Those were the days !, a photo from Aydin, Aegean

Photographer's Note

Winter time is cafe time. Specially in Anatolian countryside, where men has nothing to do untill next spring; where they will again start to work either on their fields or in the excavations of Aphrodisias (as it's in this case) or in any kind of contsruction works; they spent much of their time in cafe houses. Nipping their tea, smoking their cigarettes or playing different card games. One of the most popular and typical games of this "men's world" is backgammon.

Kış ayları, kahvehane aylarıdır Anadolunun pek çok yöresinde.
Erkekler bir dahaki ilkbahara kadar yapacak fazla birşeyleri olmadığından, vakitlerinin çoğunu, kahvehane köşelerinde geçirirler Anadoluda.
Kahveler, çaylar, ada çayları içilir. Sigaralar yakılır (yasağa rağmen hala içilen yerler var), OK, tavla, domino masaları kurulur.
Bu arada en çok konuşulan konu da "n'olacak bu memleketin hali" konusudur !

CLODO, Kofman, holmertz, elenimavrandoni, daddo, worldcitizen, ourania, Buin, tyro, kato, ikeharel has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

CLODO (24726) 2013-01-18 0:37

Hi Mesut

cool attitude of the 2 workers in the pub, smoking cigarettes and maybe chatting with other guys. They don't notice you taking them in picture, and so they are very natural.
Congratulations
CLODO

Ricx (13435) 2013-01-18 1:45

Hi Mesut, There is so much character in old peoples faces- does it show character? does it show a part of their history- but whatever it shows a great daily life.. one of community , friendships and Backgammon- what a great game

lousat (57674) 2013-01-18 2:13

Hi Mesut,a great gift for a barman like me,very nice daily life moment of this cafe',happen's the same in my country in winter,fortunately for the health of the bartender, we are non-smoking..ehehe...have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano

dkmurphys (36819) 2013-01-18 3:23

Hi Mesut,
Very picturesque figures, I like this scene a lot. Genuine everyday life document.
Have a nice weekend.

Daniel

jacquest (14152) 2013-01-18 4:52

Hello Mesut,

Good portrait of these two men and good title. The expressions are well caught and natural, with excellent colors and sharpness.

Best regards

Jacques

holmertz (26958) 2013-01-18 8:43

Hello Mesut,
Although this is not a real oldie, it's still a rarity from the days before smoking was prohibited in Turkish restaurants, cafés etc. The characters are timeless, and from what I can see of the room it has carefully kept the traditional gloom of the average Turkish provincial çayhane.
Kind regards,
Gert

elenimavrandoni (5789) 2013-01-18 12:14

Hello Mesut, a close up to reality, real faces in real places!I know exactly what you mean in your note!
This is a beautiful portrait with great deatil and face expression capture reflecting the daily struggle and the life's concerns of the country people!
Warm regards,
Eleni

Fis2 (73114) 2013-01-18 12:56

Witaj Mesut!
Interesting faces.
Good colors and light.
Curious duo portrait.
Well done.
Good night
Krzysztof

daddo (18517) 2013-01-18 14:45

Merhaba Mesut. Top shot of these men in their comfort zone, away from their wives, taking it easy.Many wise words and many foolish words have been uttered in places like this. I wonder how many "Nasreddin Hodjas" can be found in such places? Selamlar. Klaudio.
HARD TO BELIEVE_ WE WERE SENDING CRITIQUES TO EACH OTHER AT EXACTLY THE SAME MOMENT!

worldcitizen (4858) 2013-01-18 16:41

Hello Mesut,
Nice candid capture of these two men. I like the cigarette smoke that is hanging in the air, and the looks on their faces. They do seem resigned to sit and wait, and find a way to pass the time.

ACL1978 (5783) 2013-01-18 18:46

Perfect title to this one, Mesut - I can imagine the kind of reminiscing that might be going on here, because it's universal. These two have a weathered look to them that says they've got some stories as well. The haze of smoke is well captured and adds to the feel of the scene nicely. Thanks!

Andrew

jurek1951 (35765) 2013-01-18 20:57

Hi Mesut,
lovely doubler portrait,fine details, splendid light and wonderful natural colors, excvellent clarity, great expressions,
Georg

jjcordier (62344) 2013-01-18 22:26

Mesut
Voilà le genre de photos que je n'arrive pas à faire et pourtant elles racontent la vraie vie des gens. Un bel instantanée de la vie quotidienne et de ces moments de convivialité au café.
Amicalement
JJ

mavikolye (20) 2013-01-18 23:05

Selam Mesut,
Çoktandır uğramamıştım buralara, neler neler olmuş !
Bu kahvehane karesi muhteşem.
Tam da dediğin gibi ne olacak bu memleketin hali.
Tebrikler
Cem Kaya Karatün

ourania (12397) 2013-01-19 8:14

Hello dear Mesut,
a great composition from an effective close point of view that presents the two gentlemen and their typical attitude in the coffee house in a very natural way. There's nothing stylized about this picture and this is refreshing. I like the depth that also gives us an idea about the typical interior. Sharpness is excellent and light and colours are absolutely natural and vivid.
Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a lovely weekend,
Ourania

Buin (42084) 2013-01-19 10:45

Es ist immer wieder schön, wie Du an die Leute herangehst und die verschiedenen Lebensituationen einfängst! Auch dieses Foto lässt einen richtig "dabei sein". Du hast auf diesem Gebiet eine besondere Gabe ...
Alles Gute für Dich und die Deinen aus Siegen!
Frank

tyro (13101) 2013-01-19 14:56

Hello Mesut,

A wonderful capture of these two men, smoking and relaxing and no doubt reminiscing about the "old days" when life was just so very much better!

Excellent details and excellent colours and exposure. I presume that these two men were aware that you were taking their photograph?

Excellent!

Kind Regards,

John.

kato (6777) 2013-01-22 21:35

Hello Mesut,

You're capturing well this farm workers by a good angle and excellent tone/clarity, so it's impressive to see the spectacle that two workers wearing the hat are spending the time smoking their cigarettes or playing card games in the cafe. From a countenance, they seem to enjoy the time in the cafe.

Kind regards,
mikio

Bluejeans (64239) 2013-01-23 5:38

Ola Mesut ,
Boa cena de vida diária com estes homens neste café a conversar e a fumar , a se lembrarem de velhos tempos , gostei dos detalhes , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

ikeharel (37356) 2013-01-24 9:42

Good evening Mesut,
Nice collected the moment on the cafe', how typical.
Faces expression along with a fluent conversation, pass the time nicely...
Regards,
Ike