Photographer's Note
These stairs are in Istanbul, very close to the docks for Cruise Ships. They attest to the steep topography of the city, leading in cascades to the area known as "Beyoglu" ("son of the gentleman"). I had been serving as a guest lecturer onboard the cruise ship, Crystal Symphony, when it docked overnight in Istanbul at Karaköy. The pier is located right in front of the customs offices, on the Western side of the Bosporus, in the Beyoglu District of the city. For the record, this was the same pier that I was standing on three decades earlier, when I took one of my favorite photos ever, The Old Freighters, evocative of a 150-year old Monet painting that gave us the name of the art movement known as "Impressionism."
The two women ascending the stairs are crucial to the composition, especially the woman with the red dress who adds a veritable chop mark in the manner of a Chinese scroll painting. I will place the photo in the group theme, Memorable Staircases. Take a look at the photos in the group theme and feel welcome to contribute.
The date of the photo, July 30, 2006, coincides with the birthday of Jaap Polak (carper). He was one of TE's best photographers. Sadly, this modern "Dutch Master" left the site many years ago, but many of us still remember him.
jhm, ikeharel, pajaran, macjake, GFSSD-1, PiotrF, PaulVDV, Fis2, alvaraalto, COSTANTINO marcou esta nota como útil
Critiques | Translate
holmertz
(102708) 2017-05-22 9:13
Hello Bülent,
I think these steps run parallel to an equally steep street, without steps, that I have walked many times. The topography is no doubt one of many reasons for Istanbul's great charm, even though some areas can be tough for those who are no longer very young. In this photo the two ladies of course play major roles but the black railings also make a fine and slightly uneven pattern along the staircase.
Kind regards,
Gert
lousat
(139286) 2017-05-22 15:18
Hi Bulent,it needs to read the note to understand well and i like what you wrote,till to the dedication at the end to Carper that left us too....young..ehehehe....great capture of the long staircase,imposing perspective and the usual excellent sharpness despite the difficult light,well done! Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano
macjake
(98456) 2017-05-22 15:48
Hi Bulent
i don't remember these steps in Istanbul! Darn, i missed them when I was here. and you're right, it really does make for an excellent photographic subject.
the 2 women are vital to the scene, and i especially like how they're together side by side so closely, as if they're stuck together.
Also, the black hand rails rise up the slope in a zig zag pattern, how cool is that! splendid shot
cheers
Craig
ikeharel
(113353) 2017-05-23 1:38
Hello Bulent,
Long and high set of stairs, one can choose to count while climbing, or when descending... anyway, not an easy task. A town built on such topography, has not many choice, unless rich as in Hong-Kong, where mounted an escalators in Victoria.
Nice clear sight up the steep hill.
Regards,
Ike
GFSSD-1
(5888) 2017-05-23 9:30
Güzel bir belge fotograf olmuş, her basamakta o yaşta bir insan hayal ettim; son bir iki blok boş kaldı.
Her şey gönlünüzce olsun,
iyi akşamlar
PiotrF
(54698) 2017-05-23 14:40
Hello Bülent,
Good view of the stairs near the harbor.
Interesting note. Good picture,fine presentation.
Regards
Piotr
PaulVDV
(62920) 2017-05-23 22:16
Hello Bülent,
That's indeed quite a climb for both ladies.
At the top, two men are resting before starting the descent :)
I've been in Istanbul many years ago but I cannot remember to have seen these stairs.
I wonder what the buildings at both sides are. There's nowhere an entrance to be found. Are these just the side walls of buildings whose entrance is in the street at the top or bottom?
I do see a nameplate right below the two flags. Perhaps there's an entrance of a building.
Best regards, Paul
Fis2
(170779) 2017-05-24 0:42
Witaj Bulent!
Curious view, stairs make impression.
Good POV and composition.
I like colours and sharpness.
Well done.
Warm regards.
Krzysztof
Tue
(92370) 2017-05-24 0:53
Hello Bulent,
A great view of these steep stairs. The two ladies are very well included indeed and so is the couple at the top of the stairs, who might be having a rest there after completing the long climb up the many steps.
Lars
Nicou
(193806) 2017-05-24 2:16
Hello
De très long escalier quelle rampe avec les barrière au milieu les personnages assi les dame qui montent sueprbe compo.
Bravo t amitié
Nicou
Silvio1953
(221627) 2017-05-24 7:03
Ciao Bulent, lovely composition with double couple on fantastico staircase, excellent perspective, wonderful colors and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio
alvaraalto
(42804) 2017-05-26 3:16
Hello Bulent
I become tired when I look at this excellent picture. Only the idea that you have to climb and descent these impressive stair each day a few times….
The portrait format almost fully filled with the stair illustrate this excellent.
Well done
Have a nice day, Groet Rob
jhm
(211736) 2017-05-27 6:51
Dear Bulent,
The two ladies have a perfect gymnastics, so much staircases.
Sharpness and clarity well done.
An excellent composition also pleasant presentation.
Very well done, TFS.
Have a nice weekend,
John
COSTANTINO
(116518) 2017-06-04 13:15
Hello dear Bulent and have a nice time
this photo brings memories to me from
my last visit to Istanbul
yew you are right that these stairs
are in Istanbul very close to the
docks for Cruise Ships
welldone
regards
Costantino
walterantonio
(3589) 2017-07-14 19:30
Hello Bulent,
Thank you for your comments on my photos of the Iguazu Falls. As you yourself said "There are no" bad "vantage points to shoot the Iguacu Falls". It's good to know that you've been visiting in person.
I also find the place incredible, I have visited several times, because it is very close to my city, about 800 kilometers of highways.
Your photo of this grand staircase is very good. While showing the ambiance and the large size of the staircase, it also shows much of the city's everyday life.
This city is certainly a place that I would also like to meet.
Big hug from Brazil.
jmdias
(115186) 2017-07-29 1:26
bulent
these stairs are impressive. I liked a lot of the compo using the graphic aspect pf the lines and these personages. the area would deserve a renovation. nice compo.
hugs
jorge
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Bulent Atalay (batalay)
(41261)
- Genre: Lugares
- Medium: Cor
- Date Taken: 2006-07-30
- Categories: Natureza, Acontecimentos, Momento Decisivo
- Camera: Nikon D200, 18-70mm DX Zoom Nikkor
- Versão da Foto: Versão Original
- Tema(s): Memorable Staircases [view contributor(s)]
- Date Submitted: 2017-05-22 8:43
Discussions
- To holmertz: Parallel street (1)
by batalay, last updated 2017-05-22 10:36 - To PaulVDV: Ascending to Beyoglu (2)
by batalay, last updated 2017-05-25 12:29