JOEL BERENBAUM

Joel Berenbaum

Community of Residence: Boston (West Roxbury)
Email: VisualPoetPhoto@gmail.com
Website: www.visualpoetphotography.smugmug.com
Phone: 267-312-1136

Artist Biography: As a child, my family took month-long cross-country camping trips. We drove across the country staying nightly in the Tailgate Motel, our pop-up camper. National parks were featured, and our family enjoyed the normal excursion or new experience. I kept a camera by my side early, as did my father. My love of nature and travel, national parks specifically, grew over time as did my photography.

Following college, I fell into Outdoor Experiential Teaching. Basically, I took kids into the woods and got us lost. Team-building, science, environmental stewardship and at times, Torah were incorporated into my lessons. By the end of the week, my students would lead us back to camp.

I traveled alone from the east coast to the west coast and the I-95 corridor multiple times. My camera was always in the passenger seat and the driving and weekends were for exploration. My photography and education grew.

Today, my photography is a hobby most of all. Teaching special education is my current occupation. I’m also a dad and husband, teacher and everything else that comes with community and family. But my camera is never far from my reach.

Title of Artwork: Ancestor's Dance
Medium: Three photograph composition to a single image using Photoshop.
Dimensions: 1’×1’ (can be printed as large as 2.5'×2.5' possibly larger); printed/framed piece in Rabbi Claudia Kreiman's office.
This artwork is for sale
Description: The venue for a friend's wedding in Milwaukee, Wisconsin had an open vertical space. From the high balcony I was able to look down at the guests of a Jewish wedding dancing and circling, as done for ages. The slow shutter and multiple photos aligned atop one another allow for the circular blurring motion of dancing and frozen action.

Title of Artwork: The Rush
Medium: Photography
Dimensions: 4 x 3 (Can be printed large scale)
This artwork is for sale
Description: Following Hurricane Irene in Fall 2010, the massive amount of rainfall runoff coming out and off of the Berkshires Mountains, flooded the Falls Village, CT. waterfall. This is the beach, swimming area before the falls but due to the rush, it was running like Niagara. The yellow is the reflection of the Autumn leaves through the bright sun on the roaring water.