The Garment Merchant – Jerusalem
The Paper – Jerusalem
Souvenirs Galore – Jerusalem
The Fist – Jerusalem
MAGGI – Morocco
Bric-à-brac Rwanda
Tutsi Girl – Rwanda
Men with canes – Rwanda
Woodwork – Rwanda
The Barber – Morocco
Arthur was sitting and waiting for customers in the same barber shop that his father established 60 years ago in Melbourne. It took three visits to the store and $100 to convince Arthur to have his portrait taken. I then had my haircut… AIPP Silver with Distinction Award.
Boys and Cart – Jerusalem
John and Rebecca – Auckland
Queen Deemi – Auckland
Just Bagels – Jerusalem
Essential Oils – Jerusalem
Wayne and Jennie – Auckland
Sitting on a Cart – Cairo
Man with a Beany – Jerusalem
Backgammon – Jerusalem
Man with a Ring – Alexandria
KAKAO – Jerusalem
SINGER – Jerusalem
Father and Son – Jerusalem
Three Brothers
Hubble-bubble – Alexandria
Bananas – Cairo
Two Men – Cairo
Sitting by the Cross – Alexandria
Scales – Jerusalem
The Department Store – Jerusalem
Money Changer – Jerusalem
Boy with a cart – Jerusalem
Souvenir Shop – Jerusalem
Mono Rhino – Jaffa
ITANGA – Rwanda
Dying the Wool – Morocco
Magazine Shop – Jerusalem
Delinquents – Auckland
Just Beads
Man with a leather Jacket – Auckland
The Donkey – Morocco
Brass and Copper – Morocco
Shoe Shining – Rwanda
The Fly – Egypt
All the presidents – Egypt
Man and his Dog – Auckland
Standing Proud – Morocco
Cowhide – Tanzania
The Hut – Tanzania
Timid – Tanzania
Standing in the Rain – Tanzania
Joy – Tanzania
Maasai Women – Tanzania
Sewing Machine – Cairo
Sitting by the hut – Tanzania
Sitting Down – Tanzania
The Look – Cairo
Shoe Laces – Cairo
The Maasai – Tanzania
Man with an Apron – Morocco
https://ilanwittenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/DSC09517-Edit.jpg12801920Ilan Wittenberghttps://ilanwittenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Ilan-Wittenberg-website-logo-ver-3.2.pngIlan Wittenberg2021-09-03 19:44:142021-10-04 16:43:47Faces of Humanity
Shoe Laces – Runner-up at the 2021 SONY Alpha Awards Editorial category
Faces of Cairo is a collection of photographs that take you on a tour of the land and its people, the streets, the markets, the African desert, and the path of history.
Cairo is chaos at its most magnificent, infuriating,and beautiful. From above, the distorted roar of the muezzins’ call to prayer echoes out from duelling minarets. Below, car horns bellow tuneless symphonies amid avenues of faded 19th-century grandeur, while donkey carts rattle down dusty lanes lined with colossal monuments. This city’s constant buzz is a product of its 20 million inhabitants, simultaneously stretching Cairo’s infrastructure, crushing it under their collective weight. The smog is heavy and car toots are overwhelming, but its energy is stimulating and exhilarating!
In January 2020, I was privileged to visit the ancient city and tell the story of its people. What stood out to me the most was how friendly the people were. I first shook their hands warmly and then asked in Arabic: “Can I take your photo?” I gave people my full attention and most were delighted to have their portrait taken. I showed them the image on the back of my camera which made them feel honoured and respected. I consider it my privilege to be able to share these glimpses into their lives with the wider world.
I wanted to visit Cairo for a long time and was so glad when the opportunity came. I always admired the long and rich history of Egypt and found the experience of modern-day Cairo to be incredible in its own right. The whole city buzzes with all kinds of different people, and despite the economic hardship, they have a wonderful faith in a better future.
