TY Camper and Photographer Abbey Trincere Sees What Others Do Not

Last summer, during our inaugural 2-week CampSight Photography intensive, Tel Yehudah camper Abbey Trincere took a photograph that was selected for an international photography competition. The competition’s theme was “My connection to Jewish people,” and Abbey’s photo, Summer Camp, depicts another TY camper in a candid moment of peace.

Abbey, who will graduate from high school this spring, says she has always been drawn to photography, specifically the idea that a still image can break the language barrier and tell a story. Like her celebrated photo, Abbey likes to notice—and capture—things that other don’t, moments others may find mundane. “I take photographs to show something; something that is often not seen if I were to wait until that moment had passed.”

While this was her first experience at Tel Yehudah, Abbey has been taking photographs for some time. In fact, her photography was selected to be featured in the gallery of her school, LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, (the school that the 1980 movie, “Fame” was based on) for a senior art show. Manyphotographs that she took at Tel Yehudah are featured in the show alongside her other independent work.

While Abbey will be packing up her camera to head to college where she plans to study photojournalism and the human condition, Tel Yehudah is thrilled to bring the 2-week CampSight Photography intensive and world-renowned Israeli-American artist Zion Ozeri back to camp this summer. Through the customized curriculum Ozeri developed with the Jewish Lens—a program designed to engage students in learning about the values that are important in their Jewish communities—and Beit Hatfutsot (Museum of Jewish People), teens will capture life at Tel Yehudah.

Ozeri will help a new group of campers gain a strong understanding of the photography process, including planning, execution, post-production, and exhibition planning, and do so in a uniquely Jewish setting, where they can enjoy the best of camp at Tel Yehudah, including music, sports, Israel education programs, Shabbat, and spending time with their friends. Reflecting on her experience last year, Abbey said she felt the summer intensive truly combined her photography interest with an inviting camp environment and Jewish community.

Working with Ozeri’s guidance, each camper will create a complete photography portfolio by the end of the intensive.