Micha Bar Am Teacher – Soldier. Ma'abara (refugee camp), Kfar Saba, Israel. 1958.
“The subject of this photograph, Sarah, was a teacher to soldiers, born in the Kibbutz Shefayim. Sarah became, and remains, a c
(...) lose friend of mine. Today, she is still a member of this kibbutz and has 10 grandchildren. This photograph took place in the wake of mass immigration to Israel, during the 1950s, when local veterans made an effort to absorb the wave of newcomers. Women soldiers fulfilled functions in this absorption through education, particularly youth instruction, as well as weapons training for adults.
I have been impressed and influenced by Robert Capa's images since my childhood and have tried to adopt his dictum on closeness to my work.
Yet, with time, I have also added my own corollary: ‘If you're too close, you risk losing perspective.’ It is not easy to be fair with facts and to keep your own convictions out of the picture. It is impossible to be both a participant and an observer, witness, interpreter. This effort promises great frustration and an equally great reward.”
— Micha Bar-Am © Micha Bar Am | Magnum Photos