Faces of Cairo is a documentary collection. Most of the photos had little or no retouching. I asked people to look straight into my camera, so these are not candid photos. The strength of this series is in giving viewers a rare opportunity to connect with the common Egyptian people in their natural environment. This diverse group of people serves as a timely reminder that, despite our many cultural differences, we can unite as a community through the power of photography. The collection is a celebration of our shared values: hard work, the importance of family and caring for each other as humans. I hope that through this portfolio viewers learn more about the Egyptian people. In sharing this portfolio, I encourage viewers to show empathy: to accept others and to recognise the value of cultural diversity. We would all experience an enhanced sense of community if we took the time to appreciate interactions which allow us to discover the world beyond our familiar boundaries. We are all wonderfully unique, yet, at the same time, we are deeply similar.
I present these photographs in timeless monochrome,to ensure consistency and flow of the series amidst the chaos and clutter of the busy environment. My aim is to create an authentic portfolio of diverse individuals in a foreign land. My goal is to tell their stories using a clear narrative style and enduring quality. The portraits are crisp and sharp, to allow the details to inspire your imagination and to evoke emotions. I hope that viewers will experience some of the atmosphere and connect with the people.
About the event
Join portrait photographer IlanWittenbergon a three hour seminar on documentary travel photography. Wittenberg is NZIPP 2020 Auckland Photographer of the year and the Editorial prize winner of the 2020 Sony Alpha Awards. Wittenberg was a finalist at the 2020 NZIPP Travel category and a finalist of the STORIES category at the AIPP 2021 Silver Lining awards.
When Saturday, May 15, 1-4 pm, $49 admission fee, Register Here
Where Studio One Toi Tū
1 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland.
What’s included
We will review travel photography from Cairo, Jerusalem and Morocco. During this seminar participants will have plenty of opportunities to ask questions regarding Ilan’s camera technique, equipment, software, post processing, creating a portfolio, exhibiting and entering the Awards. Wittenberg will also talk about how to engage people in a foreign land when asking to create their portrait and how to use photos for storytelling.
You will also be able to try different printing papers courtesy of EPSON who will have an A3-A2 size photo printer available for us. You are welcome to bring your favourite 2-3 images on a USB or an SD card (JPEG format) so these can be printed during the seminar. Bring an empty cardboard tube so your print will travel home safely.
Techniques covered
Travel Photography
Equipment
Posing
Lighting
Composition
Selecting the right lens
Camera Settings
Engaging your subject
Post processing
Creating a portfolio
Entering Awards
What to bring
SDHC memory card
Hi resolution JPEG images that you’d like to print on EPSON’s wide format photo paper
Nominee at the 15th Annual Black & White Spider Awards
15TH ANNUAL BLACK AND WHITE SPIDER AWARDS HONORS PHOTOGRAPHER ILAN WITTENBERG FROM NEW ZEALAND
LOS ANGELES, November 11, 2020 – Professional photographer Ilan Wittenberg of New Zealand was presented with the 15th Annual Black and White Spider Awards Nominee title at a prestigious Nomination & Winners PhotoShow.
The live online gala was attended by industry leaders and the photography community from around the globe who logged on to watch the climax of the world’s premier event for black and white photography. 15th Annual Jury members included captains of the industry from Musee de l’Elysee, Lausanne; Sotheby’s, London; Travel/Discovery Channel, New York; Kunsthaus Zurich, Switzerland; Portuguese Center of Photography, Porto; Aeroplastics Contemporary, Brussels; The Guardian, London; Contrasto Galleria, Milan; ADK Creative One Inc., Tokyo; Hiroshima MOCA, Japan; MACBA, Barcelona; and Pereira O’Dell in New York who honored Spider Fellows with 610 coveted title awards and 919 nominees in 32 categories.
“Simply Stunning.” Justine Gruser, Specialist at Sotheby’s commented. Bernardino Castro, Director at Portuguese Center of Photography (CPF), Porto said “The amazing quality of the images in the competition made it very difficult to select the winners. I would like to reinforce the relevance and impact of Black & White Spider Awards as a mobilizing agent in promoting the production and dissemination of excellent photography at an international level.” Christopher Doyle, Creative Director at Travel Channel/Discovery, New York added, “Always look forward to the way in which these photographers see the world in a unique and curious way.”
