Michal Fattal
Photojournalist
“I find that observing people to be one
of the most fascinating activities i can
engage in. I always feel fortunate that the
camera enables me to do that. Already
in the early stages of my career as a
photographer, i realized that i have no
interest in creating a new world, but
that i would rather frame the existing
world according to my point of view.
Therefore, i chose photojournalism as an
opportunity and even as a mission: to
show through my own perspective the
people and situations that others may
not have access to, as well as a way to
express myself and find my own voice
within the society that i live in. I tend to
turn my camera particularly to women.
As a woman photographer, i find it most
interesting to observe other women,
to examine though the camera the
weaknesses and strength of the feminine
kind and the conflicts and contradictions
38 http://israeliartmarket.com
of femininity. By documenting women, i
attempt to understand my own femininity
and my place as a woman in the society.
I want to believe that as a woman
photographer, my glance is perceived as
less threatening by my subjects, allowing
me to assimilate into the situation in
a way that is more natural and less
intrusive, and to produce photographs
that are more intimate and authentic.
In the past years, i have realized that
i use documentary photography and
photojournalism in an attempt to
understand the human race and the
complexity of israeli society. Ironically,
instead of finding answers, i keep having
more and more questions. It is quite
confusing. Yet throughout this journey,
many wonderful things happen, and i am
exposed to so many people, situations
and places that i would not have been
exposed to without my camera.”