Changing The Picture

From the Jerusalem Post article. 31/12/2010

By YONI COHEN 

Packing up and reinventing yourself professionally in a new country is never easy, especially when it involves cultural differences and a change in direction. However, Tom Langford, a professional photographer with an established careers in Europe, recently decided to leave it all behind and came to discover the fast-growing and vibrant arts scene that makes Israel the place to be.

Tom confesses that it is only thanks to his Israeli wife that he was introduced to all that this crazy country, with its bemusing parking laws, has to offer.

He grew up in a poor, but artistic family in the northeast of England, and once he was old enough he moved to London and enrolled in art college.

As a self-taught photographer he became a professional just because of his interest in the art form. He spent 35 years taking photos of the best-looking models London could throw at him and enjoyed every minute. Then an Israeli entered his life and everything changed.

He moved to Pardess Hanna, along with his wife, just over two years ago and has not looked back since. “I prefer living in Pardess Hanna than in London,” he affirms. “I feel at home here. When an Israeli comes to visit for the first time, it seems like they have been friends for years. I like the warmth of the people.”

However it was not such an easy adjustment. “There are a lot of cultural differences to overcome,” he admits.

Even though he has still not acclimatized himself to the Israeli parking and driving etiquette, he enjoys the challenges that living in the Middle East entails. “Every day is an adventure here in Israel. It is never boring.”

Not only was he faced with the challenges of moving to a different country, he also had to reinvent himself professionally. Since he has been in Israel, he has focused on teaching photography to various people with differing levels of ability.

“I now teach what I would have liked to have be taught,” he explains.

He holds interactive field courses using classic Israeli backdrops, such as historic Tel Aviv and Zichron Ya’acov.

“Most people are not visually aware. I don’t necessarily teach people about photography techniques, I teach people how to use their heads.”

“Since I have moved to Israel I have enjoyed the challenge of looking for new things to do,” he says. “I love teaching, but I have also explored my passion for designing websites and retouching pictures.”

Tom Langford is a prime example of someone who has created a whole new life for himself in Israel and is using the opportunity to rediscover his talents and interests.

“Although I do sometimes miss a good English café, I am happy here, I do not miss home.”

Tom holds photography courses for beginners and “improvers.” For more details about the next available courses visit www.langford.co.il/courses