Five Things to Photograph in Istanbul

When my husband and I first visited Istanbul as tourists several years ago, we got the requisite blurry shots of the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque over the heads and cameras of other visitors: they’re iconic segments of the cityscape, after all, and everyone wants a photo. Since we’ve moved to Istanbul, however, I’ve found that focusing on other, less traditional subjects are nearly always the shots that friends and family back home prefer. Other than the fact that a tour book or quick Google search both yield much better photos of Istanbul’s famous landmarks (taken by actual photographers, with much fancier equipment), I find those standard photos often fail to capture everyday life in the way I’d like it to. They won’t bring back some of the sights, sounds, and smells of our time here long after we’ve moved away. So, in the spirit of not missing the less appreciated charms of Istanbul, here are five of my favorite things to photograph in the city…

1. Istanbul’s windows and doors. You’ll find beautiful houses, both big and small, all over the city, but zero in on even more detail. If you do, you’ll notice geometric patterns and vibrant shades on doors and windows that make up the stunning overall effect: striking color combinations like brassy gold on forest green, bright flowers in chipped clay pots crowding iron window grates, and the weathered, peeling slats of pastel colored yalı. I find myself pulling out the camera most often in the winding back roads of Arnavutköy and Balat, but keep a diligent eye out everywhere; gems can be found in neighborhoods that don’t exactly radiate picturesque charm, like Taksim.

2. Istanbul’s cats. My husband has more in common with crazy cat ladies that one might think upon first meeting, but I’ve got to agree with him on this point. These four-legged inhabitants of Istanbul are some of its most interesting. Battle-scarred and mangy, these felines can be found all over the city. You’ll spot them prowling lightly over fences and waiting hopefully near the kitchen exits of Istanbul’s many seafood restaurants. Whatever the case, photographing them forces you to get low to the ground, a good way to notice some new detail of this city or see a familiar setting from a new perspective.

3. Istanbul’s street food. For those of us who’ve been here for more than a few months, food vendors might hardly warrant even a glance on the street. But take a second look at them, for these ubiquitous food carts present a photogenic tableau of city life: tri-wheeled red carts with striped shades and gold fringe, vendors’ hands deftly turning ears of bright yellow corn, burlap sacks filled near to bursting with chestnuts, the steam that puffs into the air on a chilly winter’s day.

4. Istanbul’s style. You’ll find an extraordinary range of colorful style in Istanbul that speaks wonderfully to the character and diversity of the city. Some of my favorite shots have included brightly patterned headscarves against a gray Bosphorus, extravagant mustaches on Istanbul’s gentlemen, and the towering heels you’ll see around Bebek on a Saturday evening. There’s also a wealth of subjects around the local markets and boutique shops; you’ll find vintage dresses hanging askew, piles of floppy hats, and bright shoes fanned out in a colorful display. If you pay enough attention you’ll also notice Istanbul apparently has the world’s creepiest collection of mannequins in the world.

5. Istanbul’s people. You don’t have to go anywhere special for this; take a look around at your own neighborhood during its off hours. I like to take my son out during the quiet hours of an early morning to walk along the winding roads of our neighborhood in Arnavutköy. We pass by the line of fishermen by the Bosphorus, each comfortably set up with with steaming glasses of tea next to their tackleboxes. We see backgammon players with several spectators jostling for a good view over their shoulders, our greengrocer methodically arranging his wooden crates of oranges just so, and the local waiters loitering around the back doors of their seafood restaurants: chatting, laughing, smoking, staring glumly into the morning sky.

Readers, what are some of your favorite things to photograph around the city? I’d love to hear your suggestions.

Diane Zhang is a contributor to Yabangee and also blogs at thedailydilk.blogspot.com