Passion for the best in photography

PHOTOJOURNALIST Moshe Rosenzveig is confident his month-long photographic festival will capture the imagination of enthusiasts.

Israeli-born Rosenzveig founded the Head On Portrait Prize in 2004, attracting widespread interest thanks to the $50,000 offered to the winners. Last year, he broadened the event to become an annual festival, which opened on May 5 with 130 exhibitions around Sydney.

There are also seminars, workshops and special events in conjunction with galleries, such as the Museum of Sydney and the Art Gallery of NSW.

“The festival addresses a whole variety of interests and contains work from local and international artists,” says Rosenzveig, who is based in Bondi.

“The festival is showcasing the artistic, photojournalistic, commercial, technical and legal side of photography, as well as portraiture, landscapes, travel and fine art.

“While some of the workshops are aimed at professional photographers, the festival is also for enthusiasts.”

He says that some sessions focus on ideas and concepts.

“The seminar on rock‘n’roll ­photography will centre around celebrities, artists, gossip and the stories behind the pictures.”

Rosenzveig, who is a photojournalist, commercial photographer, educator and award-winning television producer/director, has had his work screened, published and exhibited in Australia and overseas for the past 30 years.

Having complemented his photography, film and multimedia work over the past 10 years with teaching and lecturing at universities and institutions, Rosenzveig revels in the opportunity to witness photography through fresh eyes.

“It’s an enlightening experience being able to pass on my knowledge to younger generations and gaining a different perspective from them,” he says.

“These days, everyone with a mobile phone is a photographer, so I’m trying to make photography more accessible, better understood and maybe lift the standard a little.”

Rosenzveig, a father of two, recalls having had a love for photography from a young age, but receiving a camera from his grandfather on his bar mitzvah turned it into a passion.

“I was always the photographer on school excursions and sports days. I was always there with a camera, even in the army,” he recalls.

“When I was young, I was a product of the ‘70s, I wanted to change the world through photography. I soon realised that it’s not an easy task, you have to start with yourself.”

As passionate as ever about his art, he adds: “The creative process of photography is what’s so exciting. The way that it starts with an idea in your head and then you see it materialise, going from head to hand, is so rewarding.

“The most rewarding facet of what I do is taking pictures of people because that’s when I have the chance to learn about them and exchange ideas.”

Both the Head On Photo Festival and Head On Portrait Prize are innovations of the Head On Foundation; a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008.

Rosenzveig hopes the festival will create an environment where people can bring their own perspective to the works.

“The idea is to create a canvas where the community can enjoy while learning, and also appreciate other people’s works and the varied processes and ideas behind them.”

Rosenzveig has grand plans for the future of the festival, which has become his central focus.

“While the festival is only in its second year, it’s growing rapidly. I’d like to work towards establishing a more ­serious platform for photography.”

The Head On Photo Festival runs from May 5 to June 11. Enquiries: www.headon.com.au

REPORT: Cassilee Kahn

PHOTO: Head On Photo Festival founder and artistic director Moshe Rosenzveig.