Jerusalem International Photography Challenge exhibition coming to capital

Two-month Ammunition Hill exhibit to feature 100 of best photos taken of city in international competition.

MAY 31, 2017 20:28

Updated: JUNE 1, 2017 02:28

One of the winning photos of the Jerusalem photo challenge captures the Old City at dusk. (photo credit: DALIA RAJWAN) — One of the winning photos of the Jerusalem photo challenge captures the Old City at dusk.

(photo credit: DALIA RAJWAN)

The International Photography Challenge, JerusaLENS, featuring the most popular photographs of the capital based on millions of votes, will hold a two-month exhibition in the city displaying the winning images in honor of the jubilee year of the Six Day War.

The international photography challenge JerusaLENS, featuring the most popular photographs of the capital based on millions of votes, will hold a two-month exhibition in the city displaying the winning images in honor of the jubilee year of the Six Day War.

Over 14,500 photographs from residents of 84 countries from any time, and of any subject, were uploaded and received 2.4 million votes.

Among the 400 leading images, the contest’s curators selected 100 that were enlarged and will be presented at Ammunition Hill from June 6 to August 6.

Following the Jerusalem showing, the exhibition, sponsored by KKLJNF, will go on an international tour.

According to curator Rina Castelnuovo, the Jerusalem photography challenge attracted photographers from numerous Arab countries as well, including Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Iraq and others.

“The anonymous and international voting created a fascinating and unprecedented ‘equality of power,’” said Castelnuovo. “For the first time ever, judging of the city was carried out only on an aesthetic and artistic basis.”

Among the sites most photographed, over 30% relate to the Temple Mount, 50% relate to religious activity in the city (Jewish, Christian and Muslim), while the Chords Bridge was the most photographed modern structure in the capital.

The biggest prize went to David Mor, who won $5,000 in the “Challenger Photographer” category for an image called “The Bagel Man,” featuring a merchant pushing a large cart of bread up the Old City’s steep steps.

Dalia Rajwan won $2,225 in the “Guru’s” category for an image of an ultra-Orthodox Jew walking through a sun-lit corridor of the Old City at dusk.

KKL-JNF Chairman Danny Atar said the organization included its photo archive of Jerusalem in the competition.

“We were happy to share the official JNF photo archive with the competition and allow the public to enjoy the beauty of the city, its culture and people, and congratulate the talented winning photographers,” he said.

“For 115 years, the Jewish National Fund has been working to strengthen Jerusalem, cultivate its lands, and strengthen its global standing.”

Admission to the two-month exhibition is free.