Eli Posner | Photographic Communication (B.A), 2005

I'm a person who believes passionately in learning. I began working as a photographer long before I studied the art and science of photography, and before I realized the challenges of the profession. My experience at Hadassah Academic College, however, gave me new tools to apply to my trade and to improve my craft.

Today photography is very accessible to everyone – digital photography is everywhere, on Instagram, on your iPhone, and available to nearly everyone. This near universal accessibility creates the illusion that everyone is a professional photographer. There are also many short-term basic photography courses available to the general public, but these basic overviews can in no way compare to the depth and understanding that comes from degree studies. Anyone who wants to be a true professional photographer really must go to college and study the field at an academic level.

The Department of Photographic Communications at Hadassah College provides students with outstanding tools to begin their careers in photography. The techniques taught are excellent and the academic faculty are supportive and amazing teachers - I learned a lot from them.

The most important thing I learned at Hadassah College was to become familiar with the great photographers who developed the modern art form. Learning about those important artists and craftsmen helped me to understand how the field of photography became what it is today, and where different elements of the field stand in relation to one another.

Today I am the Director of Photography at the Israel Museum. I've been with the Museum for ten years and I'm responsible for the museum's photography laboratory. Our work in the lab includes overseeing any advertising for museum as well as the museum's interior photography - anything to do with catalogs, brochures, public relations, journalism, etc…

My work is unique and important. In Israel, photography of art and reproduction photography is uncommon. I actually began my career at the Israel Museum while still a student at Hadassah College. The College works hard to help its students find work and volunteer opportunities in their fields which can help set them on their path to future careers. Thanks to the education I received at Hadassah, I am fortunate to be able to go to work each day in an enriching world or art, mystery and beauty. I am able to work with some of the best photographers in my field. Our work is crucial to helping preserve the items in the Israel Museum's collections and to help share so much of that art with the wider public.