📸 Photo series #22: Istanbul, the dream destination for street photographers

Photo series by Cenk Erdoğan

It's been an incredible six months since we embarked on this creative journey with Storydrops. As we celebrate this milestone, let's take a moment to revisit our vision for those of you who have recently joined us.

Storydrops was born with a simple yet profound purpose: to inspire, connect, and inform. We set out to create a space where voices are heard, stories are shared, and human experiences are linked together.
Our purpose is to be your source of inspiration and connection in the world of street photography. We curate and create content that:

1. Inspires: Our newsletter is designed to ignite your creativity and passion for street photography. We showcase captivating photo series that reveal a part of the world that you may have not seen before.

2. Informs: Through short interviews with featured photographers, we provide insights into their work, experiences, and perspectives. It's a way to get to know the artists behind the lens and uncover the stories they tell through their photographs.

3. Connects: Street photography is a shared journey, and our community of like-minded individuals is here to celebrate and engage with the stories captured in the bustling streets. We're all about fostering a sense of belonging and collaboration.

In summary, our newsletter is your gateway to the captivating world of street photography, a place where you can draw inspiration from remarkable photo series, get to know the talented photographers, and be part of a community that shares your passion.

Thank you for being part of our growing community ❤️.

Join us in celebrating our half-year milestone as we invite on stage Cenk Erdoğan. His lens captures the heartbeat of Istanbul's streets in a way that transcends ordinary photography. His work is a visual journey, a passport to the soul of the city, and an invitation to travel without leaving your seat.

Make yourself comfortable with a good coffee and enjoy the photos! ☕️

DID U SEA ISTANBUL? by Cenk Erdoğan

⏱️ Reading time: 4 min

This is a series that continues to evolve, reflecting the life of Istanbul filled with sometimes unexpected and sometimes ordinary moments on the sea and its shores.

Istanbul is a big multicultural, astonishing old city that has embraced many civilizations for thousands of years. The coastline, piers and bridges are full of life in Istanbul, which connects two continents.

The sea is indispensable for city life, millions of people breathe the wind and smell the salt every day. Coasts, like the sea, are in a constant flow. There are many unnoticed moments in this flow.

Life in the coastline is like the waves of the sea, sometimes the crowds flow in the calm of the sea, and sometimes loneliness is shared among the crowds.

The shores, which thousands of people visit every day, always offer fun surprises to their visitors and residents. Like a carnival, it is always moving, lively, mystical and never predictable.

Did u sea?

Written and shot by Cenk Erdoğan.

Who’s behind the lens?

Describe yourself as a photographer and where you are based

As a graphic designer and creative director, I continue to provide communication and design services to many national and international brands for 25 years in Istanbul, Turkey. As a photography enthusiast and a shutterbug, I love capturing life moments and sharing visual stories. As Friedlander said:

“It fascinates me that there is a variety of feeling about what I do. I’m not a premeditative photographer. I see a picture and I make it. If I had a chance, I’d be out shooting all the time. You don’t have to go looking for pictures. The material is generous. You go out and the pictures are staring at you.” Lee Friedlander.
Documentary Photography – LIFE Library of Photography, Page: 178

Your favorite camera and lens

CANON R6 MARKII & RICOH GRIII.

Your favorite places to shoot

Istanbul is like a treasure trove and a jewel full of surprises for street photography. Being the only city that spans two continents, it captivates me, and the way people interact with the sea and the coast, the hustle and bustle of crowds, draws me to the shores of Istanbul.

According to you, what makes a good picture

You know photography is an art form, and what makes a photo "good" can vary from person to person. Ultimately, the most important thing is that the photo resonates with you and expresses your artistic vision. There are some common elements to be considered “good” is composition, light, emotion, technical…etc. But for me context & storytelling are paramount.

Your favorite photographers and where you get inspired.

My favorites are Alex Webb, Gary Winogrand, and Martin Parr because their photographs encompass humor, complexity, depth, and multiple stories all at once.

Portfolio and/or social media links

Portfolio: http://www.cenkerdogan.com

Instagram : @cenkerdogan

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