Right Where We Fell - Bob Rosenbaum

Right Where We Fell

Bob Rosenbaum

Natural Neighborhoods Series

Natural Neighborhoods Series I – Right Where We Fell Photographs by Bob Rosenbaum

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Much beauty has no word.

THE FIRST EDITION of this book was created for my family, and in particular for my

Aunt Beverly, who over the years has been a true partner in my discovery and love of the camera.

It was a thrown-together affair. I just collected some of the digital images that were handy and uploaded them to a web publishing site, like so many others. (As usual, it was Aunt Bev who made me aware of the site.) I’d already begun working on a self-published book concept for my performance photography, so this book also served as preparation for that still-forthcoming one.

This Neighborhoods edition is much the same as the first one. I’ve changed some images and added a few more, but have avoided the temptation to produce a slick design or a retrospective ‘best-of’ collection. It’s still just a random smattering.

When I look at the images appearing here, my first feeling is one of surprise. They reflect over 20 years of living in Israel, a lifetime for any serious photographer. My second feeling is one of simple happiness – the kind that comes with an ice cream cone on a hot day. My third feeling is a sense of satisfaction from the visual language revealed here. For the first time in many years, this book comprehensively presents my evolving visual sense and adds a deeper subtlety, like seeing the forest as well as the trees.

I dedicate this book to my family, who have given me their love together with enough space to enable me to make a complete fool of myself in public for pretty much all of my life. I’m indeed fortunate and glad to share that role with you here. Enjoy!

http://www.bobrosenbaum.com/neighborhoods Copyright © Bob Rosenbaum 2012. Use of the content appearing in this book is By Permission Only.

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One need only glance at Facebook or Flickr to understand that making a photograph today is so ubiquitous that it has become presumptuous to talk of artistic ends and spiritual enlightenment when using the camera. The enormous volume of captured images that we see online today has less to do with Art than it does with a growing need to simply communicate something personal about our world and to connect with others. I don’t claim any higher ground here, but I will say that – from my earliest moments with it – using the camera magically brings me to healing and regeneration. It’s my hope that these images, as both literal and figurative bi-products of this magic, can bring such positive engagement to you as well.

I remember being inspired by photo book dedications from veteran photographers when I was just being exposed to the medium (like a million other kids at the time). Today it seems to me that even the youngest of photographers are capable of inspiring me now, and without any introductions whatsoever!

Israel, the focus of this Natural Neighborhoods edition, is a place that is often depicted as less than idyllic (to put it mildly). Yet as one can see turning these pages, breadth and authenticity are the truest flavors of this tiny country. The word ‘beautiful’ really becomes a lazy descriptor. The camera shows us that many places in this world have no sufficient word to describe them – sometimes only a song will do.

Bob Rosenbaum July 2012

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Synagogue ruins near Kerem Ben Zimra, northern Galilee. 1998.

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Tel Lachish in the Judean Hills, southwest of Jerusalem. 2010.

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Olives at Moshav Ofer in the foothills of the Carmel mountains.

2003.

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Road 40 from ‘Malone Grofit’ lookout, heading south to the Arava. 1997.

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Plastic farming fields at Kibbutz Ketura, south Arava desert. 1999.

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Year-end holiday greetings in Wadi Nisnas, Haifa. 2007.

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Bringing newborn sheep in from the field, Moshav Ofer. 2003.

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Roadside snowman following a rare winter squall, northern Galilee. 2002.

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Sunflowers in Michelle’s bathroom, Ketura.

1999.

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Store dummies on Shenkin Street in Tel Aviv. 1999.

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Office buildings in south Tel Aviv. 2010.

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Daisy field at Givat Nili in central Israel.

2010.

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Wild spring tulips in the Ofer forest, Carmel Mountain foothills. 2011.

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Fabric offerings, Tomb of Rabbi Yonatan Ben-Ouziel, northern Israel, 2011.

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The Banyas waterfalls in winter, Golan Heights.

2011.

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Village of Eyn Hud overlooking the sea, Carmel Mountains. 2006.

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Dusk at marketplace on newly rebuilt Tel Aviv sea pier. 2010.

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Remains of Roman-era water aqueduct near Caesaria. 2009.

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Viewing the devastation after the fire, Carmel Forest Reserve. 2011.

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Looking eastward from the summit of Masada near the Dead Sea. 2011.

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Balcony cat, Tel Aviv. 1993

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Antelope, Hai-Bar Yotvata nature reserve, southern Israel. 1998.

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Climbing the sand dunes near the Avdat base in the Arava. 1997.

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Climbing the bomb shelter at Misgav in the Galillee. 1994.

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Ruins of the hanging Northern Palace at Masada, near the Dead Sea. 1989.

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Near the Bental lookout, Golan Heights. 2008.

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Haas Promenade near Talpiot, overlooking Jerusalem from the south. 2009.

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Inside the Cinema Hotel, a refurbished 1930’s-era movie theater, Tel Aviv.

2009.

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Cover: Natural stone bed at Timna Park, Arava Valley. 1997.

Title Page: Summer walk in a tributary of the Dan River, northern Israel. 2010.

Back Page: Springtime sunset at Moshav Ofer.

2003.

All Photographs are Copyright Š Bob Rosenbaum 1989-2011.

Use by Permission Only. http://www.bobrosenbaum.com

About the photographer Bob Rosenbaum is a veteran photographer and writer who has documented the art and lives of eminent musicians for over 25 years. A recipient of numerous awards in photography, Bob’s multi-media work has been published, displayed and broadcast worldwide. When not behind a camera or a production console, Bob works with technology companies as a marketing and communications specialist.

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Right Where We Fell

Bob Rosenbaum

Natural Neighborhoods Series

http://www.bobrosenbaum.com/neighborhoods