Istanbul Street Photography

In 2009, I bought a photobook that completely changed the way I approached photography - Alex Webb’s Istanbul. Until then, my reference point for documentary travel photography were the classic, clean images by Steve McCurry, so on my first viewing, I didn’t really get many of the photographs. But then everything clicked, and his complex, chaotic compositions and masterful use of light and shadow became a huge inspiration. More than that, I wanted to visit Istanbul more than anything.

I finally made the trip in 2014 with The 8 Street, a collective of fellow wedding photographers who were also passionate about street photography. It was a fantastic trip with great friends, sparking a few more adventures over the following years. But I’ve longed to return, to see how I would approach the city with a more seasoned eye. So when my good friend and fellow photographer Guille Ibanez (whom I traveled to Ethiopia and India with, alongside Jure Matičič) mentioned he’d never been and was putting a trip together, I jumped at the chance.

So why do I do these trips? A big part of it is the freedom and creative release. For an entire week, all I had to think about was taking pictures, finding somewhere to eat, and grabbing a beer at the end of a long day. Some people go on skiing trips; others prefer hiking or cycling holidays. For me, it’s about heading somewhere with my camera, alongside good friends, and inspiring one another with our different approaches and imagery.

Street Photography + Gear

Istanbul is probably the best European city for street photography, and I could give you countless reasons why. Firstly, the people are incredibly welcoming of photography - at least the ones I encountered. No one seemed to mind being photographed; they simply carried on as if I wasn’t there.

The city itself is vast, and despite covering a lot of ground, we barely scratched the surface. One of the most popular areas - where we saw the most street photographers - was Eminönü, near the New Mosque and Galata Bridge at sunset. The entire area is buzzing with activity, bathed in the most luscious golden light (though we only had two evenings of it!).

Then there are the ferries. I could easily create an entire series of images just from the ferry rides. It was tempting to spend a whole day hopping between them - though I learned the hard way to double-check destinations after ending up an hour away on a pretty uninspiring one…The ferries can be a mixed bag; some are ultra-modern and lack character, while the older ones offer far better photo opportunities. But one thing’s for sure - they can be a treasure trove of characters and atmosphere.

A final word on Istanbul itself, a city that sits at the crossroads of two worlds - literally and culturally. The Bosphorus divides the city between Europe and Asia, and you can feel that blend everywhere, from the skyline to the streets. This contrast is what makes Istanbul so compelling to photograph. It’s a city that never stands still, always shifting between its past and present, its Eastern traditions and Western influences. For a street photographer, that kind of energy is gold.

All images were shot on the Fuji X100F.