You can see the full presentation "A Different look at Israel / part 6" here --> [link]

For more about the project, here is some Info -

The concept, the start of it all

First, I would like refresh your memory about this little project I've been doing. It all started one day, when I got to my e-mail two power point shows with "The Best Pictures You Will Ever See" bla bla bla... you probably know the kind that goes all through the web. I was very surprised to open them and find a few of my works inside.
No credit to me, no nothing.
Now, it's a compliment and all, but if nobody knows it's me, what's the point?

Instead of getting angry, I decided to get creative.
So I decided to make a power point of my own. I wanted it to be conceptual, with an added value for the user, and not just a collection of photos. Because I do most of my photographic work in Israel, where I live, I thought that this could be a fresh and good idea to make the power point show about Israel, but from my point of view, A different point of view.

A Different Look At Israel / Part 1

So, I made a presentation of Israel photographs I took featuring the variety of themes and places, all from my different point of view. I added just a few IR shots, since they alter the reality to much to even recognize the place they were taken in, and I tried to add as little vertical shots as I could, since It doesn't really fit the presentation format.

The first one was back at the beginning of 2006.
You might know a lot of the work there. Pieces like:



You can see the full presentation "A Different look at Israel" here --> [link]

I've sent this presentation to 40 of my friends on my mailing list.
Personal friends, friends at work, photographers I know.
It took something like 2 days before the response from people I never heard of began. The response was unbelievable. I got about 20 e-mails a day with comments about this presentation, just from adding my mail into the presentation. I was overwhelmed. I mean, I've seen presentations before, but I never thought of writing the author an e-mail.

After 6 months I got over a 1000 e-mail. Some were very supportive and nice, and some had even job proposals. I was ordered prints, and even sold mega-prints for an office building in Israel that decorated the office, based on my work.


A Different Look At Israel / Part 2

So, Two weeks ago I made another presentation. Another part to "A different look at Israel". I used more current work, with more landscapes. Like:



You can see the full presentation "A Different look at Israel / part 2" here --> [link]

This time I sent it to over 500 people, that asked me to send them more, after they saw the first one. The response is amazing. In two weeks I got over a 1000 e-mails. It's hard to even imagine how many see this, that a 1000 people actually respond. I get feedback from all around the world, and I feel like I'm spreading Israel throughout the world through my eyes.

A Different Look At Israel / Part 3

I've made part 3 two weeks ago, in time for the Hebrew new year.
It was sent to a 1000 people, including DA friends that asked me to send them updates.



You can see the full presentation "A Different look at Israel / part 3" here --> [link]


A Different Look At Israel / Part 4

I always try and make new part around Hebrew holidays, to make this a wonderful way to share Israel with the world.



You can see the full presentation "A Different look at Israel / part 4" here --> [link]

A Different Look At Israel / Part 5




You can see the full presentation "A Different look at Israel / part 5" here --> [link]

And now (Yesterday) I'm releasing the 6th part -
A Different Look At Israel / Part 6




You can see the full presentation "A Different look at Israel / part 6" here --> [link]

The greatest thing about this project is that it got me to go around the world.
I was on a tour to the United States talking about this project to the Jewish communities in Miami, Philadelphia, Washington, and Baltimore arranged by the Baltimore Zionist District & Habonim Dror.
I had exhibitions of this project in Marseille and Sanary (France) arranged by the Center Flag. There are more exhibitions planned for later this year, and I’ll keep you update through my web site.

I did two projects for the Israel department of tourism for England and for the United States. Both are based on my different “oint of view” and I am very proud of doing them. The one with the United States is still going on, for the third year.

I took part in a nice project for Israel in Vienna, Austria. My Israeli photos (and also *RoieG photos) covered a local tram going through the center of Vienna.

I did some shows around the world (Canada, Australia, USA). I got messages from all around the world, from former Israeli that got homesick, and from people that simply enjoyed the photographs and wanted to visit Israel. Many feedbacks showed me the power I had in my work.

I was able to show people another side of Israel, not just in beauty, but as a metaphor of a better side to Israel. Better than the bad press Israel gets around the world (politics).
I'm not a politician, and I have no desire to be one, and that gave me a way to be a proud Israeli to the world, without getting anywhere near politics.

