IT'S A DEAL! Photo

Photographer’s Note

I happened to be sitting in a carpet shop in Kusadasi, Turkey, sipping a customary cup of tea, when I saw the drama of a carpet sale. Happily, I had my camera handy, when the owner of the shop and the customer came to an understanding. It is not clear to me whether the item purchased was the magnificent Turkish carpet hanging on the wall, or the silk kilim, depicting Leonardo's "Last Supper," that the owner's assistant was holding up.

Recently, I returned to the United States from a cruise on the Crystal Serenity. The cruise commencing in Athens, visited Kusadasi (the Port of Ephesus) in Turkey, then meandered westward to Santorini, Taormina (in Sicily), Sorrento, Civitavecchia, Livorno, Nice and Barcelona. The site is a carpets shop in Kusadasi. For several days before the cruise, I was in Istanbul, where I met a number of TE-friends. I would like to dedicate this photograph to my wonderful TE-friends in Istanbul Izzet Keribar, Salvator Barki, Aynil Dogan and Iffet Bugdaycioglu who I saw in Istanbul before the cruise.

chpp, KLB, jwmunro, MLINES, bakes888, bostankorkulugu, daddo, Buin, tober, isabela_sor, snunney, cobbydale, feather, amazon, ChrisJ, jhm, yedirenk, paololg, Cretense, NorfolkGirl, shevchenko, Vasa, alvaraalto, PixelTerror, belido, BWJ, papagolf21, gunbud, JCG, worldcitizen, pablominto, Didi, herowono has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

polpo56 (7952) 2009-08-27 14:43

Hi Bulent.

This is a typical scene in stores throughout the Mediterranean area. You have certainly captured a very nice scene, it seems as if the actors are acting.

Ciao
Ludo

chpp (3980) 2009-08-27 14:45

hi Bulent
i like this shot, simple but executed perfectly
with great light and very natural colours. I like it as it shows emotions and has a nice dynamic
very nice mood
TFS
C

KLB (18051) 2009-08-27 14:49

Hello Bulent

Ahhh the inescapable visit in a carpet shop...
I really like the mood of your shot : it's funny, very cheerful and these 3 persons seem to have a good time.
You've caught great expressions, and you've chosen the right moment to capture the hand shake.
The fine quality is incredible despite the difficult conditions of light : enlightened faces, details of the impressive weaving... All is perfect.
Sincere compliments.

Regards
Karine

erdna (5348) 2009-08-27 15:41

This is a wonderful capture of what really happens inside those carpet store in Turkey. You have captured it what motion and emotion!

I know what it is, pressure selling. It happened to me in Kusadasi. Our group was unaware that this pressure selling is going to happen. It happened to me, but I did not buy anything because I do not like the way they go about it.

I was not into photography then or I would have taken a similar picture :) Very nice picture and it jogged my memory.

Andre'

jwmunro (6575) 2009-08-27 15:57

Hello Bulent -

This brings back memories for me when I was in the rug market in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 1983. I purchased several Afghan and Kashmir rugs when I was there. You sat with the merchant had tea, Arab coffee, or a coke and chatted about the west or Afghanistan (Russian invasion) or what even came up. Then you talked about rugs and haggled about the price and most of the time you made a deal solidified with a hand shake. The money came later after another coke or cup of tea and some more talk.

Yes, a good photo showing something that is a bit alien to westerners. I never really felt comfortable negotiating for everything. The image looks just a tad flat like it could use a bit more contrast, but it does show the rug buying process and a satisfactory conclusion.

Thank you for sharing.

John

MLINES (10884) 2009-08-27 17:36

Hi Bulent, The colours and the interactions between the three subjects make this unusual and interesting to see. The carpet backdrop is something extraordinary. The lady seems how i feel in Singapore camera shops looking for a lens - only one of the two parties involved know how to bargain- need to learn to walk away and fast. TFS. Murray.

bakes888 (18189) 2009-08-27 23:38

Hi Bulent. Well timed and well captured. The pattern on the BG carpet acts a bit like a bull’s-eye for the action. Thanks for sharing.
Have a good weekend, Paul.

bostankorkulugu (33536) 2009-08-27 23:52

bu sene de görüşemedik, umarım bir dahaki sefere profesör... çok demonstratif bir kare olmuş bu... sevgiler, zarif eşinize selamlar... korkut

berek (28901) 2009-08-28 0:02

Merhaba Bülent bey,
bu sefer İstanbulda olamadığıiçin görüşemedik çok üzüldüm. harika bir fotograf yakalamışsınız. keskinlikn detaylare ve ortam süper. elinize sağlık. selamlar.
Burak

daddo (11350) 2009-08-28 0:05

Merhaba Bulent Bey. Firstly, i must mention the extraordinarily detailed background and the warm, rich glow that all the carpets shown seem to generate. The animation got me thinking about the roles here. It's like a dance in which the central man controls the tempo, aided by his helper. One is energetic, bedazzling the customer, the other oils the proceedings with smooth actions and timely smiles. As for the woman, it all seems too fast, to giddy. She looks as if she has come up for air. It made me smile. By the way, my wife and I came back from Istanbul with a kilim, so I recognize the moves. The light is special in your shot. Selamlar. Klaudio.

