Mr. Joseph Borgi  – Photographer from Lebanon

 

Tales of nature beauty can be revealed in words but, Joseph Bourgi who has long been passionate about photography offers a new comprehension of this impulse through scenic pictures where shadows, lights and colors harmonize.

»The secret is to know in which angle to stand and when» he says.

He insists on capturing distinguished scenes that emerge in fleeting moments, yet his 40000 pictures have never been formally exposed.

Diafanis – Revista   was the first to meet the artist in an atmosphere full of respect for the enchanting nature.

– Looking at your pictures feels like diving into heaven, where only divined shaded and colored sites are found.  How difficult is it to find the desired site to photograph?

Diving into the splendor sky where the sun rays transcend the clouds to create fabulous scenes, is what I go after.

Chasing the sun rays when touching nature jewels including the mountains, the trees and the flowers to form marvelous shapes and shades is also what I aim to trace.

Catching a good site is easy because nature is full of beauty.
The secret is to know in which angle to stand and when.

The talent of the photographer is the essence of his works.  I sometimes fix my camera in a foreseen angle, turn on the timer and wait for the right moment to take the picture even when I’m not behind my camera anymore.  It is by experience and understanding of nature to know what and when my cam should click.  I go to many places and I’m rarely late.  Sometimes the sun disappears before my arrival due to the traffic jam in Jounieh city where I live.

 

– What pictures do you like to take and which ones do you avoid?

My relationship with the sun, the clouds, the sea, the mountain the flowers and the trees is very special as they tell me beautiful stories just when catching them at the right moment.

Admirers who see my pictures, don’t know that I saw them earlier from a different perspective.  For instance, the next day of a rainy day on my rooftop, as the bright sunlight splashes puddles of rain, I see circles as if they are stars shining in space.

The clouds pictures are very close to my heart.  I have more than 10,000 pictures of clouds as they tell me beautiful stories about the vast, rich and  stunning universe.

My pictures are noticeable by the shadows.

I do not seek, for instance, a picture of a house in a forest or a horse running on the beach if there are no shadows. The static nature does not impress me, contrary to the movement of the waves.

The sites I photograph have no empty spots, they are filled with colors, lights, shapes and shades.

 

– What in your opinion makes a good picture?

To take a good picture, the artist’s sense and sentiment toward the scene to be captured must come first. To love a scene means to see it before capturing it in the head and the heart and to expect how the viewer will see it afterward. I would like the viewer to like it as much as I do.

As I said, I want my picture to be filled with colors, lights, shapes and shades, for instance, when capturing the sky with the sea, there must be wavy shades and colors not still spots.

Diagnosing the scene from all angles and studying the shapes, shades and colors require patience I actually enjoy. In fact, it’s my great joy when I take a good shot.

 

– Is it your career to photograph or it’s just a hobby?

It’s a hobby.

I always felt I wanted to take pictures, but I didn’t have a camera.  I used to take pictures with my old cell.  Now photographing with my new cell and a new Sony camera that I just bought feels better

The owner of the shop I used to visit from time to time to print some of my pictures was always astonished. He used to tell me that I’m a very good photographer by talent.

Anyway, my previous career was to film events like wedding events and do montages with old and traditional means.

I always felt that filming is not what I only love to do and there must be a day when I’ll start taking pictures.

– What motivates you to photograph?

I like to document the beautiful moments of nature that will not be seen again. These moments are the gifts of God and they must be saved, as they are only moments in an eternal time.

I took thousands of photos, many of which are clouds photos. I took them all in the cities of Zouk and Jounieh where the sky wears uncountable new dresses every moment of every day.

It’s wonderful when I take pictures of the same spot at the same time from different angles. These pictures are similar to each other, but are not the same.

It is my ecstasy that every time I go out to photograph, I get at least 500 different fabulous pictures.

 

– You told us you bought a new camera? What editing software or means do you usually use to enhance your pictures?

It’s only my cells that I used to use. I know nothing about editing softwares.  I merely rely, when needed, on the brightness, saturation and contrast; simple options I have on my cells.  Anyways, the value of the pictures is keeping them just the same as captured.

I have not experienced my new camera well yet.

 

– How many pictures do you have in your archive?

I have more than 40000 pictures most of which were taken in nature.  In the beginning, I only enjoyed taking pictures and never thought to archive them.
Four years ago I decided to archive my pictures as they document beautiful moments that will not occur again.

 

– Have you ever participated in exhibitions?

No, I have never participated in a local or international exhibition. Such participation requires funding I can’t afford.

Although, many people who saw my pictures on Facebook and Instagram encouraged me to participate.

Anyway, with all struggles we are facing in Lebanon at present, nothing is easy to be realized.

A few days ago I bought a Sony camera. Its pictures must be better than my cell ones, especially when I aim to print a picture with the size I desire.  Also, exhibiting good camera pictures in the future, makes me more confident.

 

– Where do you usually display your pictures?

Every day I publish at least three pictures on six Facebook pages and sometimes on Instagram.

 

–   What would you like to add to this interview?

I wish more people see my pictures.

It’s my joy to see people contemplating my pictures like if they are listening to a beautiful piece of music or reading a happy story.

Ms. Hoda Zohrob (Lebanon) interviewer and translator from Arabic to English language.

 

Photographs by Jorbe Borgi