Interview / Tutorial by Editor Michel Romaggi in collaboration with the author Arnon Orbach
Published the 22nd of September 2021 

Arnon Orbach's photos, architectural details with cut-out shapes and bright colours, are reminiscent of abstract paintings. This is the case for 'Based on a true story...' and many of his other works.  That's the reason why I asked  Arnon how he creates such delightful images.

'Based on a true story...'

Why this title, Arnon?
First of all, thanks a lot for inviting me to discuss my photographic work. I deeply appreciate it.

The name  'Based on a true story...'  gives it away. The photo only served as a sketch for the final "drawing".  Two years ago, I was travelling for a few weeks along the shores of the Baltic Sea and visited Rostock in Germany. I came across a row of buildings in different colours, one adjacent to the other which had pointed roofs, the weather was not very good, and I did not get the photos I wanted so I used one of the photos only as a base to reconstruct and creatively edit the image to get to the desired result.

I would like to quote Picasso who said: 'I paint objects as I think of them, not as I see them'.
I believe it applies to my vision of my photography works.

 
Where does this taste for architectural pictures come from?
When I started photographing at the age of 15, I was more interested in people and landscapes, my interest in architecture was developed during my student years in London where I studied art printing and design. I was always fascinated by sculptures (my mother who was an artist made sculptures all her life). I realized that architecture structures are like sculptures as they come in all shapes and forms, and they involve different materials, textures and they can come in a variety of colour combinations.

When I walk in the streets of a new place, I feel like I'm in a huge museum of sculptures, some of which are fascinating and always create great excitement in me. So, for many years I found architecture to be my main involvement in photography.

'Facade-Nyhavn, Copenhagen, Denmark

'Sunset – Tel Aviv'

How do you choose your subjects?
When I travel abroad, I read about the places I am going to visit, and I walk all day in various neighbourhoods looking for interesting subject to photograph. Usually, the photographs I like most are of buildings I knew nothing about before visiting. I also like industrial architecture and would drive to any Industrial Park in the cities I visit.

I try to find a POV or angle that will show the architecture in a way that I feel will give it my personal interpretation of the building.

Most of my professional life I lived in London and worked as Creative and art director. I am not a documentary photographer, I try to give my vision, at times I prefer to show a detail from a place as I find it more pleasing aesthetically.

In the last 10 to 15 years If I see an architectural object that I feel that by making some changes in textures or colours I will produce a more interesting work, I will edit the original photo accordingly.

'Jerusalem urbanism'

What equipment do you use, what image processing software do you use? How do you manage to give the impression that they are paintings?
My main camera is Nikon D750 I use only 2 lenses, one is the Nikon 24-70mm 2.8F that I use for 80% of my photos and the other is Nikon 70-200mm 2.8F I also edit my photos with Adobe Photoshop.

I took some courses years ago and I enjoy editing on PS as it can really bridge between the photograph and my vision of the 'ideal'.

'The red door'

'Freedom 2'

Finally, can you tell us a little more about yourself and the place of your photography in your life?
I was born and raised in Tel Aviv over 74 years ago. I owe my passion for Art and Aesthetics to my parents who had a graphic design studio during my formative years
My father loved photography and used to take photos to document our life.
He bought me my first Nikon camera when I was 15 and I quickly developed a passion for photography.

At the age of 20, I went to London to study art printing and design.
In all the companies that I worked in, I always also had the role of Creative and Art director. I briefed photographers, picture editors and designers. I learned that cropping a photo correctly is an art on its own. It is all about arranging elements in a given space in such a way that they create a composition which attracts the viewer and offers a new interpretation of a familiar scene. Colours, for me, are tools to arouse emotions.

I find that photography gives me the ability to take a detail out of context which, when I succeed, gives it a new meaning.

'Green on red'

Thank you very much for these interesting explanations about your excellent work, Arnon!