Ilan Bresler Photography

Morning Ritual

2009-07-20T16:47:00.004+03:00

Needed sometime off. Not easy times at the moment.
Photo was taken during our last trip to Barcelona.

Women and their rituals, ah? :)

Love Story

2009-06-29T17:01:00.004+03:00

Tough week. Long week. It's not getting easier.

About the photo.
First of all, it's not new work, the frame was taken about a year ago, maybe even more. It was my first time trying my (then) new SB600 flash. I was never swept away by the 'flash lovers'/ Strobists people, although I do love the result it brings.
I don't know, it just always feels like a totally different photography world, and I almost fear my ignorance of this world. And I'm too lazy to go around with another photo gadget in my bag. I'm sure I'm missing a lot by ignoring flash... *sigh*.

The structure of the frame above, the triptych, is not something I use often. Actually,I think this is the only photo I ever used it in. I must confess - I'm not sure about it.
'A picture is worth a thousand words' is something STRONGLY I believe in. If you failed to tell a story in one shot(="thousand words"), why would three of them will be better? Or two? Or four?
I really think that three frames in the photo above, each one of them can be a pretty good photo, so why use such structure? It's another issue for paintings, but lets stick to photography.

Please share you triptych/flash photo in the comments section! :)

This week I'm interviewed on SlashMaraud blog (by @tntd) AND featured on "The Weekly Bzzzzz" by @rtd13 so please, hop in and check it out.

AND - Just in case you missed it last week - "Around the world: A Photography Project Born in 140 Characters"!

One year

2009-06-22T14:17:00.007+03:00

One year ago I've started my blog (about the reason WHY I started just click the mosaic above for my previous post).
Looking back on my photos brings up memories from places, times, posts, commenters who became friends and even friends who are no longer 'friends'.

In great synchronization with my blogs "birthday" (but totally unrelated) I had the honor to participate in first of it's kind (or at least that's what I would like to think) photo project. Before going into details, please click the play button, turn on your speakers and enjoy -

Around the World, Street Photography in BNW from wahliaodotcom on Vimeo.

The idea for the this project was 'born' over Twitter and semi-official name of the outcome is -
"Around the world: A Photography Project Born in 140 Characters". (Thank you, Francesco!).
I had a pleasure of working with 5 other super talented photographers -

Elaine Vallet
Sureka Dharuman
Francesco Gallarotti
Wong Kin Leong
Anissa El Gariani aka nissou*

All of this wouldn't be possible if not Wong Kin Leong aka King Leong, who collected the images, and was responsible to turn them into this beautiful presentation.
If you'd like to participate in future project, please visit and join the Street Photography channel on Vimeo

ALSO, in another turn of event, I'm also featured on "Craig Ferguson images" blog! Please, hop in, and check that as well. Thank you, Craig, for the opportunity!

And if you still here, after this long post, a personal note.
I've planned this post to be happy, grand, celebrating first year, project, featuring..
But, on last Saturday (20/06) my girlfriend and I broke up. After eight wonderful years. I can't feel the joy I wanted for this post. I don't think I'll be taking a break, I sure need your support and something to do while sitting home alone, but it's very hard to do it and enjoy this hobby of ours at the moment.
For those who follow my blog for more than few weeks, you know that many of my photos are of my beautiful, now-ex, girlfriend (you can see it in the mosaic above, which I prepared before the break up) so it's extremely hard for me at the moment to even look at my own photos.
I really feel broken. I love her so much...

Together and Alone

2009-06-15T17:00:00.003+03:00

Inspired by my all time favorite artist - Edward Hopper.
His masterful use of light in his painting is a great inspiration for me.

My first (and so far - only) photo taken with a cell phone. Sony Ericsson K800i. 3.2mega pixel. My first digital camera was only 3.1.. The progress...

Now, most of the time, I'm not sure if my photo is good or bad. But this one, I really think is not "too bad". But photos like this, will never reach Flickr's "Interestingness"/Explore page. It saddens me. Not the fact that my photo won't reach such "goal" but the fact that we miss so many other good photos just because they are not colorful/flower/pretty woman/processed enough.

