turkey in fall

I am always looking for the signs of the past in every trip I take, drawn to the subtle traces that history leaves behind. Perhaps it’s because I grew up surrounded by old photographs, captivating tales, and inspiring stories from explorers of long ago who traveled the world with wonder and curiosity. These early influences have deeply shaped my outlook and fueled my desire to uncover fragments of history wherever I go.

This particular trip brought me to places like the historic village of Kumalikizik, established during the Ottoman Empire era. The village has changed very little over time – people still live there, and it remains more than just a tourist attraction. The lifestyle is wonderfully simple there, and most of the time, I spent wandering along the narrow stone streets, observing daily life and quietly reflecting on the layers of history around me.

There were several stops on my Turkey journey – Istanbul, Bursa, Termal, and the Prince Islands – all conveniently located within a one-day trip distance from Istanbul. Turkey, at first glance, may seem chaotic and somewhat unorganized; certain streets overwhelm you with bustling crowds, busy markets, and numerous businesses. Cars honk constantly, and the narrow streets add to the lively, intense atmosphere. It's challenging to focus on just one thing amid the sensory overload, making it difficult to fully process the experience. However, once I received the film scans, I began to see the unique story behind each object, revealing the deeper essence of what I had initially observed on my journey.

I traveled with my parents, and my mom mentioned that it was particularly interesting for her to see these images. She was curious about the reasons behind why and how I chose these specific objects to photograph. At times, she seemed a bit lost, probably because there was so much to take in all at once, making it challenging to focus on or pinpoint certain details. It is a curious question for me as well — why and how we choose our subjects. This becomes especially intriguing when I find myself shooting in the same location every day: the same streets, similar lighting conditions, and the same buildings. Yet, despite this repetition, I consistently choose different elements to focus on and pay attention to. I believe that a photographer’s eye is like a spotlight, and it shifts and evolves as the person behind it changes from day to day.

This was my second journey along the same route, the first time being two years prior. I made an effort to revisit the same locations, hoping to recapture some of the photos I had taken before. Honestly, it felt like walking through a dream. My mind recalled the images vividly, but reality seemed a bit different this time around — or maybe it was me who had changed, choosing to see the world through a new perspective and notice different details.