On the Edge of Israeli Society

As a child, Israeli photographer Ziv Ish loved chasing butterflies. His father advised him to take a camera and try to photograph them. Since then, Ziv has not parted with the camera. But now he is not only interested in shooting nature, his areas of interest have become much wider. Ziv is currently working on a project about people who live on the fringes of Israeli society, including prostitutes, drug addicts and transsexuals.

(Total 8 photos)

1. “There are many areas in Tel Aviv where you can easily find drug addicts or other extreme city dwellers. I used to go there almost every day and explored these places inside and out.” In the photo: Lori and Hayk. (Zivish)

2. “It is very difficult to work with such an environment, especially if you do not belong to it, but just try to get to know people better.” In the photo: Emmy after a sex change, 2011.

3. Ziv Ish says that he was always attracted to the lower classes of society, and that "...maybe only a little luck separates us." Ziv considers his camera and love of photography to be one of such "good luck". Photo 2007.

4. “Natural zeal took me there again and again, and the camera was a great excuse. Thanks to the camera, I could constantly return to these areas.” In the photo: Cutting, 2010.

5. Ziv Ish's work is reminiscent of a photo of Nana Goldin, a famous photo artist from New York. Like Goldin, Ish feels a strong connection to his subjects and a desire to learn more about their lives. He believes that his photo is his reward for the time he spent with these people. But he appreciates the experience much more than the pictures. In the photo: the last portrait of Sofia, 2012.

6. However, sometimes it can be expensive. “The emotions and situations that I find myself in can have a strong effect on the photographer himself, and it is very difficult to suppress them later. And sometimes, apart from pain and stress, nothing comes, no experience. Sometimes, I myself feel like a drug addict: each time I swear that I will no longer go there, but then I come back again. I still don't know if this is a blessing or a curse." Untitled photo from 2010.

7. When working with people who are on the fringes of society, you must be sincere, because otherwise they will immediately feel that you are pretending. Untitled photo from 2008.

8. “Of course, each of us can buy a camera and take a photo, but the end result will always depend on your personal zeal and love for your work. As for me, I do not consider it a project, rather, it is a process that has neither beginning nor end.” Untitled photo from 2008.