NZPhotographer Issue 18, April 2019

I prefer my photos tell a story and leave people imagining what is
going on behind the scene however, I still photograph beautiful
looking landscapes and whatever takes my attention but my goal
is to make a photo that tells a story.
YOU’VE RECENTLY RETURNED FROM A TRIP TO
TURKEY, HOW DID STREET PHOTOGRAPHY IN
TURKEY DIFFER FROM STREET PHOTOGRAPHY IN
NEW ZEALAND?
Taking photos in Turkey is much easier than New Zealand. You
can be way more productive because cities like Istanbul are
much more dynamic than here, there is a lot happening. In
Turkey, people don’t seem to care when their picture is taken.
I would say it’s like a heaven for photographers!
I find street photography is more comfortable for myself and
others around me when my camera is always ready in my
hand in a semi-pointing position. This way I don’t get so much
attention when I take the shot because I am already in position.
I have had situations where people didn’t want their photo taken
(you can tell from their body language) and in that case, I point
my camera somewhere else and don’t take the photo. Also
sometimes people tend to shield their faces when they don’t feel
comfortable. However, if I’m not sure, I always take the risk of
taking the photo when I think it’s worth it instead of regretting
not taking it later.
WHAT WAS YOUR OVERALL FAVOURITE PHOTO
FROM TURKEY?
I have two favourites – First the one with a boy selling
bottles of water on the street. I like the colours with
blue dominating and the frame with the body of
another water seller. I also like the photo of a random
guy having dinner on the street with his friends, but
his friend was too shy on this occasion and did not
want to be in the photo – probably the only time this
happened while we were there.
20 NZPhotographer