Tell Me About Turkey

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rpilottx

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My daughter and I have changed our travel plans from Iceland in late March to Istambul and Turkey. I know it is a secular Muslim country but don't know much more. We will be there for 8 days (probably based in Istambul).

I will probably take an M with 15/35/90 lenses and perhaps a second body (either another M or small digital but leaning toward another M). I think Ektar will be the primary film.

So talk to me about Turkey and photographing there. Thanks.
 
Turkey?
Tastes great with cranberry sauce, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing and all the fixins !!

Seriously though, Semrich here on RFF, to the best of my knowledge, still lives there or at least has experience there so he'd be the best guy to talk with on this. I believe it's ok based on a friend of mine who was there this past October - she loved it !!

I'm sure it will be "ok" but there are clearly some things that may be "gotchas" if you're not careful.

Cheers,
Dave
 
I was born in Istanbul and it is my beloved favorite city although I lived there till I was 6. You will find a perfect mixture of history, culture and hospitality. 7 days will not be enough. You can find metropolitan and oriental parts of the city and blend of three religions although Turkiye (I prefer to call, as Turkey causes teasing by people like dcsang :) no offense...) is a muslim country.

I suggest Istiklal caddesi, a pedestrian road with a tram line on, Blue mosque and Ayasophia area as the most popular ones. Topkapi palace, boat trip on Bosporus, kapali carsi are recommended too. Well I can not finish the list of things!
 
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If you have a chance to make a trip out of Istanbul, go to Capadocia for a couple days. You'll see some small town Turkey as well as getting a chance to see all the sandstone hoodoos that were home to aesthetic generations going back thousands of years.

But Istanbul could keep you amazed for weeks. I still love this city more than any other - as a photographer. Your lens set will work well. Just go shoot photos. Wander the streets, watch the people hang out at the cafes and tea houses. It is Muslim. If you respect them, they will more than respect you back.

Have fun. :)
 
I had the chance to spend a couple days there in the mid-90's. The main thing I remember were the fantastic Roman ruins that I had the opportunity to visit (IIRC, 3 Roman cities in all). It seemed like a nice enough place, and given the chance I'd go back. I've been in several Muslim countries, and Turkey was probably the nicest.
 
Wonderful city and country, have visited them many, many times over the years. You have to visit Sultanahmet (Aya Sofia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi etc), maybe a bit touristy nowadays, but if you are there you have no choice I think. Always enjoyed taking the ferry crossing the Bosphorus. The Galata bridge with its fishermen is also something not to be missed. Do also take a ferry to the Asian side of Istanbul and just wander around. A long walk direction Bebek along the water is nice. Kariye Müzesi/Camii has beautiful frescoes. The Balat/Fatih/Kumkapi neigbourhoods are very photogenic, but also religious centers so sometimes people will make you clear they do not want their picture taken. Just respect that wish and you are fine.

Last time I stayed in www.tomtomsuites.com/ and really liked the rooms etc. For a first time you may want to stay in Sultanahmet area.

Don't forget to bring very comfortable walking shoes, it is an intoxicating city that will make you want to wander around and explore without rest.
 
Peter S said:
Wonderful city and country, have visited them many, many times over the years. You have to visit Sultanahmet (Aya Sofia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi etc), maybe a bit touristy nowadays, but if you are there you have no choice I think. Always enjoyed taking the ferry crossing the Bosphorus. The Galata bridge with its fishermen is also something not to be missed. Do also take a ferry to the Asian side of Istanbul and just wander around. A long walk direction Bebek along the water is nice. Kariye Müzesi/Camii has beautiful frescoes. The Balat/Fatih/Kumkapi neigbourhoods are very photogenic, but also religious centers so sometimes people will make you clear they do not want their picture taken. Just respect that wish and you are fine.

Last time I stayed in www.tomtomsuites.com/ and really liked the rooms etc. For a first time you may want to stay in Sultanahmet area.

