After 18 months using the same preset, I though it was probably time to experiment with a change of look of my pictures. The new processing is very light, just a few Lightroom sliders tweaks here and there. The goal is to actually depict the world as it is, with its true colors. I hope you will enjoy it. (click on pictures for high res)
All pictures taken in Istanbul with Leica M8 and 35mm Lux Asph
I first got in touch with Emre through this website as we arrived in Istanbul. After a few missed opportunities, we finally got to meet and do some shooting together on our last night there. Emre took his daughter along, Zeynep, to help us with communication (though I eventually found out that Emre spoke amazing French) and we headed to Ara Güler’s coffee. Our outing ended on the shores of the Bosphorus after a few great discussions.
Emre with his one month old Leica M8
Zeynep elegantly carrying her Nikon
Emre has been 35 years into photography, going from street to studio work. An expert in automotive and architecture work, he also shoots extensively stock photos (and is teaching his daughter). I therefore took the opportunity to ask him a few questions and asked his opinion on shooting street photography for stock databases. (the pictures below were taken by Emre with his Leica M8 during our outing)
1) You have been for 35 years in photography, yet you only recently returned to street photography, can you explain why ?
On the early stages of my photo adventure, I was a street photographer. This went on for 5 years and later on turned out to a more dedicated, contractual commercial form. This went on for the next 35 years and all through out these years- on and off – I found the chance to shoot on the streets, especially on vacations and while I was traveling. Then iStockphoto started to accept editorial work, and it gave me the opportunity to start shooting again without carrying any commercial concerns. So once again I bought a digital Leica M and hit the streets. Meantime I also created a blog to share my photo’s and ideas.
2) You shoot a lot for Istockphoto and have thousands photos available for sale, what is the opportunity to offer street photographs in these stocks ?
Yes I am shooting also for microstock market and these days, I began to sell my street photographs under the editorial content. It is a new market for street photographers and I think editorial content will grow very quickly in microstock. You can see some of my editorial work on following link;
http://www.istockphoto.com/search/lightbox/10124327#103f7fee
As you know, for stock-photography market, model and property releases are the most important 2 things. Without these 2 forms signed out, you can not use the photos for commercial purposes. With this is mind, Istockphoto has opened recently a new section called “editorial -use-only images” where you don’t need any more for model releases or property releases. You can get info on this subject from their website :
http://www.istockphoto.com/article_view.php?ID=1096
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3)- Istanbul has changed a lot over the last 35 years, how did it impact street photography ?
35 years ago, when I used to take pictures of people on the streets, they use to ask me “why do you take pictures of a people whom you don’t know?”, today they ask me “which television channel, or newspaper these pictures are for?” :)
Thank you Emre, we had great pleasure meeting you and your daughter. To discover Emre’s website, click here.
It is already time to leave Turkey. A few readers wrote me and asked whether I could provide some tips for each of locations we visit, both in terms of photography and travel. I don’t intend to make a long and exhaustive column but just a few points about the countries we visit. So let’s start by Turkey.
Street Photography
We spent about 10 days in Istanbul and it took a while to get the feel of the city and go to places outside of the typical tourist paths. Indeed, the touristic locations are overcrowded and pretty similar to other Western cities. Once you get out of these neighborhoods, the everyday life of inhabitants and the oriental setting is wonderful for shooting. I urge you nevertheless to inform yourself before heading there since some parts of Istanbul might result dangerous. Overall, people reacted very well when shot and I mostly got smiles. I found Turkish people to be very friendly and helpful. The biggest trouble I got in was an old lady shouting at me in the middle of a square. Note that I also found some reluctance in Central Turkey, especially in small villages.
Leica M8 with 35mm Lux Asph at F2.8, 1/500, ISO160
Favorite locations for street shooting
- the Ferries docks at Eminonü
- the Galata bridge and its fishermen (a Ara Güler classic)
- Fener and its veiled women
- the sunset at Kadikoy on the Asian side
Leica M8 with 35mm Lux Asph at F2.8, 1/750, ISO160
Hotel recommendations
- Hotel Town Palace in Sirkeci by the piers. A bit more expensive than we would have liked (Istanbul resulted much more expensive than expected) but great value for money (49€) and great breakfast with view on the Bosphorus
- Hotel Valley Park in Goreme, Cappadoccia. Again a great terrace with view on Goreme for 27€ a night. Not a luxury place but a friendly owner and a good way to meet many people.
Thank you to all the great people we met here, we surely will be back one day !
Leica M8 with 35mm Lux Asph at F2.8, 1/8000, ISO160
… but is it enough ? (click on picture for high res)
Leica M8 with 35mm Lux Asph at F2.8, 1/500, ISO160
Like any touristic destination, there is the amazement, the discovery, the fun and the flows of money spending. Yet, behind the busy streets, every day life follows its normal course.
(click on first picture to launch slideshow, then use navigation buttons in the pop up)
It is close to 5h in the morning. We sit on the top of a hill overlooking Goreme and the neighbouring valleys. It is still dark yet suddenly, a light bulb seems to switch on a few kilometers away. The first balloon is ready to take off.
An hour later, as the sun slowly rises in the horizon, 49 balloons seem to play a gigantic air ballet. So the tourists can get a better view on the rocky valleys below them.
Many thanks to Claris and Andres (and their new born son Alessio) from Costa Rica that led us to the wonderful viewpoint. (click on pictures for high res).
Leica M9 with 35mm Lux Asph at F1.4, 1/30, ISO640
Sigma DP2 at 40mm at F2.8, 1/1250, ISO100
A little hill overlooks Goreme’s downtown. One follows a little trail and finds itself in the middle of a field of golden grass. Below stands the town, bathed in the last sun rays that pass over the cliff. (click on pictures for high res)
Sigma DP2 at 40mm at F2.8, 1/400, ISO100
Sigma DP2 at 40mm at F3.5, 1/400, ISO100