Anyone shot in Istanbul recently?

[tashley]

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I was due to go to Iceland for a week's shoot next week but for various reasons I won't. That leaves me with a week to play with and I had thought to go to Istanbul to take shots of people and places but I'm not sure how welcome westerners with cameras are in souks, around mosques, in the street and so on.

 

Anyone have any experience of how safe it is, how easy to get shots, any real no-nos?

 

All advice gratefully received,

 

Tim

[stunsworth]

Tim, I've shot a lot in Turkey, though I haven't been to Istanbul for quite a while. I've never found there to be a problem.

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[erl]

Tim, Istanbul a fabulous destination for a street photographer as well as landscape. Be aware that certain cultural attitudes don't favour shooting blatantly at people, especially women. However, a little discretion is a great help. You will be constantly approached by local "agents" to be guided to the "best" carpet shops etc but that is all part of the game of "streeting". Allow yourself to engage with some of these people. They will usually show you very courteous hospitality and probably agree to some photography. It all takes time so don't be in a rush.

 

I always start my day in the Grand Bazaar before heading off in other directions. The Bazaar is a fantastic tin of worms and teeming humanity. You will fill several SD cards or burn rolls of film. It, like Paris, is also excellent for B&W photography.

[nryn]

I went last year. Pics here: etherfarm's Istanbul set on Flickr

 

I took the M8 and 3 lenses: 15CV, 35 Summilux, and 50 Summicron. If I were to go again I probably would take the 15, 28 Summicron, and either the 35 or 50 Summilux.

 

I loved it and very much plan to go back someday. There was a bit of tension in the air as I went just before their hotly contested election, but that made for some interesting shooting as well.

[stunsworth]

I have to say that it's a city I've been meaning to go back to for several years.

[Guest wls.shanghai]

Tim -

 

don't worry!

Istanbul is a fabulous city with wonderful people.

I've made a lot of trips to Istanbul - alone and sometimes with my wife -

never -never had any problems.

 

Great place for a "street photographer" - B&W !!!

 

Regards

wls

 

btw: you can find some of my B&W pics from Istanbul here in the forum.

[tashley]

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Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated... I don't want to get in trouble or offend anyone!

 

t

[NZDavid]

It's a wonderful city. You will get hassled by carpet sellers in the more touristy parts of the Old Town, and some of them can get quite objectionable and obnoxious. (We would probably have loved to buy a carpet if they hadn't been so insistent. Instead we got away from them as fast as we could.) But step a few streets back and the hawkers will leave you alone -- amazing. Generally, Turks are extremely friendly, and we loved the food.

 

Main sights -- Hagia Sohia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi palace -- are excellent. Use fast film/ISO and wide angle lenses for interiors where tripods are not allowed.

 

Streets around spice bazaar are colorful. Grand bazaar is very touristy but still interesting. Also worth seeing are the underground cistern and archaeology museum. Hop on a boat for views of the Old Town from the water (longer lens handy). Have fun!

[roguewave]

Send a PM to Semrich (Richard Weathered). Just had the pleasure of meeting him & his wife Semra. They live in Istanbul & he's got every camera, lens & film combo under the sun, knows how to use them & shoots everywhere in the city. He's the real McCoy.

[akiralx]

I went in April 2007 and shot these:

 

Alex & Justine : photos : Istanbul, April 2007- powered by SmugMug

 

The carpet sellers are a pain, agreed. Go on a boat trip for some good pictures.

[Hacker]

I was there some years ago, and used a Nikon P&S.

 

Turkey 2002

[Arthur Winner]

Hi Tim,

I was there in September and had no problems.

Arthur

[stuny]

Tim -

 

To say "no" to a carpet salesman, roll your eyes up.

 

Go into our site and read Barbara's trip notes on Turkey. The Istanbul sections (beginning and end of the piece) will help you select places to visit.

[os1991]

Hi Tim, it's a great idea to visit Istanbul! Like all the others said, Istanbul is a magnificant city. In fact, it's by far my favorite place in the world (been there about 20 times). When you like street photography, winter is also a nice time to visit, because there are not so many tourists. You'll be able to capture the real soul of Istanbul. About safety: there is really nothing to worry about. I have never had any negative experiences and the people are very friendly and hospitable. I feel much more comfortable walking in the streets of Istanbul then for instance in Paris or London. For photographers Istanbul is an ideal place. Most people welcome you with open arms when you want to take a picture of them. I even had people asking to be photographed. You will find that Istanbul is a much more modern place then you think. It's actually a modern european city with just that little middle-eastern cultural twist. It's great.

 

I suggest you check out the turkish "master of leica" photographer "Ara Guler". His photographes are amazing and he shoots almost exclusively in Istanbul.

 

I hope to have helped you with your decision. Enjoy your trip!

Osman Aksoycan

The Netherlands

[tashley]

Thank you all kindly folks! I unfortunately didn't make it: some new glass I needed to make the trip worthwhile failed to materialise in a functioning manner (grrrrr) so I decided to spend a few days in sunny Cornwall instead... though it is in fact astonishingly cold here! But I will reschedule the trip and take all your kind suggestions into account.

 

Best

 

Tim

[Guest Luis D]

I do not know, but I am sure many more people were shot in any of USA major cities recently, so I would not fear about going to Istanbul.