Living Statues 2016

Like each year, I make it a point to come to Rehovot for the summer Living Statues Festival. This would be the festival's seventh year, my fifth coming to it.

Like each year I get the usual flash from the side shots, the closeups on the performers using a longish telephoto and the wider view with the audience close by using a wide angle.

Like each year I try to do new things, try out new techniques and equipment in a situation that is one one hand very difficult, with people packed tight trying to see the performances (and it is so hot and humid this time of year!) and on the other hand this setting is great because, unlike candid street photography, you can feel free to take as many pictures as you like, try new things at length, and the results are usually interesting even if unconventional (something that doesn't always go well on fashion and model test shoots).

Living Statues 2014

This year the living statues festival was in the summer again. That meant it was hot and uncomfortable for the participants and the photographers.

Most of these were taken with the Tamron 17-50 (my goto all-purpose lens) and a flash on a monopod to get some side lighting.

A similar setup was used on the last living statues event, and also on the one before that, and the first one I went to.

Timna & Eilat

 I don't always take my tripod on trips with my friends, but when I do, I make sure to take some nightshots.

Going to the desert near Eilat sounded like an awesome opportunity to shoot star trails. The clear air, the cloudless weather, and there are no city lights close enough to outshine the stars. There was, unfortunately, another light source I hadn't considered... The moon was full and it was up that night, which lights up the desert like the sun when you try to take long exposures. 

The desert does have some interesting colors on a full moon night, but I can't say it was worth carrying the tripod in my pack all that time. 

Anyway, some images from the trip and from Eilat, after the jump...