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[IMGS] Istanbul : Fishing the Golden Horn at Dawn

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RoelHendrickx

RoelHendrickx

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Last week Wednesday-Saturday, I visited Istanbul (Turkey) with my wife and another couple. We had a great time in a wonderfully cosmopolitic city. I'll surely post more images later.

On these city trips, I like to get out of bed early at least one morning to do some photography withouth having to pay attention to the others of the group.

On the first morning, I saw the Sultanahmet Square and surroundings buildings shortly after dawn.

Later that day, we took a ferry across the Bosporus to the Asian side of the metropolis, and I noticed a lot of anglers on the Galata Bridge, near the ferry quais. I planned to go back there another morning, to check out if there was already activity early in the morning.

And oh boy, there was indeed plenty activity, as early as 6.30 AM !



(this is a bit later, when the sun was already over the horizon.)

It allowed me to shoot a documentary series of 60 pictures (60 selected from around 120-150).

All shot with the E-3 on which I switched between the PL2 and the ZD50-200 (with a little ZD7-14) .

I've made a dedicated gallery on Zenfolio, with just a bit or narrative included.
http://roelh.zenfolio.com/p492014721

If you use the slideshow option with a nice black background and quite a fast pace, you should see the story unfold : I have tried to space the images to create a pleasant rhythm and flow :
http://roelh.zenfolio.com/p492014721/slideshow#h2b944511

Here is one more (and I will post a small selection in the first reply, but by all means, please check out the gallery or slideshow. C&C is always much appreciated.



--
Roel Hendrickx

lots of images : http://www.roelh.zenfolio.com

my E-3 user field report from Tunisian Sahara: http://www.biofos.com/ukpsg/roel.html
 
Roughly in chronological order.

First shot was made at 6.34 AM (my camera says 5.34, but was left at Antwerp time). Last shot of the series was made at 7.22 AM. It was quite intense.

First shot of the day, after having taken an early tram from the Hotel:



Warming hands and defrosting shrimp for bait:



One of the early birds:



Bait:



Street Portrait:



The anglers attract pastry and tea vendors :



Some early birds decide to take a nap:



And then the sun rises over the horizon, across the Bosporus:



A view from the other side of the Bridge (looking west) :



Contre jour from the western side of the Bridge, looking east over the tram tracks:



Thanks for looking.
C&C always welcome.

You can watch the whole gallery here :
http://roelh.zenfolio.com/p492014721

Or take the slideshow for a convenient way to see it all at its pace:
http://roelh.zenfolio.com/p492014721/slideshow#h2b944511

All images with E-3, PL25mm, ZD50-200mm and a bit of ZD7-14mm.

--
Roel Hendrickx

lots of images : http://www.roelh.zenfolio.com

my E-3 user field report from Tunisian Sahara: http://www.biofos.com/ukpsg/roel.html
 
Loved the slideshow, Roel. The standout shots for me included the guys warming their hands at the fire, the shrimp on the newspaper, the guy selling what looks somewhat like bagels, and the shot of the poles underneath with the big building in back. I want to be there.

--
John Krumm
Juneau, AK
 
Hi Roel,

some really nice images there! I especially liked some of the landscapes with the great mosque, and a couple with the fishing gear in the foreground. Strangely enough, I don't think the b&w versions work in this series.

One thing I noticed was the absence of any catch: did anybody actually get any fish?? Oh, and what did they think of your hanging around and taking pictures for so long?

Cheers
Christa
--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ch_cnb/
 
jkrumm said:
Loved the slideshow, Roel. The standout shots for me included the guys warming their hands at the fire, the shrimp on the newspaper, the guy selling what looks somewhat like bagels, and the shot of the poles underneath with the big building in back. I want to be there.
Click to expand...
Thanks for looking John.

If I have made you want to go there, then I have succeeded in my intention.

I always love sharing a small part of my travelling experiences through photography.

The standard postcard shots of landmarks are often very nice, but I personally think a small documentary series, concentrating for a while on a single subject and showing it from various angles, can tell so much more about the character of the place.

I have tried to create that kind of feeling with the Tuareg series in Libya, and now again with this here.

--
Roel Hendrickx

lots of images : http://www.roelh.zenfolio.com

my E-3 user field report from Tunisian Sahara: http://www.biofos.com/ukpsg/roel.html
 
Roel, I really enjoyed the series a lot! I would have personally preferred some wider shots with the fishermen, but that's just a matter of taste. Overall, these are beautiful and tell a great story of your travel. Thanks so much for sharing!
--
Raj Sarma
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rssarma
--
Follow me on Twitter: rssarma

Olympus enthusiasts from NYC Metro, join UKPSG:
http://snipurl.com/crc3n
 
cnb said:
Hi Roel,

some really nice images there! I especially liked some of the landscapes with the great mosque, and a couple with the fishing gear in the foreground.
Click to expand...
Thanks. There will be more classic sights and cityscapes in another gallery I will post later.
cnb said:
Strangely enough, I don't think the b&w versions work in this series.
Click to expand...
You know what? My wife doesn't like them either.
I tried conversions on a number, and not many came out well.
I think these scenes need the colour to make out the shapes.
But I did include a few that I thought were OK.

