Dubi Roman
Did you arrive to art by chance or has art always accompanied your existence one way or the other?
One day I started photographing my impressions from nature and I ended up creating imageries that are my own artistic expressions. I would say that in a way we choose each other, me and my art.
Do you prefer using a traditional camera or a digital one?
So far, I feel I wish to keep my technology to the minimum and I wish to remain a traditional photographer. All my cameras are manual focus and so are most of my lenses. I scan my photographs only for the ability to enlarge it without loosing its qualities and to easily sent them through the web.
Which are the pros and cons of using a digital camera and a reflex? Which are the main differences between the two in your opinion?
To me the Reflex camera, especially a manual focus one, is more intuitive and continuing my hand and mind. I use only low-tech cameras in order not to get fooled by the automations and to keep myself creative and pure-minded. A photographer shouldn't bother himself too much with buttons and whistles, he had better concentrate on the subjects and express himself creatively and artistically.
How do you feel working with pixels instead of film is affecting traditional photography today?
I think the borders between photography and Imaging had been deliberately blurred. To my opinion, these are two different professions, and one shouldn't be mixed with the other.
Some purists say traditional photography is the most immediate way to depict reality while digital photography with all the enhancement and retouching stuff is somehow tricky. Do you agree with this statement?
My photography proves the opposite: their purpose is not simply to portray Israeli scenery but to go beyond the specific place to the universalism of nature. It is rather important for me to end up creating my images in the field itself while still under the fresh impression of the scenery. Using a later act such as lab montage process or computer manipulation may be a delayed and artificial act of restoring my memories into a phony atmosphere. To me this is not part of the real thing. Using traditional photography is certainly much harder this to use but it is unique and comes as a direct result to your personal and temporary state of mind. I wish to keep it that way.
You elaborate your photos in a most peculiar way, could you describe us your technique?
I am using multiple exposures technique on the same piece of film, part of the exposures are out of focus and some are in focus, some are are lighter than the others. I'm deliberately getting into overexposure in order to mix the layers better.
Do you look for a certain effect and atmosphere or may they just be the result of a casual process?
It is a photographic way to create impressionistic atmospheres to get as close as possible to impressionistic paintings, and to express my views on nature and life in a photographic way.
When was the first time you were really satisfied with the result of your work? I mean, is there any of your photos you consider the best you ever made?
I cannot point out my best photograph, this is something that has not much to do with creation but more with collection and evaluation, I sometimes may consider my images by their various influences over me and over their other viewers.
You are a nature photographer. Do you have an alternate favorite subject?
Yes, I love taking people's photographs in Black & White. I'm trying to emphasize their special personality and bring it to live at its very best on a piece of paper.
What is your attitude towards Black and White photography?
Black and White Photography is one imagery way of loosing reality for the benefit of a more personal point of view, nostalgic touch and the shaping of a universal environment. Black and White Photography might add a strong image timeless lives to make it even stronger. Although I mostly create my Images in colors, I can't resist the beauty and charms of the Black and White.
Are there other photographers and artists inspiring you?
Yes, Ernst Hass for his breakthrough in the essence of color of nature, his creative approach , and his variant imageries. On the other side there is Henri Cartier-Bresson with his love for human beings and his definition of the decisive moment.
Can photography as a means of artistic expression offer more than painting, illustration, etc.?
I think photography has its uniqueness and limitations; it is one of the arts even though it can be duplicated easily. Photography has tools that can't be reached in any other media and it certainly the art of the masses.
There are artists who use art as a means to express and communicate their beliefs and ideas. Do you think artists have the power to influence the world and time they live in?
Although it sounds very naive, I think artist have sometimes the ability to influence at least part of the people, and their view of an event may be taken into consideration more then others'.
What do you want to communicate with your photos?
As I wrote in my website:
"Creation is mankind's ultimate treasure.
In this Crazy region, during this time of bloodshed,
When Darkness intends to drown us all, Arabs and Jews.
I'm trying to emphasize hope; a few rays of light behind the shadows,
a Blossomed leaf, a flower's teardrop and the smell of mud after rain.
I simply wish to force us to take an inner look into God's mirror,
To realize how much we've got to lose.
Nature Photography is kind of a prayer,
I'm praying for us all..."
What are your future projects?
Projects concerned to people in their natural environment, projects created to help other populations.
What is your biggest fear these days? And what makes you happy anyway?
My biggest fear is war and the possibility of loosing one of my three boys,
Creation is my best joy that can sometimes make me forget that fear.
Thank you so much, Dubi. Let us join you in your prayer for a peaceful future for all the people in the Holy Land.
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