Yeshoshua Halevi's photograph of the week is not your typical Hanukka picture.
By YESHOSHUA HALEVIHanukkia(photo credit: Yehoshua Halevi)
Part of the process of previsualization – envisioning an image in your mind before you shoot it – includes giving thought to how that image might be used later. For example, if an image is being used to illustrate a magazine article, I would give priority to shooting a vertical composition to allow for the option of placing it full frame on the publication’s cover. More important, however, is allowing some dead space in the image where text can be placed. With that in mind, I’ll often shoot an image wider than necessary, knowing I can always crop out unneeded content.This week’s photo works perfectly in that respect. I chose it because it differs from most common Hanukka pictures, which show the hanukkia lit with all nine candles.Additionally, a few lucky coincidences help make this photo exceptional. I like the way the candles stand at odd angles to each other and the flames bend in the breeze.There is a pleasant lack of perfection, emphasized by the empty holder next to the shamash, which makes the image feel natural, not staged. I also like the background, which is blurred but mimics the foreground with specks of firelight from several other hanukkiot. And I like the way the light drifts to shadow as your eye moves down the candles and toward the base of the hanukkia.Combined with the dark border along the top, which provides a perfect spot to overlay a holiday greeting, the dark area along the bottom gives prominence to the photo’s main subject.Yehoshua Halevi is an award-winning photojournalist and event photographer. For queries on simha photography in Israel and Europe, send an e-mail to smile@goldenlightimages.com. View the entire Israel the Beautiful series at www.israelthebeautiful.blogspot.com
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