I must confess - About a year ago, reaching the 'Explore' page was my ultimate goal.
Out of 150 photos I got on my flickr page, 43 were featured. That's not bad, I think, but then I realized two things -

1. The system is pretty easily 'manipulated'. I now know how to reach Explore with almost any photo of mine.
2. I was working too hard and contributing to flickr and not my photography.

After realizing these two things - I've started my blog.

I'm sure I'll be asked how to 'manipulate' the system? / How can I reach Explore?. There is no a 100% fail proof path, but you can use some of these tips. Be warned though - Soon as I found out how it works, I lost all interest in this. Traffic? Yes, it brings some. But it's cheating. The nasty way.

There are few considerations flickr counts when calculating how interesting the photo is.

1. Do not upload the photo to more than 3-4 groups.
2. Do not re-upload the photo to groups. Many use this to make their photo appear on the groups main page.
3. Tag the photo properly. This is the most unclear point to me, because it seems that giving hundreds of tags might also decrease photo's grade.

So far, these are pretty usual tips. Now we go from tips, to cheats.

4. Upload the photo at the correct time. When most of the users online. From what I found, the best time is between 12pm to 6pm (I always checked with NY timezone).

5. As soon as you upload your photo, comment like crazy. Not your friends, but users you are not connected to.

By 'like crazy' I mean, comment 400-500 (and more) users. about 70%-80% of them will come to look on your flickr stream and about 40%-50% of these visitors will comment/fave your LATEST photo. There is a window of few hours for the photo to be "interesting" for that specific day. To reach Explore you need a good ration between comments, faves and views. 7-8 faves, 15 comment and 50-60 views are almost sure to put you somewhere in Explore.

Of course, it'll go much easier is your photo over saturated and has a pretty face in it. Or both.

Well.. Good luck, I guess. Maybe exposing the system will cause them to improve it, I don't know. Since starting my blog, I lost interest in Explore race.

If you got more tips/cheat, feel free to share.

Cuckoo

2009-06-08T16:15:00.004+03:00

For few years now, I've been fascinated by windows.
They not only a transparent barrier between the outside and inside, but also some kind of divider between different lives, but in contrary to doors, fences or walls - One that let's us peek through. (Legal clarification - I don't support voyeurism in the name of voyeurism! :))
Specific thing that I love in these 'windows', are the people sometimes forget that they are... well... transparent. Or opened. In such cases, you are able to capture some 'real' feelings. People without their daily masks.

The first (ever!) photo on my blog was a guy I captured in Prague. This photo was inspired by few 'windows' works (here, here and here) by the superb talented street photographer Nils Jorgensen.

I won't go as far as calling the next week a 'Window Week' but if you got some 'private moment through a window' shots - Feel free to share it through the comments :)

Late addition - My photo is now featuring on the first page of Green Tea Gallery Magazine

Flower

2009-06-01T16:46:00.005+03:00

More Barcelona. This was a lucky snapshot :)

Few notes - I would like to thank Ron (@rtd13) for including me on the 'Weekly Bzzzzz' (again!)

And, of course, wish a happy BBD (Blog-BirthDay) to Marc from Take-Out Photo!

PS.
Did you know I'm on Photoblogs.org?

Lunch

2009-05-25T22:45:00.009+03:00

On my last post I wondered about capturing an "essence" of a city in single shot.
I was overwhelmed with your comments and thoughts about the issue.
Francesco Gallarotti and Mickey Rahman wrote me something that I wish to quote -

...When working in a series about a particular location it's a good rule of thumb to have at a minimum 4 types of pictures:
- landmarks or places that can easily be associated with that location
- environmental portraits of people in that environment
- detail shots
- action shots...

I think it's a great tip. What I would like to do is to try to take this tip and fit it to my own style/agenda - I'm not a big fan of "series" shots. I believe that 'A picture is worth a thousand words' and one photo should contain the beginning, the middle and the end of a story (that's, of course, mainly true to the 'classic' street photography) - So, if I'll manage to combine AT LEAST two (and strive for more) of the points mentioned above, I think I'll be on my way for a better, multi-layered street photography.

I would like to link for two works of the Masters as examples -

Photo by Cartier Bresson and a very famous kiss by Alfred Eisenstaedt

Just note how each of these has the right combination of the 'points' mentioned earlier.

