Holy Land photo ops...off/tour areas safe???
Mar 31, 2015 12:03:50 #
I'm not going until next year (likely mid-June so I can be there for my birthday - and save enough money). Hopefully there will be fewer political tensions at that time. Are there areas/subjects to definitely avoid/certain times of the day, or compositions that most people don't consider that would be safe to shoot? Or would it be better to be a typical tourist? I'll probably Google some State Department stuff and other websites but I'd like some first-hand advice if I can get it. I've never been in that part of the world (I thought it was in Africa, but Mapquest says it's in Western Asia...I've never been good at geography)
Mar 31, 2015 12:31:10 #
planepics wrote:
I'm not going until next year (likely mid-June so ... (show quote)
Most areas of Israel are safe and you can take photographs with no problem however be aware that some orthodox Jews may take offense if you push a camera right in their face. If you take a photo of someone it is always good manners to indicate what you are about to do and if possible get a smile or nod of acceptance.
Their are some areas in Jerusalem where gentiles /goyim are not particularly welcomed by orthodox Jews and also by some Muslims, it is you who is the odd one out, not them but a smile and an acknowledgment is normally disarming. Try to blend in as an ignorant tourist and all will be fine.
Mar 31, 2015 14:09:32 #
kavner58
Loc: Portland, Oregon
planepics wrote:
I'm not going until next year (likely mid-June so ... (show quote)
I was born and lived in Israel for many years. It is a safe country as long as you are in main cities, do not go to any of the Palestinian authority areas in the west bank. Israel is in Asia, not Africa / Europe.
There is lots of material on photo ops, historic places. You can spend weeks if you want - there is plenty to see and capture in this small country. Read as much as you can - you will never go to Israel if your information is watching main TV news outlets like CNN.
Enjoy,
-AK
Mar 31, 2015 18:46:48 #
Thanks to both of you for the info. I plan on going with Overseas Adventure Travel, a company my parents have used almost a dozen times and highly recommend. We'd bot get some kind of discount as well for the referral, me right away and her on a future trip. Relatively small groups and no single supplement.
Apr 1, 2015 08:14:45 #
I was there a few years. You'll have lots of opportunities to take photo's. I made a scrapbook. We also visited Egypt. That was scary. I love Old Jerusalem. You will love this trip.
Apr 1, 2015 08:20:44 #
lighthouse
Loc: No Fixed Abode
planepics wrote:
I'm not going until next year (likely mid-June so ... (show quote)
Which Holy Land?
Jewish? Hindu? Amerindian? Sikh? Moslem? Druid? Buddhist? Mayan?
Apr 1, 2015 09:07:33 #
lighthouse wrote:
Which Holy Land?
Jewish? Hindu? Amerindian? Sikh? Moslem? Druid? Buddhist? Mayan?
Jewish? Hindu? Amerindian? Sikh? Moslem? Druid? Buddhist? Mayan?
Really???
Apr 1, 2015 10:26:15 #
My wife went a few months ago and had a wonderful time. She was with a tour group and felt perfectly safe at all times. You will love it.
Dennis
Dennis
Apr 1, 2015 10:59:07 #
collhart wrote:
Really???
Ditto!
Christian (Gentile) if you really need to know. The "Holy Land" is synonymous with Israel and Jerusalem is the birthplace of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Apr 1, 2015 11:24:00 #
There is only one area in Israel that might and I emphasize 'might' be dicey -- Arab villages in the Galilee -- and that is rarely the case. It would only be true when the general tension level is quite high. There are lots of great places to take photos -- old city of Jerusalem being the most famous but the marketplace in Mahane Yehuda is very colorful. Have fun.
Apr 1, 2015 11:33:39 #
dandi
Loc: near Seattle, WA
I've been in Israel more than once, never had any problems. There is always potential danger if you won't use common sense but not more than in any other place.
In the old city of Jerusalem where you see holy places ( Jewish and Muslim) I would advice to be with your group.
I really enjoyed the desert by the Dead Sea, very special. Don't carry lots of gear, travel light- it's hot. Enjoy your trip.
In the old city of Jerusalem where you see holy places ( Jewish and Muslim) I would advice to be with your group.
I really enjoyed the desert by the Dead Sea, very special. Don't carry lots of gear, travel light- it's hot. Enjoy your trip.
Apr 1, 2015 15:31:26 #
I would stay pretty close to my tour group and ask my guide about areas I might want to venture into on my free time. My group was not given much totally free time -- perhaps so we wouldn't get ourselves in any trouble. The guides know exactly what is safe and what is not. (And most places are just fine.) And, as a Christian, my advice differs a bit from that of the person who responded after growing up in Israel. You are likely to be taken into West Bank areas (Bethlehem, for example) and you will feel safe there. West Bank or not, I suggest not pointing a camera at an armed guard or any soldier unless you are in a position to ask their permission. That's probably true for any country so go -- enjoy -- and just ask if in doubt.
Apr 1, 2015 15:33:51 #
Oh -- and the most beautiful pictures will be of the land or Old Jerusalem, and no one will mind that! If you are looking for edgy photos or politically-charged ones, just remember that journalists DO regularly get themselves in trouble in the Middle East!
Apr 1, 2015 16:24:24 #
Los-Angeles-Shooter
Loc: Los Angeles
planepics wrote:
Ditto!
Christian (Gentile) if you really need to know. The "Holy Land" is synonymous with Israel and Jerusalem is the birthplace of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Christian (Gentile) if you really need to know. The "Holy Land" is synonymous with Israel and Jerusalem is the birthplace of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Jerusalem is NOT the birthplace of Islam. Although Islamic propaganda claims Jerusalem is important to Islam, that is only a propaganda ploy and has nothing to do with historical or other fact.
Israel is safe, especially if you're traveling with guides. Avoid some of the Arab towns, but that information will be given to you when you visit.
Lots of stuff to photograph. Lots of nice stuff to see.
Some of the ultra-Orthodox don't like to be photographed.
Apr 1, 2015 21:38:00 #
DaveyDitzer
Loc: Western PA
We went to Israel in 2011 and it is fascinating. I did not feel uncomfortable, especially seeing so many folks armed to the teeth. I'm a marksman so I don't mind seeing M-16 carrying soldiers boarding the bus or armed civilians accompanying school children visiting the headwaters of the Jordan. We did have to change busses and tour guides when crossing into Bethlehem. Places to included besides Jerusalem, if you can, include the sea of Galilee, the Golan Heights so you can appreciate why Israel will not cede that area to Lebanon, Masada and the Dead Sea. Our tour guide at the Golan was an ex Mossad so he lot's of interesting stories. A tour guide is essential. Please excuse some of my spelling errors.
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