My New Shooter Files Location
So in a couple of weeks I move off to my next Street Photography Location. My flight is booked from Portland, Oregon and I’m getting ready as we speak (or as I write and you read).
Since I will be taking you all along with me to each city I live and travel in for Street Photography, here’s a quick overview of where we’ll be for the next few months!
The Where, When, What and Why
Where?
Istanbul, Turkey
The city of two continents, the former capital of four empires, and the largest population in Europe.
When?
Arrival Date: May 26th
Time Frame: 3 months
Why?
Istanbul Has It All
People, Bazaars, Ocean, Food, Culture, History, Landmarks, Colors, Vibrance, Character, and much more. It’s like no other city in the world and with over 14 million people, there’s no shortage of Street Photography opportunities to help capture this.
Culture + History
With four past empires combining with the middle of where east meets west, Istanbul is a melting pot of history, culture and people. Neighborhoods with their own character, people with their own traditions, and streets and buildings with their own history.
Colors + Light
It’s no secret that I love color and Istanbul is one of the most colorful cities in the world. From the people to the architecture, there’s vibrant colors everywhere you look. Even the light there is famous for its golden color.
Personal Projects + Work
I will be doing some photography work for a few hostels in Istanbul, but most of what I’ll be doing is project related. In addition to my ongoing personal projects, I will be working on a couple of Istanbul specific projects while I’m here too.
To find out more, keep reading…
What?
City Goals
Istanbul Projects
Syrian Refugees
I will be working on a project involving the increasing number of Syrian refugees in Istanbul. I will be sure to use this blog to update you all on the project from start to finish so you can get an inside view into project/documentary photography like this.
To Be Determined…
I have a couple of ideas for a smaller, personal Istanbul project too, but I want to wait to get a real feeling for the place before I decide.
Ongoing Personal Projects:
In Living Color
This is a long-term Street Photography Project I’m currently working on that I plan spending a good 5+ years on before completion. The main theme is color, but I will be putting my own personal twist on it with what I capture and how I put it together.
Women are…
This is another long-term project I’m currently working on, but I don’t plan on taking as long with it as my color project. Still, it should be a solid 2+ year project and will involve women around the world, exploring the qualities they both share and that make them unique.
WanderLust
This is the shortest of my current long-term projects and should be a little over a year long at completion. This one is less Street Photography and more Documentary/Street Portraiture. It involves interesting characters from around the world that live a life of travel, with an emphasis on what makes them unique and why they choose this journey.
Countries Goals:
Macedonia, Greece
As of right now, Macedonia is at the top of the visit list while living in Istanbul. I also might be working on a small project there in Shutka, one of the largest Roma settlements in the world. Greece is high on the list too, but I’ll probably wait to go there after Istanbul since I want to spend a good amount of time there. I will be busy enough in Istanbul, but I’m always up for anything interesting and worthwhile. I’m sure I’ll have to make it outside of Istanbul to visit a few other cities in Turkey while I’m there too.
If any of you have any suggestions for cities and countries to visit while I’m in Istanbul, please tell me in the comments below!
Street Photography Goals:
And of course, I’ll be shooting plenty of general Street Photography in Istanbul too! My goal is to not go a day without Street Photography while I’m here (or anywhere).
Blog Goals:
This blog is just starting out so when I’m not out shooting the streets, I’ll probably be working on this. My goal is to really build Shooter Files to where I want it to be while I’m in Istanbul. I have so many plans for it so it won’t be easy, but I promise to give it my all.
In addition to all the blog’s regular content, I will provide plenty of content focused on Street Photography in Istanbul and my experiences here, as I’ll do for every city I live in. So stay tuned and follow along!
VISA Requirements:
Turkey: Maximum stay of 90 days within a 180 day period on regular passport*
Visa can be purchased at the port of entry or online beforehand with eVisa for $20
Helpful Resources:
Moving to Istanbul Expat Guide
A Photographer’s Guide to Istanbul
Flickr’s Istanbul Street Photography Pool
Inspiration: Alex Webb’s Istanbul
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9abMx6TEhAs#t=32
Have any of you ever been to Istanbul? Tell me what you thought about it in the comments below!
Comment Here!