Wow.. That's just became a pretty long post. I'm babbling too much - Go out and shoot some photos! :)

What?

2009-05-18T18:03:00.006+03:00

Streets of Barcelona, Gothic Quarter.

About my last photo... (just click on the image above, it will take you to my previous post) both João André Farinha and NJ and SB Photography noted a very good point.
I commented that it was taken in Barcelona, but those tree tops could have been captured in any other place on Earth.
Looking back on my Barcelona shots, I could not escape the feeling of failure to capture the essence of that beautiful and unique city. I got some pretty nice photos, but none is a true "Barcelona".
Even while taking the photos, I felt something is missing. I capture moments, people, situations, tree tops - But no soul. No essence.
I feel disappointed, but also bit optimistic. Now that I know 'what' to look for, I got a purpose - Not only to capture 'good' (and strive for 'better') photos, but to try and learn how to fill them with that elusive 'soul'. Try to see the streets beyond their first, immediate layer.
I'm not sure exactly how to do it right, but I'm willing to learn.

EDIT:
Got an intersting and insigtful response on "Sean Needham Photography" blog.

Maze

2009-05-11T15:21:00.003+03:00

Short break from street-photography.
Taken in Barcelona.
... And Thank you again for your comments and support :)

* For Twitter users - A great place to find new photo Twitterers -
Photographers on Twitter list

Attention

2009-05-04T16:44:00.006+03:00

Short brake from Barcelona - Back to the streets of Israel.
This photo is inspired by the style of Martin Parr.

About the previous image - Many tried to guess and some managed to reveal the "secret" - The frame was taken when I'm standing in front of a mirror wall while the line of people is behind the mirror. The people reflected in the mirror are store visitors. Simple, no?

Dimensions

2009-04-27T21:03:00.007+03:00

This is one exposure, case you were asking :)

Still "recovering" from Barcelona, it's hard to go back to the daily routines.

And for some news - I was interviewed this week by Marc Olivier at his wonderful blog 'Take-Out Photo' . Hop over to the interview and I really advise you to stay and check his other posts - His words always challenges me to think. Thank you, Marc!

And, of course, Big Thank You my dear visitors and commenters :)

EDIT: Noa Eisenschtat, a very good friend of mine, is having her first out-of-country exhibition. If by any chance you are in Berlin between the 30.04.09 - 07.05.09, pay a visit - Her works are very inspiring! Click here for info.

Bon Appetit

2009-04-21T23:03:00.003+03:00

Well, I had something similar in Prague so why not in Barcelona as well?

And just a quick reminder, sorry if I'm bugging with it too much - You can fave me (Photoblogs.org) here, vote (Photoblogs Awards) for me here and follow me (Twitter) here. That's it, you fav's, votes and follows are very much appreciated!

Impression

2009-04-17T02:40:00.006+03:00

What a great vacation. Barcelona is... Beyond words.
I've landed 20 hours ago (7am on the 16th), I haven't slept for almost 48 hours but I just can't pull away from my PC screen!
The only things I've managed to do today is to go over about 100 email messages and over 2500 RSS updates. Oh, and converting 300+ photos from RAW to something I can burn on CD's to show friends and family.
And, of course I just had to tweet my day while doing that.
What a week, what a day... There is only thing remains, and that go over all the RSS updates I got from all the blogs I follow and comment, but that tasks I'll leave for tomorrow.
Thank you for looking after my blog, it's good to be back :)

The photo above is the general impression I got of Barcelona's magnificent mood and pace. More to come soon, when I'll be able to think straight!

Moment of Peace

2009-04-06T20:01:00.006+03:00

Moments before I leave to Barcelona for a week (this Thursday) - A photo from my last years trip to Prague.

A week is not a long time, but I'll still miss my blog and you, dear visitors and commenters.

Obviously, there is no chance for the new blog design during the next two weeks, but I really hope to finish this long escapade before April ends - knock on wood.

Meanwhile, there are SOME news - Although I had a Twitter account since last year, I now decided to plunge into it.
It's fun, it's hip and it's not longer than 140 characters.
Click here to follow my pearls of wisdom on Twitter!

