Women of the bible

Women in the Bible in the Golan landscape is the largest and most significant project for of mine, as if all my loves have combined together in a project of no compromises. My inspirations are many and diverse, Biblical stories, being the base. Other sources of inspiration come from myths and mythologies, classical art, the Renaissance and middle ages eras. I started working on “Women in the Bible” as a series in 2013. I got the idea as I was working on another series: The Never Ending story- photography of Myth women. One of the characters in the series was Job’s Wife (2012),the work exposed me to the idea and made me stop working the series and focusing on the larger and fundamental subject of Biblical stories, being firstly true love of mine ,but to so many people as well. The project is big and could last for many years as there are so many characters of women in the Bible.. also seemingly secondary characters, who’s name is mentioned once without any elaboration, who get further elaboration in Chazal stories. As it is well known, there are no “unnecessary” words in the bible, therefore the is significance, even if just mentioned by name. Working on the project” Women in the Bible” I dedicate most of my time to research and studies. So far, for the past 3 years working on the project, I photographed (just) 19 pictures. The work starts with choosing the character, then comes the process of comprehensive research and materials collecting. Starting with reading the source, through Rashi , Agada up to literature composition and modern poetry. The research lasts to the moment that something sparks as the final frame in my imagination. It will mostly consist impressing motifs form the materials I read . Planting the motifs create depth and promise further findings, which aren’t exposed in initial viewing of the photo. Sometimes I add details that are not part of the origin, for example Prophetess Dvora is presented riding a hours. There is no reference in the Biblical sources – that is how I pictured her character, and yet it amazes me how people recognize Dvora immediately in the photograph. The dresses I mostly create on the model, literally on set, using long fabrics and many pins. The most complex pictures in the series are the ones with animals. photographing animals in open space turns the work complicated and highly challenging. Every little creature in nature intrigues and startles them. The long fabrics worn by the models draw their attentions and sometimes scare them (not to mention the vegetable tray held by Abigail, that was very appealing to the mare. Photography day with animals always end with scratches and bruises but with a sense of satisfaction and victory when achieving the desired frame. The Golan landscape, my home for the past 12 years, are the setting for the series of photos. The row mountains change appearances in coordination with time of day and season. During summer dried, wiled and primeval. The intense contrast of light and shade on the bold mountain during certain hours, create, in my view, the illusion of a giant primitive beast, arid, ancient and takes my imagination to an old fantasy world. After a good portion of rain, during winter, the mountains are covered with a fresh intense green cover and the same photograph angel can look completely different. Sometimes I have to be patient and wait several month for the right moment for a particular frame, according to the changing scenery. In that way the ornamented Golan gives me unique and diverse setting. I’m greatly thankful for the opportunity given to me in photographic documenting biblical stories, I long achieving more stories and maybe in future telling the stories of male characters of the book of books. About Dikla Laor View Profile Israel Share This Project LensCulture Magazine Explore Learn About Us Project Reviews Call for Entries Dikla Laor Search Dikla Laor ProfileProjectsBooksSubmissions Submission 38 views diklalaor.photography diklalaor LOCATION: Golam Heights, Israel About Dikla Laor Women of the Bible is the largest and most significant project I’ve ever undertaken — a project bringing together all of my passions without compromise. My inspirations are many and diverse, with the most important of these being the Bible. Other sources included myths and legends, as well as classical art from the Renaissance and Middle Ages. I started working on my Women of the Bible book series in 2013, and soon realized that because of the endless array of powerful Biblical women in these stories, the project could last for many years to come. As it is well known, there are no ‘unnecessary’ words in the Bible — meaning every single name bears strong significance. Working on Women of the Bible, allowed me to dedicate much time to my own study and knowledge of the Bible. The work begins with focusing on one singular character, followed by comprehensive research and collecting of materials. I begin by reading the source, and then explore literary works and even poetry surrounding the characters and situations. The materials I use to study lead me to creating motifs, which lead to further depth and development. Most of the photographs involve me combining recreated scenes, with added touches and flourishes from my own imagination. The dresses are created directly on the models, using fine fabrics stitched together. The most complex of the photographs involve animals usually, due to the unpredictable nature of their behavior. And by the end of a typical day capturing these scenes, we usually all have scratches and bruises — but it’s all worth it, the sense of satisfaction of a productive day’s work is incomparable. The landscape of the Golan Heights, where I’ve made my home for the past 17 years, are the setting for most of the photos. The mountains majestically change based on the time of the day, as well as the season. During the summertime, the scenery is dry, wild and primeval. During the winter, the mountains are covered with an intense greenery that injects life into the surroundings. Sometimes I have to be patient and wait several months for the right moment, to capture the perfect frame to express my vision. I’m eternally thankful for the opportunity to be able to capture powerful women of the bible, through this unforgettable journey of religious photography, devotion and expression. 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