Istanbul - final edit of the 12 hour shoot.

I have finally created my final edit of 12 hours of street photography on Istanbul. This previous page (link) explains the parameters and ideology behind this project. The other page (link) is a reflection of the process.

I will include a caption under the photography just the time frame it was taken within, and the quantity of photographs it was selected from; I've also added  brief explanation of why they were included.

Ironically enough these may not the best of the day - as I am now starting to see possible sets, and saving greater images for different posts that will follow. Hopefully however this will reflect 12 hours on the streets of this amazing city.

08:53-08:57 edit from 6

09:11-09:59 edit from 17

10:01-10:56 edit from 45

11:04-11:52 edit from 79

12:02-12:56 edit from 50

13:50-13:57 edit from 5

14:00-14:59 edit from 56

15:01-15:58 edit from 41

16:00-16:58 edit from 43

17:00-17:56 edit from 31

18:06-18:56 edit of 3

19:11-19:51 edit of 66

1.  I made a mistake here as I was running late and had taken too long getting ready and enjoying a heavy breakfast. This resulted in only 6 images to choose from. It was either the man who I ate with later, a street cat or some men working on a building site. I made this inclusion as I felt it represented the food in abundance in tourist areas.

2. I love this mans disinterested look regardless of the women lingerie - this was shot from the hip

3. This will form part of a series about freight being moved around. These men were moving these boxes by hand up steep side streets.

4. Areas of Istanbul are defined by stores this was the tool and machinery zone.

5. Sales of private lottery tickets not just from small carts but a well arranged business.

6. Only 5 images - I think it was at this point I wanted food. I was trying to compose this graffiti, when this woman walked into shot. Moments later the car just out of shot to the right moved in. This was one of those poetic photographic moments where everything falls into place.

7. I had to include this as I found the visual pun difficult to resist, I mean I guess they have satellite right?

8. I took a long walk along the Bosporus sea, many people sit and eat small lunches. This day only a handful of people braved the cold wind.

9. Some what a reflective image. The way the statue looks over some refuge.

10.  This has been included as it would represent the amount of stray animals. The Dogs are tagged and checked for rabies. However they sleep anywhere without a care for human traffic.

11.  Only of Three as the man in frame insisted that he visited his shop. I then must have spend nearly an hour looking over carpets - experiencing the hard sell. I guess there was an exchange of sorts, his photograph taken for my time.

12. The light was failing I visited the 'Blue Mosque' you could photograph anything but people praying. The roof structure inside was amazing. I'll post image from this later, however for me this symbolized the end of my day. With a low angle I was able to highlight this couple, once again pure poetry for twelve hours work.

Istanbul - Police celebration

I've made a rough edit which I hope helps convey the message of the day. I didn't have any preconceptions of the procession. It was quite simply happening as we arrived. I'm going to add a caption to each of these, expressing why I included them in the presentation. Hopefully I can reflect upon this and gain a better skill at editing.

These Police/Cadets stood around in the square holding up the flag. Above a Helicopter transmitted live images: my reason for usage I felt it conveyed the interest and excitement

This helped express the colour and size of the banner/flag being carried

The start of the procession of the long banner through the main street. Police on board handed out Red and White Carnations to the public. Inclusion as it was part of the event.

A important feature again as use of a banner to describe the procession

Trying to convey the scale of the event

This was included as the main body of people walking were male, so I felt it necessary to include some of the women.

One of the side streets blocked off by Police - however in good nature. The one holding the flowers then passed on one of them to me. I wanted to include this as it showed the human element to the Police

This has been flipped so as to correct the flag: Included as part of the semiology

Water was offered free to passers by; the man third back in the Red cap captured my eye in during this.

Another higher angle to express the scale of the event

The release of 'ticker tape' which celebrated the completion of the procession

This was a golden moment as I turned this lady caught my eye. 

Pure concentration and desire to get the music right at the event

I thought this little boy was a great chance. It shows a real public spirit and how he is dressed in all the Police gear

Again another closer portrait of the boy. I think this like the older lady image adds a human, more real element to the event, and shows people enjoyed the proceedings 

This man is (name to add) was from my later understanding a former governor of Eastern Turkey. The area was very difficult and complex to manage. He is now the Governor of Istanbul. It was very difficult to take his photograph as I came across heavy security and other (Press) photographers. Ironically enough I saw him later walking with his security - but didn't approach him to take his photography - only now understanding his importance. Perhaps with a better local knowledge I would have come to this conclusion. 

Again this man is an actor who plays a Police chief on national television. I included this as the framing worked really well. I was also able to get very close to capture it. I look for this type of composition as it gives great flexibility for text to be overlaid in the out-of-focus areas.

Part of the display Police showed the various areas. I couldn't resist this photography... only if my own dog could be this obedient!

And the final image which acts as a punctuation mark to the essay.

Video from Jewellery shoot

Jewellery shoot - Ashley Hilton

After completing a different shoot here are the results. Again another stylist Ashley Hilton asked if I could photographer her concept. I was willing to help as I enjoyed the experience. This time it was for a 'futuristic  jewellery brand. The light effect was from a 'video projector' - issues that I had was the angle and avoiding shadows. Although it was always going to happen if they did - I would make a feature of it. I was really pleased with the results. In the end I had to raised the projector some ten feet off the floor and angle it down for the complete coverage. I'm thinking of using this effect again for something - what I'm not sure yet.

Originally I shot at 400 ISO but changed to 3200 to allow for a better shutter speed. Many of these were shot using a tripod but the lighter ones hand held. The tripod shots approx. 1/40 and the handheld 1/100

Mod shoot - Lois Saxton

The night before leaving for Istanbul a photo shoot  had been arranged for Lois Saxton. She is currently studying Styling at UCLan. The original brief was for location, although I was unable to assist due to work commitments. I had already a location in mind, although this perhaps will be used for something else.

A location shoot went ahead, although it was more of a ad-hock shoot taken by a University photographer. The results looked alright, however Lois's tutor asked that she had some studio shots taken. So I was back on board and my brief was set. I had for a guide the light and style of Zara website:

screen grab from Zara 

It was difficult at first as for my own feelings the lighting was amateur - in respect to uneven light on the faces, and shadows running up the background. Also composition was off centre and uncomfortable. However upon further research this is a current trend, something that is in high street advertising. The other aspect for consideration was that a feel of aging was required. I'd already been shown images from the other shoot, and I was asked if I could duplicate the colours. It wasn't too difficult as all that was needed was de-saturation. I've added several images below.

In retrospect and having more time I think I would have 'killed' the other background light, and shot just with one Soft box. It also wasn't weighted for a the size, so I had little direction. On the whole the Lois was pleased with the results and they fitted in with the other images - from a different photographer.