ackers8888
Member
I'm curious to hear of anybodies experiences of making photos on the streets in istanbul? as well as any tips/ideas/suggestions for while i am there.
cheers!
cheers!
Roger Hicks
Veteran
No problems apart from very occasionally being pestered by carpet salesmen. I didn't particularly like the place but I was pleased with quite a lot of the pictures. Go inside Ayia Sofia, too.
Cheers,
R.
Cheers,
R.
starless
Well-known
Probably the most inspiring city in the world. The most photogenic, at least for me.
People are really friendly and hospitable.
I actually came back from Istanbul 3 weeks ago. Definitely going back this month and staying a little longer.
Best places for the street photography I am after:
The ferry piers at Eminonu and Karakoy.
The areas on both ends of Galata bridge.
Eminonu square.
The seaside promenade in Kumkapi
Beyazit Square and around
The western part of the bazaar (north of Beyazit), especially early in the day or later afternoon.
The ferry rides to the Asian side are recommended as well. One way token is only 1.75 TRL
Istiklal Avenue and the streets around it
The steep streets around Galata Tower
When in Istanbul I always avoid:
Sultanahmet and around: there are actually more tourists there than locals
The Grand/Covered Market (Capali Carsi): nothing that great there photographically and bad light
The obvious locations like the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, etc
People are really friendly and hospitable.
I actually came back from Istanbul 3 weeks ago. Definitely going back this month and staying a little longer.
Best places for the street photography I am after:
The ferry piers at Eminonu and Karakoy.
The areas on both ends of Galata bridge.
Eminonu square.
The seaside promenade in Kumkapi
Beyazit Square and around
The western part of the bazaar (north of Beyazit), especially early in the day or later afternoon.
The ferry rides to the Asian side are recommended as well. One way token is only 1.75 TRL
Istiklal Avenue and the streets around it
The steep streets around Galata Tower
When in Istanbul I always avoid:
Sultanahmet and around: there are actually more tourists there than locals
The Grand/Covered Market (Capali Carsi): nothing that great there photographically and bad light
The obvious locations like the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, etc
taylan
Street Dog
I am leaving in istanbul 
You will fell very confortable while you are photographing in most placeses in istanbul. you can get in touch with me for any help you need. Also Richard is leaving in istanbul which RFF nick is "Semrich". Moreover if you search in RFF you can find very valueable informations about istanbul in older posts.
You will fell very confortable while you are photographing in most placeses in istanbul. you can get in touch with me for any help you need. Also Richard is leaving in istanbul which RFF nick is "Semrich". Moreover if you search in RFF you can find very valueable informations about istanbul in older posts.
ackers8888
Member
thank you so much! i will do my research regarding your lists...
and taylan...that's great, thanks
and taylan...that's great, thanks
JHenry
Established
I just recently got back from a trip that had 5 days in Istanbul, with my primary purpose being there just to walk and take lots of photos.
Absolutely loved Istanbul, and wish I'd had more time. The people were extremely nice, didn't mind having their picture taken, and the street photography was wonderful.
I understand starless' comments above on areas to avoid, but I'd actually recommending going to those areas. In fact, if it's your first time to Istanbul you really must hit those sights. The Blue Mosque, Aya Sophia, the Palace, the New Mosque, Sultanahmet, etc are all great. That said, try to get to them when they first open or shortly before they are going to close to tourists--you'll have less tourists to deal with. I went to the Blue Mosque just after I arrived in Istanbul, on a Sunday afternoon, and it was packed with probably close to 1,000 tourists. But, when back the next morning for sunrise, and then was the third person through the door after they opened (8:30ish), and I basically had the mosque to myself for 20-30 minutes. Incredible!
Other things to see:
- Chora Church. Incredible tile mosaics. Again, get there when it opens and you'll have it to yourself for 20-30 minutes before tour groups start to arrive. Not open every day, so check.
- Second the tip for ferry from Europe to Asia. I took the ferry from the Eminonu to Kadikoy several times, and enjoyed the scenes.
- There is a mosque on the Europe side of the bridge that goes from Europe to Asia; you can get the mosque, the bridge, watch, some crashing waves...very nice.
- Explore as many of the streets in the area radiating out from the Grand Bazaar.
- Taksim Square area, especially at night. There is a huge outdoor shopping center/street, where lots of people go. Make sure to get off that main street, as their are lots of restaurants and bars on the side streets, with good photo opportunities.
Also, be aware that you won't be able to use your trip in most churches or mosques. In fact, quite a few places, when the xray'ed my bag upon entering, actually made me check my tripod and/or GorillaPod. That said, I got very good at laying my cameras on their back and pointing them up at the ceilings to get the shots I wanted.
