Istanbul: Advices for a short trip?

[dct]

How beautiful are threads like this one
http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=114531

Coincidentally I will be in Istanbul the 1st days of May. Just a short trip of three days organized by our company. Are there any advices for places to go as a photographer, excluding the well known typical tourist sceneries?
I'm supposed to carry the X100 and Hexar RF with 15/28/50mm and a few rolls of b&w.

Thank you in advance for your insider tips.

 

[Roger Hicks]

A lot of the well known tourist stuff is pretty damn' good: Hagia Sofia, the Grand Bazaar, skyline from bridge (especially twilight/night), ferry crossing, markets on Asian side...

Cheers,

R.

 

[ktmrider]

My daughter and I spent a week in the old city a few years ago. Loved it including the tourist stuff. It is a great location for street shooting. We both think the Turkish population are among the most gracious in the world.

Only annoyance are the touts trying to sell carpets. We broke the code after being there for a few days in that when they approached us, we would simply say we had already bought a carpet (which we had). They lost interest in us immediately and we did discourage their interest without being rude.

If you can get a tripod or other firm support into the underground cistern, it begs a long time exposure.

 

[NY_Dan]

I was in Istanbul for 13 days last January/February. Here's a link to the preview for a Blurb book I made: http://www.blurb.com/books/4162573-istanbul-13-days I tried to see as much as possible. There's nothing wrong with the tourist areas for photo ops. The Bazaar is a great spot, so is Uskudar and Taksim. But 3 days is so short.

 

[semrich]

It would be helpful if I knew the dates you will be in Istanbul, and how much free time you will have aside from the company organized events. If the dates and times fit my schedule I may get to meet you for one of your days.

Suggestions I can offer to start are to go the tourist areas and begin wandering the side streets and alleys, I do it and I am a foreigner, never any problems, and I've been doing it for years.

As to NY_Dan's suggestion about the tripod and the Cistern, unless it has changed since the last of my many visits there, tripods are not allowed, not even very small table top tripods, if it has three legs it's a tripod, security has always been on me in a flash, you might use a bean bag thingy with the camera on the floor, my best shot there. in the very low light, was with a Hasselblad SWC, it's square base rests nicely on the floor.

 

[dct]

It would be helpful if I knew the dates you will be in Istanbul, and how much free time you will have aside from the company organized events. If the dates and times fit my schedule I may get to meet you for one of your days.[...]

Very kind suggestion, Richard. Thank you.
Will send you a PM as soon as I got the detailed schedule from the company.
Valentino

@all: Thanks to all contributions so far. Will have a look at the Istanbul map one of these evenings and try to locate your advices.

 

[Rangefinder 35]

I spent few days in Istanbul in May last year. I stayed in one of the hostels in Sultanahmet District. I'd take walks toward Bosphorus, and along the shore taking pictures along the way. There are a lot of homeless cats and some dogs which are being taken care of by residents. You'll have to take portraits of people. I found Turks most willing to be photographed when asked for permission, even women in "burkas", when accompanied by a husband. Also, early morning light outside Aga Sophia and Blue Mosque...

 

[jbielikowski]

Tarlabaşı area (photographer's heaven), Adalar (nice ferry trip, a place to calm down), Kadıköy & Moda (fish and grocery market, restaurants, bar street, promenade by the Marmara sea), Bebek (restaurants), Istanbul Modern museum (and they have nice gift shop & restaurant), and dont forget to eat balık ekmek in Karaköy fish market. But my fav is just to take a tram to Edirnekapı and go all the way back to Eminönü walking random small street of Fatih.

+some photos.

 

[dct]

Now I have some more infos:
I will be there from 9th to 11th May and rest somewhere in Şişli.
The afternoon of Saturday 10th May will be private, without company organized activities. This will be my personal photography afternoon 😎

 

[kutitta]

I strongly recommend Balat, the old Greek neighbourhood on the shore of Golden Horn - perfect place for street photography and candid portraits. Also perfect for its architecture with many buildings from the past century. It also hosts the Greek Orthodox Patriarchy and Bulgarian Church that both offer excellent photographic opportunities.
Enjoy the trip and don't hesitate to contact me with private message if you have any questions. I would be happy to help.

 

[dct]

[...]As to NY_Dan's suggestion about the tripod and the Cistern, unless it has changed since the last of my many visits there, tripods are not allowed, not even very small table top tripods, if it has three legs it's a tripod, security has always been on me in a flash, you might use a bean bag thingy with the camera on the floor, my best shot there. in the very low light, was with a Hasselblad SWC, it's square base rests nicely on the floor.

Best low light I will have is the X100 ƒ2 with high ISO and a CV 50mm ƒ1.5 for pushed 1600 ISO film. Will this be enough for this environment?

 

[dct]

Thank you 'semrich'

Thank you 'semrich'

I was truly grateful for the personal tour Richard gave me this Saturday afternoon at Istanbul. His knowledge of the city, photographic advices and background information were worth a mint!

Add the oriental hospitality Richard is living realistically and interesting stories of his life during our tea & coffee rests: A serious man worth every minute we spent together.