Mobile Photography Intimate Interview with Efrat Sela from Israel

I was an athletic girl. I competed in athletics, with very good results, but I found that I do not enjoy competition. I enjoy athletics, primarily cycling, but without competing against others. Instead, I always try to improve and surpass my own performance.

At the end of my first year in Design study at university, I was invited to design a product as a present for the university president, who was finishing his service. The academy paid for that work.  I felt honored and excited. I think that was my first recognition. Someone bought my art, my creation.

After I finished my Army service, I was a flight attendant. I have very good memories of that time, traveling and discovering the world, being exposed to different cultures.

In Israel, we do not have many private schools. When I was young, we had even fewer choices so I never gave much thought to this. I went to public (state) school and sent my son to public school.  I think good public schools are important to give a fair chance to every kid.

In Israel, we all go into the army after high school, so in a sense we all work before university. My university years, studying Design and Art, taught me to think critically, to learn about history, and to investigate. We need to understand the past in order to rise for the future.

I have many mentors. In many aspect of life, private or professional I love to get a good advice and to be inspired. I cannot point only one.

I am in excellent shape; I am a road cyclist, training with a group. I wake up very early, before the sun, and start the day full of energy.

This is a very hard question; the best of course is a combination of both. I know some talented people that virtually no one knows, and some very famous people who have less artistic talent but who possess a great talent for self-promotion. First, we need to define what success is. I personally believe in talent and prefer quality to quantity.

I do not see myself as political activist, but I see common humanity in all people, which can seem political at times.  I photographed a Bedouin village that the government had decided to evacuate and this has caused severe problems for the Bedouins. I have been to the village many times with my camera. This evacuation is a very big political issue. I choose a side and found myself in politically and militarily tense situations.

A balance in life, balance in all what I am interested, in all my activity, in my work and private life. I am in a time of changes and I long for balance.

Never stop to do what I like, to keep moving forward.

My happiest moments are when I manage to disconnect from the pressures of work, family, and the craziness of the world and I am looking at life through my camera.

Passion and curiosity.

My son, he is my beloved project. Then, I think, helping a women named Svetlana. I photographed her as a documentary project, but in the process, I helped her to save herself from her drug addiction and likely death. Today she live a healthy and happy life, and I am very proud of her.

When people lie to escape the truth and choose not to face the truth.

I think she would be surprised and proud. Surprised because I live a life that was not in my first plan, and proud, because I do what I want and feel good with it.

My first film Canon camera, which was stolen from me three years ago.

To find the balance I am looking for, it is not easy at all.

No, I think we have one chance to enjoy life, and be. After life, everything disappears.

I can only say for this moment as my life is changing all the time for many reasons. These days I am very pleased, so I say eight. I enjoy what I am doing, I love the people who surround me, including my amazing kitty that is constantly near me.

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