It’s all happening in Tel Aviv
Award-winning photographer launches photo contest depicting life in Israel’s cosmopolitan coastal city
Do you love Tel Aviv? You could show some of that affection by entering “Tel Aviv Happening,” a photo competition depicting life in the big city.
Travel photographer Sivan Askayo came up with the idea after several of her photos were not published because of last summer’s conflict in Gaza.
“I was supposed to shoot three big stories about Tel Aviv for some really big magazines but unfortunately, because of the war, the articles and assignments got canceled or postponed,” said Askayo. “It got me very frustrated at first, but I decided to become pro-active instead.”
Askayo, who moved to Israel from New York a year ago, is hoping the photography contest shows people in the industry that Tel Aviv is “alive and kicking,” she said.
A still-acclimating resident discovering her new home, Askayo has found that Tel Aviv has “lots of interesting layers and contradictions,” she said, referring to the bright colors, textures and patterns of the city’s Bauhaus architecture, food culture and markets.
“I always say that I don’t really know Tel Aviv that well — I know New York like the palm of my hands — but I get to know and sense the city thanks to the shooting assignments I get,” Askayo said.
The contest is being run through GuruShots, an Israeli app that enables photographers from around the globe to showcase their work.
The app incorporates a crowd-based voting system, enabling both amateur and professional photographers to compete for the chance to win prizes in categories such as Top Photographer, Top Photo and Guru’s (Askayo’s) Top Pick.
Prizes are sponsored by companies that have partnered with GuruShots and include a combo camera strap and protective case and Amazon gift cards.
Askayo is also offering tips throughout the challenge, helping budding photographers find the right shots and subjects.
To take part in the “Tel Aviv Happening” photo contest, visit gurushots.com/challenge/pulse/tel-aviv-happening. The contest ends January 7.