“It’s an incredible achievement to be selected among the best from the 6,378 entries from 69 countries we received this year” said Basil O’Brien, the awards Creative Director. “Ilan’s Yawning Camel,” an exceptional image, represents black and white photography at its finest, and we’re pleased to present him with the title of Nominee.”
BLACK AND WHITE SPIDER AWARDS is the leading international award honoring excellence in black and white photography. This celebrated event shines a spotlight on the best professional and amateur photographers worldwide and honors the finest images with the highest achievements in black and white photography.
Faces of Cairo is a collection of photographs that take you on a tour of the land and its people; the streets, the markets, the African desert, and the path of history.
Cairo is chaos at its most magnificent, infuriating and beautiful. From above, the distorted roar of the muezzins’ call to prayer echoes out from duelling minarets. Below, car horns bellow tuneless symphonies amid avenues of faded 19th-century grandeur, while donkey carts rattle down dusty lanes lined with colossal monuments. This city’s constant buzz is a product of its 30 million inhabitants, simultaneously stretching Cairo’s infrastructure, crushing it under their collective weight. The smog is heavy and car toots are overwhelming, but its energy is stimulating and exhilarating!
In January 2020, I was lucky to visit the ancient city and tell the story of its people. What stood out to me the most was how friendly the people were. I first shook their hands warmly and then asked in Arabic: “Can I take your photo?” I gave people my full attention and most were delighted to have their portrait taken, especially once they learnt that I came from Israel and that I live in New Zealand. I showed them the image on the back of my camera which made them feel respected. I consider it my privilege to be able to share these glimpses into their lives with the wider world.
I wanted to visit Cairo for a long time and was so glad when the opportunity came. I always admired the long and rich history of Egypt and found the experience of modern-day Cairo to be incredible in its own right. The whole city buzzes with all kinds of different people, and despite many of them being poor, they have a wonderful faith in Allah.
My visit to Egypt was a spiritual journey, I always dreamt of visiting Egypt. The historical link between Israel and Egypt goes back thousands of years: a history of war and peace. In reading the Haggadah during Passover Seder every year, I celebrate the ancient history together with the family. The Haggadah describes the exodus of the Israelite slaves who built the pyramids in Egypt. The most interesting part is the ten plagues that God inflicted on the Egyptian people in order to convince Pharaoh to free the Twelve Tribes.
Faces of Cairo is a documentary collection. Most of the photos had little or no retouching. I asked people to look straight into my camera, so these are not candid photos. The strength of this series is in giving viewers a rare opportunity to connect with the common Egyptian people in their natural environment. This diverse group of people serves as a timely reminder that, despite our many cultural differences, we can unite as a community through the power of photography. The collection is a celebration of our shared values: hard work, the importance of family and caring for each other as humans. I hope that through this portfolio viewers learn more about the Egyptian people. In sharing this portfolio I encourage viewers to show empathy: to accept others and to recognise the value of cultural diversity. We would all experience an enhanced sense of community if we took the time to appreciate interactions which allow us to discover the world beyond our familiar boundaries. We are all wonderfully unique, yet, at the same time, we are deeply similar.
I present these photographs in timeless monochrome, to ensure consistency and flow of the series amidst the chaos and clutter of the busy environment. My aim is to create an authentic portfolio of diverse individuals in a foreign land, to tell their stories using a clear narrative style and enduring quality. The portraits are crisp and sharp, to allow the details to inspire your imagination and to evoke emotions. I hope that viewers will experience the atmosphere and connect with the people.
Improve your photography – Photo Critique: Saturday 20 June 10:30AM – 11:30AM
This workshop will explore your own digital images. Please email 2 or 3 of your own images to programmes@uxbridge.org.nz (2-5 MB). As a group we will look anonymously at each photo and Ilan will critique them from different angles, looking at where improvement could be made.
