A while back, I submitted six photographs from my Passing Through Anatolia series to a contest on LensCulture mainly to support their work. Another incentive was a review of the submission if I submitted 5+ images, and I did want a real review as they promised. A week or two ago, I received a note … [Read more...]
The Pleasant Sides of Istanbul
As much as I wrote about the discomfort and stress I get in Istanbul, I should also mention the comfort zones, the pleasures even if they may be in the midst of the dreaded construction everywhere. There are still pleasant sides of Istanbul and you can find them. Around the house, we always had a … [Read more...]
Discomfort of Istanbul
This photograph has been in the making for about 20 years, maybe even more. When I first thought of taking a photograph from this point, on the exit connector from the freeway, the trees were not nearly as tall nor have the looming towers were built. The apartment buildings are situated on the … [Read more...]
St. Augustine Chapel
Our friends invited us to Fenerbahce Dalyan Club last week. As we arrived we saw an old stone building which I later learned was an old seminary attached to a church. During the dinner, I excused myself and started searching for the church which led me to a couple of strangers who directed me … [Read more...]
Our First Couple of Days in Istanbul, 2017
After a very comfortable flight, we arrived in Istanbul about 75 minutes earlier than expected, always a nice surprise! Mustafa met us at the airport and we left the parking lot to a surprise! The ever crowded and jammed traffic was surprisingly flowing and the lanes were practically empty, I saw … [Read more...]
Albert Kahn — The Archives Of The Planet
Photography has a very rich history and by its nature, it spans the whole world. I stumbled on a branch of this rich history and learned about Albert Kahn whose generosity allows us to enjoy over 70,000 autochrome plates from all corners of the world, well, most corners! Autochrome Color The … [Read more...]
Restoration Next Door
Restoration next door? No, not here on Spring Green Rd, but in Ayvalik, Turkey. Ergun sent me a few photographs last September that he took inside the house next to theirs as it was undergoing renovation. A few he sent were promising abstract photographs and I encouraged him to take more. The … [Read more...]
Empty Streets On Christmas Day
Holidays, especially the Christmas Day in most of the United States mean gathering, small crowds of family and friends, and celebrating the holidays. As they all get off their cars in front of the family member's house holding the dinner, they enter to a cheery house with people greet them with open … [Read more...]
Always Colorful Markets
Various types of markets (called pazar in Turkish) are a way of life in Turkey. There are permanent markets, like the Kadikoy Pazari (market.) Others, like the Kuzguncuk Pazari, have a large weekly, and a smaller permanent market. The goods range from vegetables, edibles, meat, fish, cheese, spices; … [Read more...]
A Disappointing Restoration Project
I strongly favor keeping the old architecture alive, restoration, repurposing, and keeping the texture of cities and towns to the extent possible. This, I see in Rhode Island where I live, and nearby states. In fact, I saw 100-year-old photographs of New York compared to photographs taken from the … [Read more...]