Buin (37634) 2009-08-28 0:14

Hallo Bulent!
A wonderful "sales conversation" and one can see that it came to a good end. The carpet in background is a wonderful and somwehow intriguing backdrop here and seeing three obviously content people in one photo also is a pleasure. I like this omne very much...
Greetings from still summerly Germany!
Frank

tober (3952) 2009-08-28 1:40

Merhaba Hocam, insanımızın sıcakkanlılığını, biraz da ticarî kurnazlığını tek bir karede özetleyen, fotoğrafa bakan kişide tebessüm yaratan bir kompozisyon olmuş. Ortamın loşluğuna rağmen renkler ve ayrıntılar hiç kaybolmamış.

Uzmanlık alanınıza giren Leonardo'nun, "Son Akşam Yemeği" tablosunu sergileyen kilime rastlamış olmanız da hoş bir tesadüf.

Çok saygılar, elinize sağlık.

Tolga

amazon (10639) 2009-08-28 1:43

ben gorusebilen sanslilardanim...ne guzel,harika bir sunumdu sizinkisi...cok cok tesekkurler,gelemeyenler icin gercek bir kayipti,kitabiniz elimde su siralar,soluksuz okuyor ve sanat ve bilimi cok farkli bir pencereden irdeleme imkanini buluyorum...fotograflari gonderme imkaniniz olursa minnettar kalirim...

fotografa gelince pazarligin son noktasi bu,cok guzel yakalanmis,hali sahane,

selam,sevgi ve saygilar size ve zarif esinize dunyanin en guzel sehrinden...

iffet

isabela_sor (42150) 2009-08-28 1:49 [Comment]

Show Comment

omerozden (1241) 2009-08-28 3:41

merhaba bulent bey,

malesef sizinle gorusemedik, ankara'dan ayrilamadim o haftasonu...
kompozisyon muhtesem. onca detay arasinda leonardo tablosu farkediliyor. ifadelerin ilgincligi ve zamanlama olaganustu.
saygilar, sevgiler

omer

jrj (34779) 2009-08-28 4:21

Good capture here Bulent with a delightful "pose". I hust love the "winner smile" of the salesman here - especially combined with the womans facial expression. That's being "just in time.."

snunney (34868) 2009-08-28 4:32

Hello Bulent,
A well timed daily life image, both shopkeeper and customer seem pleased with the outcome. The image has a good sense of dynamism. I also like the atmosphere occasioned by the subdued lighting.

Hunkar (4700) 2009-08-28 6:14

Bülent Bey,
Pazarlığın doğal halini, aynı zamanda keyifli bir anını çok iyi yakalamışsınız. Fotoğraf olumluluk dolu.
Selamlar,
Hünkar

Greg1949 (8507) 2009-08-28 6:14

Bulent, fine capture and I love how the "Leonardo" theme keeps resurfacing...

Greg

veyselk (3766) 2009-08-28 6:38

merhaba Bulent Hocam

fotoğrafta en co dikkatimi ceken o pazarlıgı yapan adam, öyle bir bakış olamaz :)
çok çok güzel bir anı yakalamışsınız hocam
ellerine sağlık

veysel

anesugur (16858) 2009-08-28 8:30

Merhaba Hocam,
Görüşmek nasip olmadı. Ama inşallah bir gün yollarımız kesişecek.
Selamlar. İyi bir hafta sonu dilerim. Uğur

Wandering_Dan (3221) 2009-08-28 9:25

Merhaba, Bulent -

Welcome back! (I also just got back, from Alaska last night.) This is a great human interest/slice of life photo; the seller looks like he knows you're taking his picture, but neither of the other people do. And the look on the buyer's face could be interpreted it several ways, such as: "Oh my God, what did I just do???" or "He's crushing my hand!" Whichever, it's a beautifully arranged scenario.

