*An interview series with a play on “20 questions,” where I try to mix it up with different questions. Some serious, some not so much. I’ll also be focusing the series on some of the best street photographers from the cities I visit around the world during my 100 Cities project.

The beginnings of my Major Cities project started almost 4 years ago while I lived in Istanbul, Turkey. This amazing city was not only the first city I included in my project, but 86 major cities later, it’s still at the top of my list of cities in the world for photography. While living there, I met and became friends with a local photographer by the name of Kerem Nasipoglu, one of the most passionate and involved street photographers in Istanbul, which is saying something. And being the first city on my project, I realized I never interviewed a local photographer from the city so I could think of no one better than Kerem to have for this city’s installment of 20 Questions.

While being very involved in the street photography community, Kerem’s street work blends with a strong interest in social documentary work. Documenting daily life as it happens and finding stories within it all is what interests him the most. Discovering these moments and differences from what surrounds him as he walks the streets of Istanbul daily really drives his passion and you can see it in his work. 

So now to learn more about him, it’s time for 20 Questions in Istanbul with Kerem Nasipoglu…

20 Questions with Kerem Nasipoglu

Before we get to the 20 questions, please introduce yourself. Your name, where you’re from and one interesting thing about you?

Past:

1. What is your earliest memory of photography?

I remember my father taking photos with a Zenit ET when I was 6 or 7 years old. Then I remember he ruined all the film inside because he didn’t know how to rewind the film back then.

2. What do you think drew you to your preferred subjects in photography?

When I was studying at the university I had this urge to document my life. Documenting where I am living, what kind of environment I have, then what the place around me looks like. Later, this urge evolved to documenting stories that took my interest.

3. What advice would you have given yourself when first starting in photography?

Check the work of famous documentary photographers and shoot daily. Two things that improve my photography most over years. And travel more.

Present:

4. How would you describe your photographic style and what you look to capture?

5. Describe how you approach photography when out shooting?

I usually walk with a camera in my hand and try to capture the things that take my attention. However, while walking, there are certain things that I keep in mind, such as stray animals and constructions sites, two  subjects that I’ve been working for some years. I like to take photos of stray animals interacting with their environment. None of the countries that I’ve visited have stray animals in the streets, but here in Turkey, we interact with cats and dogs in our daily lives. I think that subject is worth documenting. Apart from those, I don’t have a certain style, like shooting while walking or working on a scene. It’s more of an instinctive thing for me. If it feels right, I’ll shoot a scene for hours. If I feel like walking, I can walk hours without sticking to a scene.

6. Inspiration. Where do you personally find it and how important is it to you as a photographer?

Inspiration is quite important for my work. When i see an interesting shot from a photographer, I try to imitate it first. Then i think about how to improve that image. I study other photographers work to improve my photography. I never post those photos that I copy, but i try to create a collage of ideas. Designers and artists are also a source of inspiration for me. And my friends do inspire me!

Not So Serious Questions:

7. You get one superpower for photography, what would it be? (You can’t choose invisibility!)

8. You also get 3 photography related wishes, what are they?

2 Speed Rounds (Give the first answers that come to mind!)

This or That:

9. Instincts or Planned?

11. Take Photos for Yourself or Others?

Others

Name 3:

12. Inspirational Photographers (Past or Present)

• Joel Meyerowitz
• Nikos Economopoulos
• Martin Parr

13. Photography Books

• In the Balkans – Nikos Economopoulos
• The Last resort – Martin Parr
• Istanbul: City of Hundred Names – Alex Webb

Your City:

15a. Where do you like to photograph most in your city, Istanbul, and why? (You’ve said that Istanbul shaped your photography in a different way. How so?)

You:

16. On your website you say you have an “obsession of documenting reality.” What is it about both reality and documenting it that you have an obsession with?

Well, I still have an obsession of documenting, but i think I am not really interested in reality anymore. What is reality and how much of what we’re experiencing is real? Reality has lost its meaning for me, so I think I need to redefine my approach to the photography.

My obsession with documenting started when I was studying at the university. An article that a famous feminist wrote inspired me. In the article she was advising women to write diaries, so that you can be immortal. I like the idea of being immortal, but I decided to be immortal by using a different tool, a camera. I wanted to show people where and how I live my life. I still like the idea, being immortal.

17. For one year you successfully did the 365 picture a day challenge. How did you find that experience and what do you feel you got out of it?

It was a challenging experience, but definitely changed my style for good. First of all, after the project I got the habit to carry my camera with me all the time and shoot daily. I feel really uncomfortable when I don’t have my camera with me. Another thing is getting the most from an ordinary scene. I strongly recommend everyone who can’t find time to photograph to start their 365 project.

18. You run a popular blog in Turkish called Sokak Hikayeleri. Tell us a little bit about this project.

There is a lack of source about street and documentary photography in Turkey. Not everyone speaks English here so only a few photographers can follow what’s going on around the world about street and documentary photography. So, I decided to create this source called Sokak Hikayeleri (Street Narratives). I curate inspirational photographs, write about the techniques that I learned and use in the streets and so on.

Behind a photo:

19. Pick a photo of yours that you remember capturing and share any memories you have attached to it.

I was shooting the engagement ceremony of a friend of mine and this dog tried to enter the garden where the ceremony took place. This shot reminds me of having an open eye for unusual things. Even at an event where you have a duty to photograph a certain thing.

The Final Question:

20. You have only 3 photos left on your last roll of film.

• In the first direction, you see some children doing back flips at the park
• In the second direction, you see a line of fashion models walking through the market
• In the third direction, you see a few workers carrying large mirrors under their arms
• And in the last direction, you see a political rally gaining tension

The light is perfect at all 4 locations. What do you do? 

I am sure that all those options would provide nice images, but for my taste I’d go with the children doing backflips and spend all three shots there. I think I have a better chance to get a photo to my liking in that situation.

Another big thank you to Kerem for the interview, and for anyone who would like to see more of his work, check the links below!

www.keremnasipoglu.com

instagram: @cknvisual

blog: Sokak Hikayeleri

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