Ben Apfelbaum

My photography began when my father handed me the proverbial brownie box camera as a child. As cameras developed I went through Fujica and Olympus range finders graduating to my first single lens reflex camera, the Minolta SRT101, the latter being the greatest facilitator to my growth as a photographer. Digital photography has only added to this.

I was a regular contributor to Camera Craft magazine (Australian Camera ) for over three years.

During Australia’s Bicentennial year (1988) I made it a personal project to document the celebrations. This culminated in the creation of a book of my photos which was published in 1989. The book was called CELEBRATING AUSTRALIA and came with an accompanying calendar.

My works have appeared in a number of publications including the coffee book entitled MY AUSTRALIA (1989), publisher Robertsbridge Severn. This book had a preface by the then Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke.

I was a co-photographer on a book entitled SYDNEY-DISCOVER THE CITY with text written by Robert Treborland. Major Mitchell Press was the publisher.

Also for two years I was the photographer for calendars celebrating Sydney’s multicultural communities. The two calendars were entitled MULTICULTURAL SYDNEY.

My work appeared in a group exhibition held at Sydney’s Town Hall pertaining to the diversity of life in South America to raise money for orphanages there.

I have over one hundred photos stored in the New South Wales State Library archive. I had a solo exhibition held in 2007 entitled Ben’s Lens at the Sydney Jewish Museum which celebrated the vibrancy of the Sydney Jewish community. Some of these photos are on the Museum’s permanent display. I have exhibited internationally firstly at the Spruill Gallery in Atlanta Georgia, united states, and in an exhibition entitled Kosher and Co at the Jewish Museum in Berlin.

Currently I am a regular contributor to J-Wire and this esteemed publication.

709 posts by Ben Apfelbaum

chinese lunar new year zodiac lanterns

Just like the Vivid light installations surround Circular Quay, so do the giant lanterns representing the Chinese signs of the Zodiac.

Apart from Aries the Ram in western zodiacs, the Chinese monthly symbols are very different.

This year it is …

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parramasala celebrates a decade of multiculturalism

With the theme ‘Many Cultures-One Sydney’ Parramasala returns for the tenth time to Parramatta in 2020 from the 13th to the 15th March.

Festival Director Paul Osbourne stated that “We’ve reflected on the Festival’s incredible history and curated a wonderful …

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chinese lunar new year celebrations

The first day of festivities took place in Chinatown, Haymarket, and some spillage into the Darling Harbour precinct.

Food stalls were set up the length of the Haymarket and at times people could not move with large queues forming for …

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the vigil @ barangaroo reserve

Surrounded by 250 Aboriginal flags symbolising Captain Cook’s arrival 250 years ago, The Vigil took place on the eve of Australia Day with some people staying until the dawn of 26th January.

After a parade of elders into the campfire …

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australian institute of music celebrates its jubilee year

Founded in 1968 by Dr Peter Galvo, the Australian Institute Of Music (AIM) is the largest music, entertainment and performing arts institution in Australia. It is accredited by the Australian Tertiary Education Quality Standard  Agency (TEQSA) – a University equivalent.…

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cirque stratosphere season extended

CIRQUE STRATOSPHERE had a media call to indicate that its season  had been extended till the 19th January at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall.

Three acts were highlighted- the Russian Bar which was performed by Tymofii Chemko, Oleksii Balakhchy

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cirque stratosphere : season extended

CIRQUE STRATOSPHERE had a media call to indicate that its season  had been extended till the 19th January at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall.

Three acts were highlighted- the Russian Bar which was performed by Tymofii Chemko, Oleksii Balakhchy,

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frances keevil gallery : the last picture show

The delightful courtyard that adjoins the Frances Keevil Gallery will be bulldozed, together with the Gallery, to construct yet another block of units.

To ‘celebrate’ the impending demolition, Frances Keevil held a last hurrah Christmas Party as a form of …

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