"A Different Israel" project
I was involved in a huge project about "A different Israel" and it took place in Tel Aviv.
People took postcard with a picture of mine they liked. On the back side they wrote their wish for a different kind of Israel. All the postcards will be attached to a huge tree in the center of town. All the money went to Variety Israel, for children. This project made me very happy. It's a chance to actually contribute by this concept to the community, not just by a good message and support, but in actual physical manner.

I have a lot more of my work to share, and the huge response and support is showing me that there are many that want to see it. That appreciate my work, and also want to see Israel, in the way I see it.

BTW
If you want me to send you future presentations, simply mail me to giladbenari@walla.com and write: "add me to your mailing list" and I will

If you want an easy to share page of the presentations, there is one here --> GiladBenari.com



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About Me:

1. All the Info you can probably get on me; The BTL with G

2. Special Interview - An Eye On The World

3. Where you can see the project "A Different Look At Israel"

4. My flickr

5. 4 years for me In DA

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Tutorials & Tips:

1. Infra Red

2. Composition

3. Working with light

4. Shooting indoors

5. Recommended filters

6. Using the build in flash

7. Copyrights

8. Making money in photography

9. Exposure tips

10. Shooting RAW or JPEG?

11. Dust on your sensor?

12. Getting inspired for photography

13. Finding your style in photography


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General thoughts:

1. Art is all about expression

2. About Photography, and Israel too

3. DA Thoughts

4. About freedom of speech and ethics

5. When does photography become manipulation?

6. A Light unto the Nations

7. How important is Expression in Art?

8. Questions of popularity

9. love Israel from the first Shalom

10. DA art book?

You know,
I don't have much time, as I would like to have, to be as active on DA as I would like to (and I would like to). Still, I have some things I think I always try and do with my time here, and I would like to recommend them to you as well...

And these are the things:

1. Go through fresh photography and art.

You know, some might forget we need good inspiration in order to create.
The Ideas can come from nothing, but sometimes you see something, and it gives you an idea for a spin, of something else. Use fresh talents for that "brain storming".

2. Give feedback and support for young artists.

We all were new, we all struggled for people to know us, and give us feedback.
It's hard on such a huge community to be heard, to be seen.
It's easy supporting the popular. They are on our watch, on the main page, they are all over the place. The gain power, and the fresh ones find it harder and harder to be noticed. Let's say it loud and clear It's not enough to be talented. Sad, but true.
So many talents start here, find out how hard it is to get noticed, and leave.
We all loose from them leaving (see reason number 1 why is it our loss).
So, what can we do?
I add to my watch fresh talents, I go through new deviations, I randomly enter galleries of those who left me interesting comments.
Don't be afraid to fresh work. It may be just an icon, but it's a huge Impetus for them. Leave them a short message of what you liked, or could make their work better. Share you taste and knowledge.
This is the best part of being in a positive community
You know, there are so many galleries where you can be negative to other people work. In rank, critique, etc' and you can be negative even being anonymous. I hate that.
People are being negative to others, to promote themselves.
The whole concept makes me sick.
One of the things I love here, is that ignoring others, is probably the most negative you can get.

3. Teach from what you know. Share.

Isn't it wonderful when you have something you can share?
If you have a certain way to work your magic, a wonderful technique, or even graphic skills... I feel it's much more fun passing it on to others, than having it as a "secret" for others to admire.
Seeing others improve, learn, and broad their skills, because of your help, is so much better than a "secret".
So comment, answer when asked, explain.
This is the best feeling, when somebody grows artistically, and you are a part of it.

4. give feedback back to those who found time to comment on your work.

Tricky, I know.
Over a certain amount of comments, it becomes impossible to answer everyone. So don't answer all, but answer questions when asked, or answer long and well thought of comments.
Hey, they gave you their time, and this is the least you can do to appreciate them.

5. Use your journal entry for tutorials and promotion, for others

One thing I don't like is when the journal is used for self-promotion.
I just don't get it... The system offers you a way to communicate a journal, and you use it to tell how great you are? I just don't get it.
If people want to see your work, they go to your gallery.
If people want to buy your prints, they go to your store.
Right? That should be enough IMHO.
Well, I think journals should be used to share thoughts, knowledge, news, promotion for fresh artists, most favorite work. Etc’
You know what I mean?


We all have our own reasons for hanging out around here.
Some for fun and killing time, some for friends, some for profit of selling prints. All is cool.
I just say we should give something for this community. Not just because it's the right thing to do, but also because it's the way it should be. And, it's the way I like it.
Just my thoughts on the subject.
What do you think?