1. You spent the last few years working on an ongoing and long-term project called “East is East.” Can you please explain the project and the reasons behind focusing on Eastern Anatolia region in Turkey, which is a challenging location to photograph.
As an artist I have a strong bond with Eastern Turkey. I was born in Adana, but my whole family comes from Elazig, which is in the east of Turkey. Even though I have spent very little time in the East as a child, I have a real connection with the people there. The East contains powerful stories that speak to me; Stories that need to be heard or in my case seen. My project is about the Eastern people, their way of seeing the world, their hopes and everyday struggles. In this project I’m not only putting an effort to tell these stories but also pouring my soul in to through photography.
East is East
East is East
2. According to you, what makes a good photo stand out from an average one? What makes it special?
I think in order to make a good photograph stand out the artist needs to balance the technique and the story behind it and have unique signature style which will help to complete the photograph. I believe if you have a connection with your story this way you can give the viewer real feelings and the photograph will stay in your memory.
Mexico Oaxaca 2016
3. When comparing your early works with recent years, we see a sudden change in your style, what was the reason for this? How did this change happen?
London UK 2007
London UK 2005
London UK 2007
I felt a bit lost in my own art. Everything was too easy and it felt repetitive. I did not feel like myself anymore and I was in search for something more meaningful to me. I decided to participate in a few workshops with great photographers like Abbas, Jacob Au Sobol and Nikos Economopoulos. I must say after Nikos’ workshop, I found what I was looking for and he certainly changed my life and the way I look at images and the way I look for them as well. He helped me find my own path and myself again.
Kathmadu Nepal 2018
Kathmadu Nepal 2018
Kathmadu Nepal 2018
4. What kind of equipment do you carry with you?
Honestly I don’t carry much with me anymore. I like to keep it as minimal as possible. Just my trusty Leica M262 and a 35 mm Lens.
5. What are your thoughts on the state of contemporary photography? Do you see any new and interesting trends of emerging photographers worth paying attention to?
My honest opinion about contemporary photography is that it seems temporary. Call me old fashioned if you want but the concept behind those are always the same. I have been seeing so many photographs with the same styles and same frames. Characters that look the same, almost the same given messages and even with the same color pallets. It’s more like they have been taken to be consumed not to speak to viewers.
I hope the new generation of photographers will continue to photograph with their own unique way and stop following the same things that everybody has already seen.
If you want to see good photographers just check Zerophotos members and their works. This way you will feel happy and understand how not to be repetitive.
6. Tell us about the concept behind your photography workshops? What do you teach and what should participants expect to bring to and gain from your workshops?
Practice will help participants recognize situations and details that can make a great shot. It will also help them develop social skills and the ability to interact with strangers.
Photography is an attitude, it is an openness to being amazed by what you will discover every time you take a walk with your camera. With practice and some hard work, they will learn to notice the extraordinary and beautiful narratives that are occurring in front of them every day.
My next workshop will be held in early October 2019. Schedule and location will be announced in a few months.