Best,
Dan

carper (64804) 2009-08-28 9:57

looks nice to me Bulent,
This is a fantastic trip you made.
the photo is nice well composed good details and the man is making a deal, good photo job here my friend, have a nice day.
regard jaap

cobbydale (1924) 2009-08-28 14:06

Bulent, you have captured the moment perfectly in a slightly surreal way. Their faces are amazing, and the carpet on the wall provides a fantastic backdrop to the scene. The woman reminds me of a young Martina Navratilova, and the owner looks a little like an English comedy actor, Mel Smith, all of which adds to the surrealism for me.
cheers
Leon

feather (49860) 2009-08-29 8:49

Ever the showman, the salesman cannot resist the opportunity to pose for you, while the woman looks startled. Maybe she didn't want the carpet after all! :D It all makes a lovely little tableau with a gorgeous background of the beautiful Turkish carpet.
Kath

kdialyna (3068) 2009-08-29 9:54

You really capture here the atmosphere of a deal, my friend,.
The most I like, is the expression on the face from the guy with the small carpet. He looks like a dark guy who comes out from the shadow trying to sell also his merchandise.
My best regards.
Kostas

ChrisJ (70203) 2009-08-29 21:25

Merhaba Bulent

Missed this one. I like the intricate & ornate geometric patterns on the bg wall carpet, & the 2 handheld minicarpets. The handshake would indicate a successful deal & purchase! A wonderful daily life scene, with excellent sharpness & diffused lighting. Tfs!

jhm (82487) 2009-08-30 3:14

Hello Dear Bulent,

A very nice tribute to our friends on TE.
You took a very nice picture on an excellent moment about the deal between people of this carpet.
I see a very lovely carpet against the wall in background, this carpet can in my living room hang, with a lot pleasure.
Nice composition, good daily life shot. TFS.

Have a nice sunday,
John

yedirenk (7351) 2009-08-30 7:17

Merhaba Bülent hocam,
demek Kuşadasına da geldiniz.çok yakınmışız sizinle görüşmeyi çok isterdim.başka zaman inşallah..
harika bir an görüntülemişsiniz.pazarlık iyice kızışmış anlaşılan.ifadeleri,ışığı ve netliğiyle şahane kompozisyon.ellerinize sağlık.selamlar

Cevdet

paololg (13757) 2009-08-30 11:31

Ciao dear Bulent,
it's really curious to see how a great historian and cultivator of the life of Leonardo has been able to photograph "l'ultima cena" in a carpet to Istanbul! You have captured a beautiful scene, with the correct expressions of the sellers and the buyer, before to a beautiful carpet in the BG. A pleasant image perfectly captured by your cleverness! Compliments, dear friend!
Ciao, have a beautiful week!
Paolo

Cretense (56072) 2009-08-30 12:38

Hello, dear Bulent!

Excellent daily life scene, humorous for sure, but also a "decisive moment", I could say! Great timing, excellent framing and composition, great light management, under dificult conditions!

Warm regards,
Hercules

lestans (15456) 2009-08-31 0:26

Hi Bulent!! what a funny scene! I remember what happens when a tourist (like I am often!) enter a capet shop! You tell a story in this shot, and it is composed in a superb way: hands are in the center of the circle designed in the big carpet! Bravo
Compliments

Livia

NorfolkGirl (100) 2009-08-31 7:40

Great photo with a comical edge to it! The face of the Turk selling the kilim (or perhaps the two Kilims!) is of delight, so I guess he got a good price from the unsuspecting tourist (haha!)

A nicely captured moment.....

shevchenko (9914) 2009-08-31 20:23

Hi Bulent,
What a big carpet hanging on the wall, it is artistic completed in complicated patterns, it is good contrast to these people in simply color clothes, distinct indoor photo under poor lighting, good shoot.
Ally

Vasa (5500) 2009-09-01 1:41

Definitely a picture from Turkey, Bulent friend. Happy moment for seller, for customer and for photographer. And for me.

So happy to see you here, friend.

Branko

rikko77 (6124) 2009-09-01 2:20

Great shot Bulent, fortunately you had your camera so you could take this pic...so funny, so "Turkish"...more Turkish than the Blue Mosque :-))
Have a nice day and TFS,
Rikk

lightsensor (721) 2009-09-01 7:25

hi, Bulent,
this is a good moment catch! the "surprise" from the buyer (female) is not "acting"! i especially like the low lighting. the indoor light (i call golden) created a old-day feel! i can feel the happiness from both sides on this "deal". like you said, your camera was in handy, that's why always have your "gun" ready for unexpected shot! good catch!

J-P,

ahmetgedikli (21901) 2009-09-02 13:20

Valla hocam yine nefis bir an, harika bir kare yakaladınız.
Selam ve saygılar.
ahmet gedikli

lousat (15330) 2009-09-02 13:31

Aaah! This is what i don't like in the tourist trips.Every day a carpet shop,a perfum shop,a artisan market...grrr..this happen's in my recently turkish trip from Bodrum to Ephesus,just 1 hour to see the old town and 2 hours inside the carpet shop :-((( ....my best compliments for the top quality of your pic,very great sharpness and colors! Have a nice day,LUCIANO

alvaraalto (5231) 2009-09-03 6:29

Hi Bulent,

A splendid picture. The expression of the three people is unique.
On the left: Charming to the lady to persuade her the buy.
In the middle: A message for you: I did it, she will buy!!! Take your picture. Show it to the world.
The lady on the right with total body language: What have I done, what will my husband say of this?

