Book info:
Like every photographer, I love exotic locations. So when I had an opportunity to visit Istanbul, Turkey, I grabbed it. While the name alone conjures up romantic visions of age-old mystery and intrigue, modern-day Istanbul is a sprawling metropolis where contradictions – and treats for the eye – are around every corner.
I had just thirteen days – from January 26, 2013 to February 7, 2013 to see as much of Istanbul as possible and to shoot my photos. I explored the neighborhoods of Sultanahmet, Eminönü, Kabata?, Be?ikta?, Karaköy, Taksim, Fatih, Bo?aziçi, Üsküdar, and even The Prince’s Islands, often walking for most of the day – and into the night.
Avoiding “postcard” shots, I instead concentrated on showing the people of Istanbul as I saw them. What are they like? They’re warm, considerate, intelligent, hard-working, and sincere. Even the pesky carpet salesmen and restaurant hawkers in the tourist areas are entertaining. But one experience in particular stands out.
One day, I took a ferry across the Bosphorus from Eminönü to Üsküdar – a less touristy neighborhood -- on the Asian side of Istanbul. As the ferry left, I could practically taste the photos that were waiting for me.
Once there, I walked down a cobblestone street with stores on either side. At the end of the street, I stopped to take a photo. As I was peering down the viewfinder of my vintage Rolleiflex, I realized a man’s head was moving close to my own. There was no reason for concern: he worked at a nearby store and just wanted to check out the view through my camera. We both laughed and shook hands. I was in good spirits -- clearly Üsküdar was the place to be.
I hadn’t traveled thirty yards before I spied an older woman in traditional garb standing next to a rustic wooden cart laden with produce that was bathed in perfect sunlight. As I prepared to take the shot, the woman started yelling at me in Turkish and causing a scene. Suddenly, everyone was staring at me. One second I felt like I could do no wrong -- the next like I could do no right. A nearby fruit vendor interceded on my behalf, pointing to his head and moving his finger in circles, to let everyone know the woman was crazy. The mood lightened, the old woman started to laugh, and the fruit vendor gave me a tangerine as an expression of goodwill. It was a moment I will not soon forget.
But I knew the old lady wasn’t crazy, at least not where I was concerned. She probably has cameras pointed at her on a daily basis and had every right to complain. But I am a photographer – and I am compelled to get my shots. That's what I do. These photos are a love letter and thank-you to the photographer-tolerant people of Istanbul.
Dan Wagner
February 2013
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Testimonial:
Who needs the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul when you've got Unique Photo? You want digital? They got digital? You want analog? They've got that too. And do be a wiseacre and leave off the og in analog. That ain't right. I should know, because before flying off to Istanbul Turkey I stocked up on my favorite flavors of Tmax, Portra, and other films. And unlike the Grand Bazaar you don't have to bargain for a lower price, their prices are always the lowest, service the highest, delivery the quickest, and they even accept Turkish Lira - NOT. So get your keister off your ottoman, jump on your flying carpet, and get your buns to Unique Photo -- or you could be like me the Sultan of Lazy and let your index finger do the shopping online. It's so easy, you don't even need a Jeanie in a lamp to help you. Now that's what any photographer worth his bits and bytes would call "magic." Sheesh I'm such a kibitzer -- but you get the idea -- buy for now. F/8 and don't be late?