Photographer Creates Video Love-Letter to Land of Israel
“For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths, springing forth in valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, and vines and fig-trees and pomegranates; a land of olive-trees and honey; a land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack anything in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass. And thou shalt eat and be satisfied, and bless the LORD thy God for the good land which He hath given thee…” (Deuteronomy 8:7-10)
One of Noam Chen’s beautiful pictures of the New Year. (Photo: Noam Chen)
Photographer Noam Chen has produced a beautiful video of his unique photographs, set to haunting music, in time for the Jewish New Year. Stitching together images from across the country and representing various religions and cultures within, the video is a veritable love-letter to the Holy Land.
Chen uses a technique called High Dynamic Range imaging, or HDR, to create high contrast images that appear brighter than life. This is done by editing either a single image or a series of images of the same scene to alter the contrast between colors and between light and dark. The result is an intensely saturated image that expresses the feeling of artist about the scene.
“Basically, the aim of creating this video for me was, I think, to show the beauty of the country and the historical importance of the country, especially for the Jewish people, and the Christians, as well,” Chen said. He explained that he wanted to give “some of my audience, which is mostly for Israelis…something to enjoy, to inspire them for the coming holidays, and something to maybe lift them up a little bit in times when all these talks of war are going on in the background.”
Chen has taken photographs for Israel’s Ministry of Tourism, and National Geographic Magazine. His photos appear regularly on Israel365.com. his photographs have been displayed at Espace Pierre Cardin in Paris, France, as part of a group exhibition, and in solo exhibitions in both Ramat Gan and Jerusalem. In addition to HDR photography, Chen also takes portraits and nature photographs. His works can be viewed online on his website, noamchen.com, or his facebook page.
The music in the video is a moving piece called “T’filla (prayer)”, written and performed by David D’Or. The melody was composed by Fabian Bransburg. The images span the country, with scenes from Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, the Galilee and the Negev, as well as scenes of Israeli life, biblical heritage sites and the people living there. Chen’s love for the country, its history and its people is apparent in every shot.
Ahuva Balofsky grew up in Toronto, Canada and obtained her B.A. Hons. and B.Ed. at York University. She taught Tanach, Rabbinics and English at the Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto. After making Aliyah in 2004 with her family, she completed a Master's degree in Tanach at Bar Ilan University, and currently teaches Bible studies and English.
Ahuva Balofsky grew up in Toronto, Canada and obtained her B.A. Hons. and B.Ed. at York University. She taught Tanach, Rabbinics and English at the Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto. After making Aliyah in 2004 with her family, she completed a Master's degree in Tanach at Bar Ilan University, and currently teaches Bible studies and English.