Improve your photography – Technique: Saturday 20 June 12:00PM – 1:00PM
This workshop will focus on light, setting and poses to maximise your portrait photography. Ilan will show some of his portrait collection of New Zealanders who are humble, courageous and vulnerable. Ilan will use these to share techniques on how to emphasize and observe shape and form to create edgy images that tell a story to the viewer.
Faces of Cairo: Wednesday 24 June, 6:30PM – 7:15PM
In this session you will view and enjoy time to question some images from documentary series ‘Faces of Cairo’ – a tour of the land and it’s people; the streets, the markets the African desert and the path of history. Learn the art of telling a story with a clear narrative style using the lens.
Scapes: Wednesday 24 June, 7:30PM – 8:15PM
Scapes is a series of wide-format prints, exploring the timeless nature of unique locations using sepia tone, which emulates analogue lithographic techniques. This distinct and compelling monochromatic style creates strong images which inspire the imagination and provoke conscious consideration. Discussions on the ‘how’ and ‘why’ are encouraged in this session.
https://ilanwittenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/DSC09952-Edit-1.jpg12801920Ilan Wittenberghttps://ilanwittenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Ilan-Wittenberg-website-logo-ver-3.2.pngIlan Wittenberg2020-06-11 08:55:412020-06-18 17:30:59Photography Sessions at UXBRIDGE Arts
https://ilanwittenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/DSC03772-HDR-Edit.jpg16012400Ilan Wittenberghttps://ilanwittenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Ilan-Wittenberg-website-logo-ver-3.2.pngIlan Wittenberg2020-06-06 15:58:312020-06-06 15:59:02Tunnel Beach – The Rock
We spent the night at the bottom of Ross Creek Reservoir. This is one of the oldest artificial lakes in the country, and the oldest water supply reservoir still in use in the country. It was created in the 1860s to provide water for the city of Dunedin, at that time in the middle of its rapid expansion due to the Otago goldrush. I love the leading lines and the shades of green against the dramatic clouds at sunrise.
Timid: Winner of the 2020 SONY Alpha Awards Editorial category. Semi-Finalist at 2020 hEAD oN Photo Festival
‘Timid’ is part of a collection of captivating portraits of the Maasai people from Tanzania. I found myself deeply inspired upon meeting the Maasai tribe and realised the opportunity to document their unique culture which is being eroded by Western influence and modern technology. On a personal level, this reminds me of the true value of photography: preserving memories in order to relive special stories and pass them on to others. Through this series of carefully composed photographs, the Maasai people can share their rich culture with the world.
The collection is presented in a film-noir monochrome, capturing these portraits in a classically timeless style; lending a unifying appearance that emulates analogue lithographic techniques. I wanted viewers to focus on the humanity aspect of each portrait: expression, body language, shape and form. I eliminated distracting colours to ensure that viewers focus on the people within the photos and make emotional connections with the Maasai.
This is a documentary collection; most of the photos had little or no retouching. I waited for people to look straight into the camera so we can see highlights in their eyes. The strength of the series is in giving viewers an opportunity to connect with the Maasai people in their natural environment. This diverse group of people serves as a timely reminder that despite our many cultural differences, we can unite as a community through the power of photography. I hope that through this portfolio viewers learn more about the Maasai culture. We are all wonderfully unique, yet at the same time, we are deeply the same.
I aim to depict the Maasai culture in an authentic and honest way, using a clear narrative style which shows the significance of their culture, as well as their individual personalities. My goal is to provoke viewers imagination regarding the traditions of the Maasai people and the stories behind their portraits. In sharing this portfolio, I encourage viewers to show tolerance: to accept all people and to recognise the value of cultural diversity. We would all experience an enhanced sense of community if we took the time to appreciate interactions which allow us to discover the world beyond our familiar boundaries.
https://ilanwittenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/DSC09952-Edit.jpg12801920Ilan Wittenberghttps://ilanwittenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Ilan-Wittenberg-website-logo-ver-3.2.pngIlan Wittenberg2020-05-13 17:38:092020-05-17 09:39:36Portraiture Workshop – 2020 hEAD oN Photo Festival