Don't forget to bring very comfortable walking shoes, it is an intoxicating city that will make you want to wander around and explore without rest.
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+1

Eminonu is nice and oriental too but you just need to take care of your wallet.
 
As Dave mentioned in his post, I've been living for over eight years here and very obviously I'm a foreigner. I go all over this vast and sprawling city of over sixteen million people by public transit, ferries, trains, tram, subway, mini-buses, taxis and a lot of walking with a camera. I never feel unsafe and most people don't mind your taking their picture, some in fact will ask you to take it, talk to you with what ever English they know and often offer you tea. It makes for many rewarding experiences.

As you go around the city you will encounter city walls that date back to the 5th century BC, get just a little distance away from the obvious tourist areas and you encounter all kinds of shops tea gardens and vendors going about their daily business, all kinds of experiences and photo op's everywhere you turn.
 
Been there many many times.

One of the most beautiful countries, I have visited. Lovely and exceedingly friendly people. Show them respect and they shall make your trip one you shall never forget.

Better than Greece, in culture, in diversity, in hospitality.

Not for nothing is Istanbul known as the meeting of the East and West. Besides the tourist places, take the ferry and get down..anywhere..wander around. Drink tea, sheesha and talk with the people.

Visit the Princess Island, visit the Sinan's masterpiece architecture a few hours bus ride.

The place to take your camera!!

Enjoy.
 
Oh yes I forgot the Islands! Buyukada is the most touristic one but other small ones I find more interesting...

You should definitely take ferry and you can have tea on the ferry too!

Semrich, I wish I live in Istanbul too but it's got so crowded that I would not want anymore...Just for visits :)
 
Was in Turkey not long ago, but didn't have time to visit Istanbul.
It was a very interesting place and the people were indeed generally very friendly.

Untitled by Bobfrance, on Flickr

However you MUST go to Iceland sometime.
Maybe not so great is you only shoot street, but if you like landscape it's incredible.
Go there in July and tour around in almost 24 hour daylight.

Untitled by Bobfrance, on Flickr

Enjoy your travels. :)
 
Nico, some really nice shots of Turkey on your Blog, they really capture the essence of the people and place.
 
And I thought you wanted my advice on how to cook turkey for Thanksgiving. Deep fry injected with flovor, smoker, rotissery on Webber grill. All are fantastic in their own way.
 
Most of the people were very friendly and helpful, and I got some pictures I liked very much. Unfortunately everything was soured by the immigration official on the way in who stole £10 (UK -- several million Turkish lire) from my passport. I put it in the passport to pay for the visa; and he held the passport under the table, stole the £10, then demanded another £10. He then tried another scam on my wife, who was travelling on her American passport.

He was the only real fly in the ointment, but he was a big, fat, ill-shaven, sweaty fly in an ill-fitting uniform: a bad cartoon of a corrupt minor official. He was also the first Turk with whom I had had any dealings in the country. It took several days before the amiability and honesty of his compatriots began to reverse my inital bad impression.

Cheers,

R.
 
Istanbul! oh man! Walk, walk, walk, and walk! And take boat to Adalar. Forget those tourist attractions, just try to feel the city.
 
Carlos M said:
I would have thought better from a globe trotter like you. This is a worldwide custom.
Money placed in the passport when handed to a border official is a gift (bribe) for him to let you pass without let or hindrance.

It's the same when you pass your drivers licence with money in it, to the cop who just pulled you over.

It often works, but then again, you could be charged with attempted bribery.
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Dear Carlos,

Normally, yes. But he had a simple choice. Pocket the tenner and let me through, or use the tenner for its intended purpose, i.e. paying for the visa. Taking the money and then demanding more was not really on.

Cheers,

R.
 
It's a great place. I was there last month. 7 days was not enough. I can't wait to go back. If you want good food. Take the ferry to Kadakoy and go Ciya Sofrasi for some the best food. For sweets try Mustafa Kadiz.
I walked about everyday with a D700 and an M6. Never felt threatened. The people are the friendliest I have ever met.
 
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