the contest caption on the photo reads:
Photo and caption by AGNIESZKA TRACZEWSKA
- Mea Shearim, the ultra-Orthodox district of Jerusalem. Newly married couple Aaron and Rivkeh will be alone together for the first time after their wedding ceremony. Their marriage was arranged by their families. The 18-year-olds met once to confirm the choice; since then they have been prohibited to meet or even talk.
National Geographic Traveler Director of Photography Dan Westergren, one of this year's judges, shares his thoughts on the second-place winner:
"Photography is a powerful tool for showing the ways that people around the world are clearly different but in many ways the same. The Orthodox fur hat and wedding dress are clues that this picture was taken in a very distinctive place. But the smile and laughter of the bride and groom indicate that these are teenagers reacting to a new situation.
"When I look at the image I can't help but think about the nature of love and marriage around the world. Here is a scene that in many parts of the world could be a young couple on their first date. Because of the clothes they are wearing I know that this is not a lighthearted encounter but the beginning of a lifelong commitment. Any photograph that can make me think that much deserves to be a winner."
------------------------------------------------------
Reach thousands of readers with your ad by advertising on Life in Israel
------------------------------------------------------
Wow! What a Kiddush Hashem their wedding (and marriage) is starting off with. :)
ReplyDeleteOn the plate there are two turtle-doves or pigeons, that's not chicken! It's a tradition at most Meah Shearim weddings. (I don't know if the chason and kallah are brave enough to eat from the pigeons).
ReplyDeleteinteresting.
Deletedo you know hwo the tradition began or what it means? do the turtle-doves represent faithfulness, or fertility or something else? or did it just start because in whatever year that was all they had?
It's actually a nice picture that has some sort of old fashioned effect, with a smattering of colours. Just two minor things like the shadow of the streimel and I would switch the pitcher of water instead of the bottle (great product placing my Mei Eden!), and the photo would actually seem like a staged professional shot.
ReplyDelete