And I do that, because in the slideshow operation, I like the effect of slowly desaturating the image to B&W. You have to check the "transitions" box to see that, but I kinda like the effect.
cnb said:
One thing I noticed was the absence of any catch: did anybody actually get any fish??
Click to expand...
Yes, they did catch fish and I shot a couple of pictures of them reeling in a line with three/four fishes attached. But they act really quick when securing the catch, and the pictures did not come out right. I could have used flash to freeze the action, but did not want to. This is all relatively low natural light stuff. There are a few fishes visible in the whole series.
cnb said:
Oh, and what did they think of your hanging around and taking pictures for so long?
Click to expand...
They did not seem to mind at all. But you know I am such a charming guy...(LOL)

No really : I approach the people with a smile, keep an open mind and try not to disturb in their action. I show genuine interest and take my time (and where possible, I chat a little, but that is hard in turkish...). Anyway, I don't know exactly why, but people don't often seem to take objection to me photographing them.

Thanks, as always, for your interest and comments.

--
Roel Hendrickx

lots of images : http://www.roelh.zenfolio.com

my E-3 user field report from Tunisian Sahara: http://www.biofos.com/ukpsg/roel.html
 
RoelHendrickx said:
jkrumm said:
Loved the slideshow, Roel. The standout shots for me included the guys warming their hands at the fire, the shrimp on the newspaper, the guy selling what looks somewhat like bagels, and the shot of the poles underneath with the big building in back. I want to be there.
Click to expand...
Thanks for looking John.

If I have made you want to go there, then I have succeeded in my intention.

I always love sharing a small part of my travelling experiences through photography.

The standard postcard shots of landmarks are often very nice, but I personally think a small documentary series, concentrating for a while on a single subject and showing it from various angles, can tell so much more about the character of the place.

I have tried to create that kind of feeling with the Tuareg series in Libya, and now again with this here.
Click to expand...
I think you've been pretty successful in what you were aiming for!

Looking at your photos is almost like being back there. I passed this spot a few times when i was in Istanbul - for the first few days I couldn't work out why they weren't catching anything and why everyone only had bait fish!

--
Veo el mundo: I see the world
http://www.veoelmundo.com
I'm funding my travels around the world with income from microstock photography.

See my website for travel tips, information about Olympus camera gear, microstock and lots of photos!
 
rssarma said:
Roel, I really enjoyed the series a lot! I would have personally preferred some wider shots with the fishermen, but that's just a matter of taste. Overall, these are beautiful and tell a great story of your travel. Thanks so much for sharing!
Click to expand...
OK, here are some wider shots for you (I'd included only portrait orientations before, because they show up without expanding...) :









--
Roel Hendrickx

lots of images : http://www.roelh.zenfolio.com

my E-3 user field report from Tunisian Sahara: http://www.biofos.com/ukpsg/roel.html
 
Holgs said:
I think you've been pretty successful in what you were aiming for!

Looking at your photos is almost like being back there. I passed this spot a few times when i was in Istanbul - for the first few days I couldn't work out why they weren't catching anything and why everyone only had bait fish!
Click to expand...
Reading your comments, I felt that you have basically the same philosophy as myself about travel, i.e. really seeing different cultures and the people that live it, as opposed to watching the world from an "olympian" point of view, detached, as someone watching the ant farm.

It made me go back to your blog once more, and for the first time I looked at your "about" pages.

Hey, I'm a lawyer too, and although a bit older, I don't feel that much older.

I think I am 10 years (and quite a bit of countries) behind you, but watch your back, because I am coming.

Having gone through the everyday things of life such as organizing a business and a family, I have now come at the point where I have decided I want to see the world over the next years (not when I am too old for it), and I am fortunate that my wife shares that feeling. Luckily, we have our business organized in such a way that we are really independent (no dominant clients that we cannot live without) and on the other hand, have nobody that relies on us for their livelihood. That gives enormous freedom.

Tim Davis (Timski) has as his signature motto "I've not been everywhere, but it is on my list". I like that phrase.

I'll be keeping an eye on your progress around the globe.

Thanks for looking and commenting.
--
Roel Hendrickx

lots of images : http://www.roelh.zenfolio.com

my E-3 user field report from Tunisian Sahara: http://www.biofos.com/ukpsg/roel.html
 
Hi Roel,

like the series very much, thanks for showing it.

I'd like to ask a couple about your approach if that's ok.

