Ilan Burla is a 46 years old Israeli who works as a motion designer. He is a father to 3 beautiful boys who goes out to the street in order to take photographs in his spare time.
Statement: I love the street, love the people, smells, noise, animals, traffic. My desire is feeling all of that as close as possible! And this mainly the style of my photography: close and intimate.
You can find Ilan Burla on the Web:
What is your first childhood memory?
The family kitchen. My grandmother slaughtering a carp in the kitchen after me being friendly with it.
Are you still learning who you are?
Every second in my life.
Who are you when no one is looking at you?
A peaceful harmless creature.
What got you involved in photography in the first place?
The birth of my first son.
Ansel Adams once said: You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved. Could you tell us about your favorite photographs, books,
music and people who are closest to you?
I really can’t point my finger to a certain influence. I read a lot (any kind, especially Russian classic authors), listening to music whenever I can (any kind, especially hip hop and funk). And absorbing visual thrills from my surroundings every given second…
There’s a thin line between invading people’s privacy and taking their photographs. Why do ethics matter?
It’s a hard question for me to answer. because my photographic style is very intrusive. Ethics do matter, but I’m not the one to talk about them.
Bruce Gilden claims that photography is a voyeuristic medium. Does it resonate with you?
In any manner. He is so right and you have to be a good voyeur to become a good photographer.
Have you ever acted rude in front of people you have tried to photograph?
Yes, I have, and it was a huge mistake. It happened a long time ago, and part of my learning process is to understand that it was the wrong way to handle things.
Have you ever been following your subject that the person could eventually think you’re a stalker or a pervert?
Once or twice… Every time I go out shooting.
Gloria Steinem once said that the truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off. Are you getting nervous when someone goes deeper and scrutinizes your work?
Maybe at first. but these days I’m open minded and willing to hear every kind of criticism. I am not sure if I will agree, but…
What if you take images for a couple of years and don’t get a positive audience reaction? Would you be still
taking them?
I really can’t tell. I hope it will never happened.
Do you often get jealous of someone’s achievements?
Of course!
If you could wake up tomorrow in the body of another artist, who would you choose and why?
Maybe…. Kendrick Lamar. I love his music, loving his style. And I really love all the hip hop culture.
What artist made the most impact on you and why?
Photographically speaking, it will be Martin Par as I was amazed, and still am, by his brilliant work. I adore the way he is seeing life.
If you could have personally witnessed a perfect street scene at the right decisive moment, what would you want
to have seen?
Any intense interaction.
If you could witness and photograph any historical moment of the past, present – or future – what would it be?
Woodstock.
What’s on your photography bucket list this year?
Filing my arsenal with damn good pictures!
What do you like to do outside of photography?
My Kids… being with them clear minded.
Blind and live forever or be able to see and die in a couple of years?
I choose death.
What do you want your tombstone to say?
Wassup!
About Arek Rataj
“You Can Shoot. Can You Talk?” is a series of interviews created by Arek Rataj. He is a Qatar-based journalist, contemporary photographer and educator.
Arek was born in a small industrial district in communist Poland under the Soviet Union dictatorship. In midst of this human misery, political hypocrisy, environmental dirt and ugliness, he became particularly sensitive for all signs of beauty and transcendence.
You can find Arek Rataj on the Web:
Copyrights:
All the pictures in this post are copyrighted Ilan Burla. Their reproduction, even in part, is forbidden without the explicit approval of the rightful owners.