Even though I just got back, I'm envious that you are about to go. Istanbul has a unique vibe, and is a true mix of East and West.
I will be posting some photos soon (still working on the digital files, and developing the film). There are a few posted on my blog, www.pixelsandgrain.co/blog as well as some more thoughts on my recent travels and Istanbul. Any more questions, shoot me a PM.
Enjoy your trip.
Jeff
Absolutely loved Istanbul, and wish I'd had more time. The people were extremely nice, didn't mind having their picture taken, and the street photography was wonderful.
I understand starless' comments above on areas to avoid, but I'd actually recommending going to those areas. In fact, if it's your first time to Istanbul you really must hit those sights. The Blue Mosque, Aya Sophia, the Palace, the New Mosque, Sultanahmet, etc are all great. That said, try to get to them when they first open or shortly before they are going to close to tourists--you'll have less tourists to deal with. I went to the Blue Mosque just after I arrived in Istanbul, on a Sunday afternoon, and it was packed with probably close to 1,000 tourists. But, when back the next morning for sunrise, and then was the third person through the door after they opened (8:30ish), and I basically had the mosque to myself for 20-30 minutes. Incredible!
Other things to see:
- Chora Church. Incredible tile mosaics. Again, get there when it opens and you'll have it to yourself for 20-30 minutes before tour groups start to arrive. Not open every day, so check.
- Second the tip for ferry from Europe to Asia. I took the ferry from the Eminonu to Kadikoy several times, and enjoyed the scenes.
- There is a mosque on the Europe side of the bridge that goes from Europe to Asia; you can get the mosque, the bridge, watch, some crashing waves...very nice.
- Explore as many of the streets in the area radiating out from the Grand Bazaar.
- Taksim Square area, especially at night. There is a huge outdoor shopping center/street, where lots of people go. Make sure to get off that main street, as their are lots of restaurants and bars on the side streets, with good photo opportunities.
Also, be aware that you won't be able to use your trip in most churches or mosques. In fact, quite a few places, when the xray'ed my bag upon entering, actually made me check my tripod and/or GorillaPod. That said, I got very good at laying my cameras on their back and pointing them up at the ceilings to get the shots I wanted.
Even though I just got back, I'm envious that you are about to go. Istanbul has a unique vibe, and is a true mix of East and West.
I will be posting some photos soon (still working on the digital files, and developing the film). There are a few posted on my blog, www.pixelsandgrain.co/blog as well as some more thoughts on my recent travels and Istanbul. Any more questions, shoot me a PM.
Enjoy your trip.
Jeff
morback
Martin N. Hinze
Hey,
we've been talking via flickr but I need I wanted to add something here. The great thing about opinions is that they conflict and confuse easily:
The grand bazaar / kapalı çarşı is a great place. In the morning i's rather empty and the light can be great. Light streams down from the few openings in the roof and creates some nice light rays. The best part of the çarşı though is outside. The back streets leading to Eminönü are great, full of history hidden by the tumult of more bazaars. You can walk down the hill all the way and connect with the "spice bazaar". Keep you eyes open for doorways that lead to covered courtyards. Some very interesting spots to be seen.
Not an activity to be done on Sunday because everything is closed.
I live on the asian side. The only thing I can recommend is another çarşi there right by the piers. In the morning you can see them unload the (dead) sheep (still whole at that point) and clean the fish racks and prepare the fish. It's tiny, gets clustered very fast, and they will shout your ear off.
You can time your trip to be on the water and see the sun settle over the old city. I never get tired of that...
The thing is, if you like touristy stuff, then it's easy to find. If you want to see something "authentic", go to the touristy spot, and then take left. Or right. Whichever way you go, you will very quickly end-up in a very different neighborhood.
It's all very safe. I've only been here for a year but I never had a problem anywhere. And as Richard demonstrated to me, the further away from tourist areas you go, the friendlier the people. No matter the shape of the neighborhood.
Bring us some good weather,
m.
we've been talking via flickr but I need I wanted to add something here. The great thing about opinions is that they conflict and confuse easily:
The grand bazaar / kapalı çarşı is a great place. In the morning i's rather empty and the light can be great. Light streams down from the few openings in the roof and creates some nice light rays. The best part of the çarşı though is outside. The back streets leading to Eminönü are great, full of history hidden by the tumult of more bazaars. You can walk down the hill all the way and connect with the "spice bazaar". Keep you eyes open for doorways that lead to covered courtyards. Some very interesting spots to be seen.
