20 Comments
Oct 1Liked by Dina Litovsky

Refreshing take, great photos. It is so warming to hear the project was well received and the people approached in the right way. Would love to photograph the Hasidic Jews in Vienna with a similar strategy. There, I lived next to playground where both Muslims and Hasidic Jews hung out.

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Great read (and great photographs)! I lived in Ontario for many years and would in certain parts of the Province run into areas that were dominated by Mennonites. I never felt they were insular, or indeed necessarily kept to themselves. If you were polite and courteous, they were too. They went about their day, I went about mine. I never dared photograph, but I like your idea that everyone was 'away' and therefore you could find a good way to interact. I like your photographs and your story. I don't know if you know or have heard of, or run into Larry Towell, he is a great friend of the Mennonites and lives among them in Ontario. He is worth checking out, if you have not come across him. He is Magnum, yet, I find him very unlike his colleagues. Easy to get along with and very friendly.

Well done. Nice project!

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Thank you!

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Oh my gosh! I would have been mortified with everyone looking at me after being called out as a non-believer. Thank you for sharing your experience, Dina.

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Sep 28Liked by Dina Litovsky

Beautifully done story. I live in Lancaster PA and if you ever want to see where they live the other 50 weeks of the year, I'll gladly show you around. In many ways they live similarly to the Hassidic Jews you see in NYC. These images are the first work of yours that I had seen and they still captivate me.

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Sep 28Liked by Dina Litovsky

I just loved learning about all of it! The vacation spot in Florida, your experience there photographing and the amazing images you created. Thank you!

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I loved this project (and was captivated by your images) when I came across it the first time around. It was great to revisit the story again here.

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Great project. Thank you for sharing!

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Sep 27Liked by Dina Litovsky

Great project. Thank you!

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Sep 27Liked by Dina Litovsky

Lovely piece, beautifully written and photographed. We need more compassion like this. Well done!

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Dina! You are 50 steps ahead of me!! I travel back and forth to Sarasota often. We almost bought a home there. I started my own collection and was looking forward to producing a book ... but hadn't quite gotten traction. Excited to see this take form. Beautiful images and I recognize some of the people.

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Thank you!

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What do you think would have happened next if you hadn't jumped into that car? 😄

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😳

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I like your use of colour😎📷😎John

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I love these shots Dina and the way you interacted with the people too. The Witness and the same-old-same-old images is all I really know about the Amish and Mennonites. Love the painterly beach shots and actually most of them really! Excellent work!

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Photos show clearly any misconceptions, congratulations

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Your work in this series is painterly. And the narrative is absolutely fascinating. Finally, on a personal note: your Guardian article is what introduced me to your photography! Seriously!!!

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A wonderful story. Lovely images backed by such respect.

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