The Holy Land is an area rich in history and tradition and makes for a beautiful subject for fine art photos.
Whether you train your camera on the people of Israel, the landscapes, or the architecture, there are opportunities at every turn to tell an impactful story with your camera and lens.
To craft images that connect viewers to this land, you have to know a little history about it.
This image, entitled The Great Divide, shows the Mount of Olives east of Jerusalem.
According to the Bible (Zechariah 14:4), the Mount of Olives is where Jesus will return to Earth, at which point the Mount will split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and the other half moving south.
Understanding the religious significance of this area and having a little background information about what Christians believe will happen here makes this high-contrast black and white image of Israel that much more compelling to view.
Note how the stark contrast between shadow and light in this image might be representative of the splitting of the Mount of Olives upon Jesus’ return. That kind of symbolism makes photos like this much more than a simple image, but instead true fine art.
The image above, entitled The Kidron Valley, might seem like a simple black and white image of an Israeli settlement. However, there is a rich history in this area that should be understood when viewing this photo.
It was in the Kidron Valley where Jesus was betrayed by Judas in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Since that time, the Valley has seen many conflicts and wars, advancements and developments, yet through all the turmoil and changes, it remains a sacred place and one of vast historical importance.
Capturing images of places like this in fine art images adds to the historical record and allows future generations to look back and explore what life was like. What a testament to the power of photography! Be sure to check out Vandivier's next workshop in West Texas.