JONATHAN CHERRY: What have you been inspired by over the last month?

BENYMIN REICH: The Old City of Jerusalem is a place which gives me a lot of inspiration: the various religions, the bustling spirituality within a market of tastes and odors, and the faces of believers from all over the world. I have also gained inspiration from a fascinating movie I have seen lately, “Schoene Tage”.

JC: What was the last photography book you looked through?

BR: The last photography book I looked through was Survivors, by the wonderful photographer Aliza Auerbach, documenting the personal stories of holocaust survivors.

JC: What is ‘The Dead Sea’ project all about?

BR: I have been working on the Dead Sea project for a few years. I try to capture the human and natural landscape of this unique place, now in danger of extinction, losing about three feet of its water level every year. I photograph the people coming there, soldiers with their arms and Palestinians, who cannot go to any other beach, as well as the primordial, desert landscape. The deep sense of history you feel there mixes with the strong smell of sulfur emanating from the salty water and the black mud. Sometimes I sit in a natural pool of warm sulfur water, looking at the other side of the lake. It is Jordan there, so close, and yet so far from us Israelis.

JC: I find the above (first) image really interesting - can you briefly explain it?

BR: Secluded places around the Dead Sea, such as some natural springs and pools, provide a sense of intimacy and unity to small groups of people who travel and hike there, and sometimes try to conceal it from others. When I took out my camera, it seemed to have disrupted the serenity of the place and the bathers. After a while I asked to take a picture, and they agreed.

JC: What is next in the pipe line for you photographically?

BR: I would rather not spoil the readers’ surprise …

JC: What equipment do you use?

BR: My camera is a medium format, Roleiflex 2.8 gx, (limited edition 2000 347/500). I use mostly Velvia 50 ASA positive film.

JC: Any other thoughts?

BR: There are many plans to save the Dead Sea, but they are not carried out for political, economic and other reasons. I hope the neighboring countries, together with national and international organizations, will finally cooperate and save this unique spot on Earth.