Groet Rob

bantonbuju (48626) 2009-09-03 23:59

outstanding quality of this photo, bulent...

i do love that underexposure effect with "reduced" colours range...

best, j.

PixelTerror (86088) 2009-09-04 0:16

Hi Bulent
Carpet selling is a cliche about Turkey and several other neighbouring countries, with this appropriate timing you have added action and life to the image and raised the scene interest significantly
Have a nice day JY

Angshu (33641) 2009-09-04 2:22

Hello Professor 'A'
I like the fact that the shot appears underexposed, that's the key to the beauty IMHO. Yet the crispness of the shot, the details of the carpets, amazing works of art are so very clear to the viewer. The lady looks quite astonished I might say & the scane resemples an award ceremony with the customary picture being taken, rather than a sale going on! Excellent!
With Warmest regards
Angshuman

belido (16455) 2009-09-04 4:38

Hi Bulent,

a lot funny shot. I can see it was a good negotiation...turkish are very famous for that :)) I like a lot the naturality of the scene. Very good exposure management and superb details. Well done!
Regards,
Carlos

BWJ (1773) 2009-09-04 7:44

Hello Bulent,
Informal shots are fun. Here the timing was excellent and accounts for the wonderful poses and facial expressions. The carpets on display are gorgeous and each one a work of art. When one thinks of the time and work that goes into making them, the prices are understandable. It is an excellent shot that would make a great poster or brochure advertisement for the shop owners.
Kind regards,
Betty

papagolf21 (56353) 2009-09-05 1:57

Bonjour, cher ami Bulent,
Ah ! qu'il me serait agréable de posséder ce merveilleux tapis en arrière-plan ! je suppose que les vendeurs en guise de remerciement (pour l'éventuel achat du grand tapis) veulent la remercier en lui offrant ce petit tapis représentant la Cène !
Une photo pleine de vie et vraie.
Amitiés.
Philippe

gunbud (27851) 2009-09-06 17:52

Hi Bulent,
Beautiful day life capture of this successful sale.
Both buyer and seller seem very content with this bit of commerce.
The beautiful large carpet makes the ideal backdrop to this wonderful lit scene.
Regards, Tom

MarianneS (14264) 2009-09-08 13:08

Hello Bulent,
Good capture of these people! I first thought that it was a play at the theatre! These expressions are fantastic. Very well done!
Have a nice evening,
Marianne

JCG (25315) 2009-09-09 1:37

Hello Bülent,

Beautiful and frank handshake also… Besides I have the impression that the lady feels something, according to the expression on her face !!! Amusing illustration of the commercial traditions in this country. Good timing in the catch of sight. Well done Bülent.

With all my friendships and with soon,

Jean-Charles

divail (1499) 2009-09-09 16:43

Bonsoir Bulent,
J'adore ces photos qui nous montrent un petit moment de vie, une petite portion d'une histoire, qui nous est expliquée par la note. Le moment est très bien capturé, et les expressions des personnages très expressives.
Diane

leonorkuhn (13559) 2009-09-11 8:52

Hi Bülent,

You show us an interesting scene, a trade agreement that has just taken place. When I saw the thumbnail I thought it was a scene of theater. Buying and selling is an act that presents itself in various forms, according to the custom of the people. Excellent image, great light, colors and details.

Have a nice day
Leonor

kandaras (256) 2009-09-11 18:47

hali pazarligi ilginc musteri satici profili begenmesen para yok ifadesi var sanki yuzlerde :)

Bluejeans (32269) 2009-09-17 10:57

Ola Bulent,
Interessante esta cena deste negocio , com estes vendedores de tapetes são magníficos mas devem ser bem caros , gostei da expressão da cara do homem feliz , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

worldcitizen (2257) 2009-09-20 16:32

Hello Bulent,
I like the emotion here, and the way only the man in the middle is facing the camera. The three people show different representations of the deal, and the carpet hanging on the wall in the background is beautiful, too. :-)

pablominto (40634) 2009-09-28 4:15

Hello Bulent,

Excellent catch of the decisive moment!
The interaction is well framed and I notice the funny poses...
Maybe the background is the most impressive - this time, and I think I see The Last Supper..??

Greetings,
Pablo -

Didi (36084) 2009-09-28 7:10

Salam my friend
I like very much the lights on the scene.
A very good decisive moment because the characters are not taking care about your filming action, they are very natural.
Best regards

herowono (456) 2009-10-24 14:02

Dear Bulent,
Very dramatic and nice mood photo, natural color as well as the expression on their faces. Good deal between you and the light too, beautiful lighting. Thanks for sharing.
My best regards and take care,
Ismojo