Seeing the amount of shots you took I imagine you were there for quite some time? Did they get used to you being there taking photos?, or weren't they too fussed that you were there clicking away? Did you ask permission to take photos of them fishing? The reason I ask is that I always find a challenge to take these public type photos and want to know how to do it better without myself or others feeling uncomfortable. I'll be back to India or northern Asia again next year and would like to get more people/potrait shots.

Also it looks like you may have used a touch of PP here and there?? Did you shoot raw and what sort of PP was done if you're happy to share that.

I like your photographic style Roel.

regards
Paul
 
Roel

The early morning creates a great atmosphere in terms of light and action. You have captured it really well.

I particularly like the first and last portrait shots. The portrait shots generally isolate the action but quite surprisingly also the atmosphere in the landscapes.

On my last trip to Indo China, most of my shots were restricted to the heat of the day and didnt have that magic atmosphere. I will have to make better arrangements with my wife. I actually had the ability to set my own times but got caught up in other things.

You did a lot in that one early hour! It shows the rest of us what is possible.

Cheers
--
Purpleray
 
Palden said:
Hi Roel,

like the series very much, thanks for showing it.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the appreciationt.
Palden said:
I'd like to ask a couple about your approach if that's ok.
Click to expand...
Sure.
Palden said:
Seeing the amount of shots you took I imagine you were there for quite some time?
Click to expand...
I was there for little under one hour.
Palden said:
Did they get used to you being there taking photos?, or weren't they too fussed that you were there clicking away? Did you ask permission to take photos of them fishing?
Click to expand...
I did not ask for explicit permission, but I got close enough for them to notice me, so permission was asked and received implicitly. There were of course a few that did not like it, and then I did not shoot them. I just hang around and act normal, not sneakily sniping shots, but dong what I do openly, like they are also acting normal.

The key, I think, is showing interest in their activities almost like you had no camera but a fishing rod in your hands. The camera comes second. Never treat the other person as a nameless photographic subject, but as a human being you are interested in. And that interest should be genuine or it won't work. The camera comes next and taking a picture as a souvenir will feel natural to both parties.
Palden said:
The reason I ask is that I always find a challenge to take these public type photos and want to know how to do it better without myself or others feeling uncomfortable. I'll be back to India or northern Asia again next year and would like to get more people/potrait shots.
Click to expand...
Don't start your approach when you have landed in India. Go out in your own city (market place, shopping mall) and do it first there. Get used to the attitude.
Palden said:
Also it looks like you may have used a touch of PP here and there?? Did you shoot raw and what sort of PP was done if you're happy to share that.
Click to expand...
I use Lightroom 2 and I just fiddle with a couple of sliders until it looks good. The sliders are always the same : black levels, contrast, clarity, vibrance, sometimes exposure correction or brightness and the occasional use of the graduation tool.
Palden said:
I like your photographic style Roel.
Click to expand...
Thanks. Much appreciated.

I think I need to come to terms with the fact that flowers and insects, empty landscapes and posed portraits will never be my focus point. It is people in their normal environment that make me tick. So I try to make the best of that.
Palden said:
regards
Paul
Click to expand...
--
Roel Hendrickx

lots of images : http://www.roelh.zenfolio.com

my E-3 user field report from Tunisian Sahara: http://www.biofos.com/ukpsg/roel.html
 
twonker said:
Very enjoyable series indeed, though you might want to edit down somewhat.
Click to expand...
Aahh, you're touching my sore spot there : I absolutely suck at killing off my darlings. Some people seem to hard on themselves in what they consider keepers (like Jonas B, who says to consider himself lucky with a few keepers every year). Others, like me, seem to be too easily pleased and have a hard time chucking out the would-be keepers...

Anyway, I always have the good intention to revisit a gallery after a few days or weeks or even months and then do some serious pruning, but I hardly ever seem to get around to actually deleting.
twonker said:
Really good to see another side to a famous city.
Click to expand...
That was the point.

--
Roel Hendrickx

lots of images : http://www.roelh.zenfolio.com

my E-3 user field report from Tunisian Sahara: http://www.biofos.com/ukpsg/roel.html
 
Hi Roel, nice set! I will go there in the near future. Nice to see your view of the city.

I see a lot of fishermen, but no fisheye shots...? Left your new toy at home?
--
Regards,
Gravi

Olympus E30 & E620 and a bag full of lenses and stuff
 
Thanks for sharing Roel,

as always I would be to shy to take images of people doing what they are doing.

Another question that crosses my mind seeing people fishing in those waters how safe it is to eat those fish. Considering all the waste water entering from the city and the boats.

In Patras harbor the biggest fish (and the most numerous schools) are just a the mouth of the sewage pipe spilling a 1m stream of smelly brown water. And of course people are angling directly there ...

Cheers

Claudius
--
Member of the LAGIMESCE

(local action group for introduction of mandatory environmental sealing in consumer
electronics)
 
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