Foto Friday – Israel in the frame with Miriam Safira Simon

April 8, 2011 - 6:00 PM by Rachel Neiman

Miriam Safira Simon says that she has been a nature photographer since she got her first camera more than 25 years ago. since then, she has taken pictures on travels that have taken her to more than 36 countries on five continents. But she makes her home in Jerusalem where, for the past several years, she has been a photographer and writer for the wonderful nature and travel glossy, Eretz Magazine.

Simon is also a licensed tour guide, with a side specialty in photographic tours of the country. She’ll be leading two walking tours in the coming weeks: on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 Brave Ventures Outside the Old City Walls will visit the three first Jewish neighborhoods built outside the Old City walls, find out what finally convinced Jews to leave the Old City, and what their daily life was like. (Meet at the Lion’s Fountain, at the junction of King David St and Emek Refaim St. at 9:00am).

Nachlaot’s Picturesque Neighborhoods will take place on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 and will include an overview of 19th century Nachlaot, Mahane Yehuda and some relevant sites on nearby Jaffa Road. (Meet at the corner of King George and Agripas Streets at 9:00am. The cost of both tours is NIS 50 per person. RSVP 054-521-6933).

In her role as tour guide, she shows visitors — and locals — with a passion for photography, the country’s varied flora, fauna and natural beauty. Through her eyes, Israel’s environment is never separate from its history. Rather, the environment is surrounded by history, as in this series entitled Natural Frames.