Israel the Beautiful: See the light

I normally shun photographing under a high sun, but here was a dazzling play of light, pattern and texture.

By YEHOSHUA HALEVI
The Jerusalem Light Festival returns next week for its sixth consecutive year (June 11-19) in the Old City. It’s well worth trying your hand at photographing the plugged-in artistry, but keenly observant photographers already know there is a light show happening every day. I often ask my students to create images in which light is the subject. The assignment helps to expand their vision beyond seeing only subjects with three-dimensional form, and pushes them to explore more abstract expression.
One of the new gems to pop up on the Jerusalem cityscape is Teddy Park, nestled in the valley between Jaffa Gate and Sultan’s Pool. Cutting through the park en route to the Western Wall one recent midday, I paused to catch my breath on a stone bench partially shaded by wood lattice. I looked down to discover thin swaths of sunlight slicing across my lap. I normally shun photographing under a high sun, but here was a dazzling play of light, pattern and texture. This image gains its vitality from the stark contrast between patterns of light and shadow and the tension generated by the numerous diagonal lines criss-crossing the frame.
Careful composing allowed me to place a dark, triangular section in each corner to contain the image. A miniature light fest and cause for delight.
Join Yehoshua Halevi for Photography Walking Tours: Friday, June 6 at 9 a.m.: Yemin Moshe; Sunday, June 8 at 6 p.m.: Cinema City; Monday, June 9 at 10 a.m.: Mahaneh Yehuda; Sunday, June 15 at 7 p.m.: Special workshop at the Jerusalem Light Festival; and Tuesday, June 24 at 10 a.m.: The Jewish Quarter and the Western Wall. To register and for more information, visit yehoshuahalevi.com.