Smoke gets in their eyes Photo

Photographer’s Note

Another interior of a Turkish café 35 years ago. This one is from the town of Afyon in western Anatolia, and of course all the guests are men.

Those were the days when everyone was smoking endlessly, maybe they still are. I remember that among the Turkish brands of cigarettes there were three cheap kinds called Birinci, Ikinci and Üçüncü - meaning First, Second and Third, probably refering to the quality. I think Üçüncu was really very bad. But cheap.

According to my diary from that journey, this was a "kıraathane", meaning a café providing games and newspapers. A box of backgammon or some other game lies on the nearest table. The man to the left seems to be writing something, maybe a best-selling novel. In this café a man spent the days with a typewriter, writing letters or filling in forms for the guests.

I spent an hour or two taking pictures here and will show more later.
This was scanned from an Ilford FP4 negative. I think my camera at the time was a Canon FT-QL.

figenya, Vasa, saxo042, Clementi, UlfE, Glint has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

jasmis (49966) 2009-11-16 13:06

Priceless document. Another splendid photo from "ancient" times.
Regards.

muunal (254) 2009-11-16 13:41

A very nice sample of past...A cool documentary shot...

figenya (1160) 2009-11-16 14:05

Hi Gert,

Once again happy to see another archieve photo. Very special, very well captured. I feel like traveling in time with the athmosphere of the photo.

It seems they have forgotten your existance in the cafe except the one looking directly to your camera (which also makes your photo stronger). The pictures on the wall, the great mirror, the smoke and the left side man writing down all are admiring details.

I love the Ilford film you have used in your archive photos ( not sure even if this one is also ), and used that film in post processing of my last photo. I really admire your work.

best to you

figen

Vasa (5244) 2009-11-16 17:04

Like your "Property for sale" made in Albania. Evidently you visit the cafes, Gert. You are the big tourist, such photographer. Many years I see. Nice scene here for memory. So glad to see you friend,

Branko

saxo042 (15388) 2009-11-17 0:11

Hej Gert,
Interesting picture and a very interesting note too! Did actually the men here approve to your photographing here? You get some suspicious looks. What did you do yourself here, during several hours, did you eat something or just drink coffee. I assume you didn´t smoke...
Hälsningar
Gunnar

sayeed_rahman (2257) 2009-11-17 4:30

That when you know you given a considerable portion of life and time into photography..when you dont quite remember the camera you were carrying..indeed the photography was important than anything else..

These are priceless photos gert..perhaps you joined them at a game of backgammon or chess..the turkish played a lot of chess..

the smoke rising up into the ceiling..what a detail

more of this my friend

tc

sayeed

nirvana73 (8582) 2009-11-17 8:58

Hello Gert
very nice atmosphere
came from old times
i like expressions of the men
good b/w colors
thanks for sharing
best regards
Ozhan

Clementi (43399) 2009-11-17 15:20

Ciao Gert,
how much memoirs with the film fp4!!! to open the tank and for magic to see the negative one some photos.
very beautiful this scene in black and white and excellent the quality of the scanning. compliments
Giorgio

wolf38 (12599) 2009-11-18 4:43

Hello Gert. A remarkable black and white photograph. It has journalistic quality. Light and shadows are handled very well. Overall, excellent. Best regards, Wolfgang.

ninaL (19386) 2009-11-18 9:49

Powerful scene.
Like a moovie...
Once again, society of the men...
Wonderful classic piece.
Best regards again. Grazyna.

UlfE (8905) 2009-11-18 11:09

Hej Gert,

I notice that your very fine documentary picture of Turkish café has grown to a series of three pictures from Turkey in those days. I really enjoy this picture of daily life. The inclusion of the man writing some is really great. And I also like the relaxed expression on the faces of the men to the right. An excellent photo-job. TFS and have a nice evening!

Hälsingar

Ulf

Glint (3039) 2009-11-19 11:59

Hello Gert,
this is an interesting daily life and documentary photograph.This place seems so "real", authentic I suppose I mean.Well composed with the group of men balanced by the single writer.Your note is an excellent and equally intersting partner.
best regards,
Bev