David tells us about himself with a simple Q&A
Q1 Who is David Katz?
Born in the East End of London in 1966.
At 3mths old his parents were told he had an eye condition called Ocular Albinism. David is legally blind. Through the amazing support of his parents he attended a regular school and at the age of 7 given his 1st camera (or as David said pursuasively obtained it). This camera would form the beginning of a very successful career as a sports and press photographer.
By holding the camera in front of his face it allowed him to see things the way he saw them in his mind. By 16 he was working for a local newspaper following advice from his father who saw his potential. Sadly this was also the year his father passed away.
At 19 he turned professional working for the Daily Mail in Fleet Street photographing Royals, Polititians and Celebrities.
David pushed himself harder than most having more to prove as he kept his vision inpairment a secret so as not to be judged but get through on pure merit.
David went on to be one of the top Sports photographers in the country.
He progressed into documentary photography and was no stranger to No.10. In 2007 moved to Israel going back to sports. He became personal photographer to Benjamin Netanyahu for a time and was an imagery adviser for the goverment (if photos were faked etc).
In 2017 David set up the David Katz foundation to give help and support to parents of children who share his condition.
Pushing the philosophy
'There is no such word as can't'.
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Q2 Where do you get your inspiration?
His inspiration and passion came mostly from his parents.
At the age of seven his dad gave him his first camera the Ilford sportsman which was a real point in his life that forged his future. The first photograph David took was of a Soldier on the Western wall.
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Q3 Did you have any training?
No, self taught.
Q4 How would you describe your art?
To be able to capture a moment.
Cartier Bresson said "For me photography is to place head and heart and eye along the same line of sight.It's a way of life"
Photography is not about how far we can see but what we see. Eyesight is how far you can see, vision is what we see.
Q5 What artists inspire you?
Don McCullin as a kid, Monte Fresco (sport photographer), Mosheh Milner Israeli press photographer.
Q6 What does Sentiment mean to you?
Sentiment is something you have in your soul, it is there or not. To be great not just good you have to have Sentiment.
David's Sentiment
David's Sentiment piece is an emotional snapshot of his career spanning 30years as a professional photographer in the media mixing with celebrities, royalty, politicians, and sports personalities. David kept one thing from them that he was legally blind.
His decision to make this public shocking friends and colleagues was that he felt the time was right to give something back and help families with children who had the same eye condition to prove that simply,
There is no such word as can't.
He is a true testament to that and the images speak for themself.
This collage of his story is now part of the Sentiment collection and has been divided up into 1000 pieces allowing friends, family and fellow art lovers to connect to his story.
Each piece is mounted on a 24-carat gold leaf base with a thread of gold running through each piece. This connects all the pieces together and to the artist and in turn all the artists in the Sentiment collection.
Framed in a black wooden box frame, signed and numbered ready to share and be collected.
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To own a piece of David's Sentiment follow the link below and start collecting and connecting.
A human connection through the medium of art.