Not an activity to be done on Sunday because everything is closed.
I live on the asian side. The only thing I can recommend is another çarşi there right by the piers. In the morning you can see them unload the (dead) sheep (still whole at that point) and clean the fish racks and prepare the fish. It's tiny, gets clustered very fast, and they will shout your ear off.
You can time your trip to be on the water and see the sun settle over the old city. I never get tired of that...
The thing is, if you like touristy stuff, then it's easy to find. If you want to see something "authentic", go to the touristy spot, and then take left. Or right. Whichever way you go, you will very quickly end-up in a very different neighborhood.
It's all very safe. I've only been here for a year but I never had a problem anywhere. And as Richard demonstrated to me, the further away from tourist areas you go, the friendlier the people. No matter the shape of the neighborhood.
Bring us some good weather,
m.
rpilottx
Established
Great City
Great City
To echo what most of the replies on thread have said, Istanbul is a great city. My daughter and I just spent 10 days exploring the Old City and part of the new at the end of March.
The people and culture are perhaps the most gracious I have ever encountered. I would say don't miss some of the tourist sites, if for no other reason then people watching is great. We went all over and never once felt uneasy with the environment which I cannot say about some American cities. The food is great.
And after searching El Paso for 120 film, it was great to find any film made by Ilford, Kodak, or Fuji in any size available. My daughter and wife are planning a second visit.
The only downside is you will learn more about Turkish carpets then you may want to know. The touts will not take no for an answer and I was too polite just to walk away. But I broke the code by the third encounter. Just tell them you have already bought a carpet!
Great City
To echo what most of the replies on thread have said, Istanbul is a great city. My daughter and I just spent 10 days exploring the Old City and part of the new at the end of March.
The people and culture are perhaps the most gracious I have ever encountered. I would say don't miss some of the tourist sites, if for no other reason then people watching is great. We went all over and never once felt uneasy with the environment which I cannot say about some American cities. The food is great.
And after searching El Paso for 120 film, it was great to find any film made by Ilford, Kodak, or Fuji in any size available. My daughter and wife are planning a second visit.
The only downside is you will learn more about Turkish carpets then you may want to know. The touts will not take no for an answer and I was too polite just to walk away. But I broke the code by the third encounter. Just tell them you have already bought a carpet!
semrich
Well-known
Hi Claire,
I've enjoyed the company of taylan, morback, and rpilottx recently and over the years other RFF members who have visited. As mentioned taylan, morback and I all live here and we all enjoy the city for its photography rich sights and neighborhoods. I get around the vast sprawling city in its many diverse areas and have never felt unsafe at any hour, and even with my limited Turkish vocabulary experience friendly and gracious people in some of the least expected areas, especially with a camera.
Here is a link to the Istanbul gallery on my website:
http://www.rweatheredgallery.com/p922558755
PM me for when you will be here and if I'm not traveling perhaps getting together for a coffee.
I've enjoyed the company of taylan, morback, and rpilottx recently and over the years other RFF members who have visited. As mentioned taylan, morback and I all live here and we all enjoy the city for its photography rich sights and neighborhoods. I get around the vast sprawling city in its many diverse areas and have never felt unsafe at any hour, and even with my limited Turkish vocabulary experience friendly and gracious people in some of the least expected areas, especially with a camera.
Here is a link to the Istanbul gallery on my website:
http://www.rweatheredgallery.com/p922558755
PM me for when you will be here and if I'm not traveling perhaps getting together for a coffee.
bigeye
Well-known
borrel
Børre Ludvigsen
Istambul throbs! You too will enjoy it. Some samples of what awaits you: http://abdallah.hiof.no/2005-istambul/. Don't forget Eyup. And try to find an Ara Güler book while you're there!
- Børre
- Børre
borrel
Børre Ludvigsen
febreeze-showered
Member
I spent a month in Istanbul not too long ago and loved every second of it. Aside from NYC, Istanbul is by far my favorite place on the planet--and I like to think I've been around quite a bit too. As for street-photos, you shouldn't have a problem at all with street photos. I've been given evil stares in Berlin, cursed at in Eastern Europe, but I've never had any pissed off pedestrians in Istanbul.
Have fun and lets see some great pics when you're back. My biggest tip would probably be to stay in Beyoğlu/Taksim and avoid staying near Sultanahmet. Explore the side-streets of İstiklal (day and night), play backgammon with random turks while sipping hot tea, smoke shishas, and don't miss the mussels. Like any other place, don't just see it, live it. (I have a few of my Istanbul-pics in my stream if you wanna' take a peak also.)
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