Forest

2009-03-30T21:03:00.002+03:00

Long exposure + lens tilt.

Still working on the new blog template :(

Night shift

2009-03-23T17:56:00.005+02:00

As you see, no design updates yet. They were postponed to this weekend, and this time for real. Hopefully. :)
So, I'll repeat my warning about the possible downtime and the fact that you might not recognize the site next time.

Meanwhile, this is another shot from my new compact camera Ricoh GX200 - I'm having a blast with this little pixel devil!

P.S - Thanks all for your Barcelona recommendations - All marked on my map.

Flying Fish

2009-03-16T12:53:00.004+02:00

Few updates -
During the next few days (close the weekend more precisely) I'm having a HUGE blog upgrade-update :), so I'm expecting a (hopefully very) short downtime.
Don't be alarmed if you'll enter the blog and won't recognize it :)

And - Just bought tickets to Barcelona! Yey! I'll be there during Easter, for a week, celebrating 8 year anniversary with my girlfriend. So, if there are any recommendations, I'm open to suggestions. Thanks!

One

2009-03-09T17:34:00.003+02:00

My girlfriend, Vlada. We are celebrating 8 (eight!) wonderful years of relationship this month :) (on the 27th actually).
She is my inspiration.

On a different but similar note, the site that influenced my photography the most is in-public.com.

What inspires you? What websites do you go to for inspiration?

P.S
Just if you feel like it - please vote :)

Stop!

2009-03-02T16:04:00.003+02:00

Bought a new compact camera. Ricoh GX200. Wide angle (24mm), raw. Street photography couldn't be more fun - I see and unseen.
This is one of the first photos taken with the new camera.

Ice Cream Lady

2009-02-23T17:58:00.000+02:00

Under the Moonlight

2009-02-16T17:32:00.004+02:00

A bit late but - Happy Valentine's :).
That's the most romantic photo I have (which wasn't uploaded yet).

Oh, and it seems like the 2009 Photoblog Awards are up, so if you feel like it AND if you enjoy this blog AND you are not too tired AND feel generous, please vote. For me, if that's ok with you. :)

*AAhhh! I accidentally deleted a comment by Brian! Brian, please, excuse me! Re-comment if you are not too mad :)

Fractures

2009-02-09T16:39:00.003+02:00

Taking a break

2009-01-31T22:11:00.005+02:00

It's my birthday. Well... Three days ago, actually.

I'm not taking a break, by the way. It's just the title of the photo..
Oh.. And it's not me here. It's a friend of mine :)

Locking Stares

2009-01-25T20:31:00.002+02:00

And a shirt

2009-01-18T22:48:00.009+02:00

Photoblogger Unite!
I'm sorry, I know I'm blabbing too much lately. It's just that I've been photoblogging for some time now, and there is just something on my mind that I really wanted to share with you.

Photoblogging is a bit egocentric. I post a photo and presume it’s interesting enough to “waste” your time. Not only that, I’m rude enough to ask you to comment on my creation! Of course, we all comment photos of others as well, but the interaction is more distant than in usual blogging – we interact by comments, not content. There is less content that connects us (the photobloggers) to each other because… well, “each to his own [creation]”.

But many times, since I’ve started photoblogging and found other photoblogs, I wished I could share with you the magnificent photos I encounter during commenting.
So I had an idea –Why not dedicate a post to share with you my favorite photos that YOU took? I don’t mean, God forbids, to deprive you of my magnificent art, but just for a short moment to brake my egocentric shell, and thank you for those photos that moved me, that inspired me, that taught me… That I hope were taken by me, to be honestly frank.

Where there photos that did that to you? Link them by commenting here or on your blogs. It might become a new tradition, for us, the photobloggers :)
Here are just few recent photos that affected me (there are many, many more!):

- b.r.f.u.k - Richard Whitelock's Photography

- The Sun Shines & The Igloo Melts

- Un jour_ une photographie (v.2)

- Elaine

- transparent things

- egotripping.net

* I was a bit rude by not asking permission to resize your photos before posting them here. If I crossed a line, please, tell me, and I'll remove the thumbnail immediately.