at Sulukule : leaving is not easy Photo

Photographer’s Note

This photo is dedicated to Matthieu (a French photographer on the tracks of Roma people all around the world [incl. India], whom I met in Cappadocia) who told me more about the area and encouraged to go there on my own.

It was taken yesterday in Sulukule (Wiki), an area of Istanbul being transformed ; many inhabitants have already left this area, blocks of houses have been flattened and the remaining ones will have to leave within one year.

The place is reputed as dangerous, specially at night and so many things happened to me, also because I was already exhausted ; nothing really bad though and I found the majority of the people friendly and the children, though terribly unruly, as bright and fun as everywhere else.

Here, a family of Romas, 3 sisters being separated, one family busy moving to another area in Istanbul (near Balat : not a bad place !) ; the sadest ones are those who remain of course... I saw lots of tears but in the same time, some laughs too, all those emotions moved me also a lot - WS = FYI : the colour version and house removal, 1st of many travels in front of the antique walls

(You can read more infos about what's happening to the area here : "Roma neighborhood of Sulukule awaits demolition" and I'll add more of my adventures also later on as it can be useful to other travellers.

Sne011, faubry, Vasa, Merline, ryno has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

amazon (10385) 2008-08-22 0:15

off ki of,
insanlarinin umursamazlığı ve her daim neşeli olmayi becerebildikleri yer...müzigin 9/8'lik ritmi ile kendilerinin ve seyredenlerin içinde kıprtılar uyandıran insanlar....keşke hep böyle kalsaydı sulukule,istanbul'un en güzel renklerinden biri olarak....
cok güzel bir paylaşım cath,
teşekkürler,
iffet

aadilj (17950) 2008-08-22 0:35

This one seems dated and historic and yet so documentary like and everyday shot of lesser known people leading their lives. I like the textures and the way you have used the situation to your advantage

jasmis (49633) 2008-08-22 0:43

Marvellous scenery. The essence of life. Great ammount of exotics, atmosphere of the street.
I really like it.
Regards.

hatti52 (12654) 2008-08-22 1:11

Hi Cath,
where were you?wellcome again
Marvellous B&W image
thanks for your note
cheers

holmertz (9284) 2008-08-22 1:22

Hello Catherine,
An intense depiction of daily life in the street, literally miles away from the modern sophistication of the Taksim/Istiklal Caddesi area. There seems to be somethinh happening in every inch of the picture.
Regards,
Gert

Polonaise (5627) 2008-08-22 6:27

Amazing, incredible close contact with those people, Catherine...

To be one of them...?

No technologically advanced camera can substitute THAT quality...

Bow my head low in front of you...
very low...

..................
It's good to have you back, Katarzyna...
The hot soup is ready, waiting for you on the kitchen table...

Welcome home, dear

berek (28750) 2008-08-22 7:59

Hi Catherine ,
nice moment from daily life . I like b&w working. best wishes.
Burak

scalerman (25619) 2008-08-22 16:38

Catherine: a busy and powerfully complex image. It's an immediate winner. c

faubry (32197) 2008-08-23 8:48

bonjour Cath, je suis encore en Roumanie, et aujourd hui chez des amis, ce qui me permet de venir faire un petit tour sur TE,j aime beaucoup cette scene de vie, naturelle, tout est vrai ici, personne ne se soucie de toi, et c est ce qui me plait.
a tres bientot
amities
francine

dvlazar (6468) 2008-08-24 2:27

Hey there!
A good street capture - showing the life of these ladies.
Its clear and sharp and shares an interesting moment in time.
Dave

:)

Vasa (4836) 2008-09-10 15:49

Tres belle scene dans la rue. J'ai vu aussi la version couleur, chatouille par la curiosite sur les couleurs des robes. La version couleur exige un peu de jaune, pour satisfaite mon gout partial.

J'aime bien cette image, chere Catherine,

Branko

Merline (6574) 2008-09-13 16:48

D'un naturel superbe...elles ne font pas attention à toi, ce qui en dit long sur ton don d'intégration, de contact. Belle courbe crée par les femmes, mélange de genres et de générations, attitudes spontanées, un moment de vie très intéressant, merci pour tes explications qui nous rendent cette photo encore plus vivante et pour les ws. Que sont-elles devenues maintenant...? qui sait ?

Bien à toi
Michèle

ryno (4576) 2009-04-30 7:37

Hi Catherine, I really enjoyed your Turkish Roma series, especially the photos from Sulukule. It brought back memories from the time I lived in Isanbul - I used to walk in this area often and found it as interesting as you do. Great photos & notes!
Ryno