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Magazine I Photography

Israel from above Photographer Israel Bardugo is an expert in aerial photography. In celebration of Jerusalem Day, we asked him to choose seven of his favorite shots of Israel and its capital that offer new perspectives on the sites and landscapes we know and love so well / By Adi Shalom

Israel Bardugo is an internationally renowned aerial photographer who won a special award from the hands of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 2014, and in 2022 was named by Forbes magazine as one of Israel’s five leading photographers. His work has won prestigious awards and been showcased in galleries and museums across the world. Why did you choose to specialize in aerial photography? “I belong to a family that has been involved in photography for generations in Europe during World War II. My father also did aerial photography during his military service in the IDF Air Force. As a photographer you’re always looking for that different, unique angle. Aerial photography allowed me to bring exactly that”. How does it actually work? “A lot of planning is required – as well as a great deal of patience. Photography is like hunting. There’s a lot of waiting around, but then,

when the right frame appears, you’ve got to be ready to pounce. As I stand at by the opened doors of a helicopter, attached to a safety harness, thrashed by the wind, I may sometimes wonder why I put myself through this - but then, I catch that one perfect image, and it’s all worth it”. Are there places or moments you particularly enjoy photographing? “I love the beauty of Israel, its desert, nature, historical sites. In terms of lighting, I love the “golden hour” when the light is soft”. Is there a picture of yours you particularly love? “In 2019, as we were flying over Jerusalem, clouds suddenly formed. Each nighttime flight requires a lot of permits and we only had ten minutes to achieve a stabilized image. But that year, the stars aligned, and we managed to get that shot. To this day, it’s one of the most significant photos I ever took”. bardugo.com

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32 ATMOSPHERE MAY 2025