seeing again Mihtat Bey Photo

Photographer’s Note

He lives in the middle of the nature... =>this is about the retirement plan of Mihtat Bey (explanations below and a previous photo, from last Sept. here).
The first of this new series is in B&W, you'll understand why if you follow the next link and you’ll be able to tour part of his domain and see his wife in a field and finally return to the original post :
=> next photo : => cleaning a tray with a smile (and conflicting colours)

Each time I return to Goreme, I walk with my 2 big dog friends till the little retreat of Mihtat Bey : he owns a small hotel (pension) in Goreme and could live comfortably "downtown" but his little corner of paradise is here, a cave room on top of his fields that he is so proud to have transformed with modern facilities such as a toilet... After having worked hard in Germany as an electrician, he enjoys every minute of his retirement and tells me that he is happy on his own, far from the noise and the gossips of the village, about one km away...

... but he is always welcoming the visitors, can be very talkative and always offers tea, fruits from his "garden", even when he fasts during the Ramadan.

His son is in charge of the hotel, helped by his wife who does not like this kind of spartan life and who needs her neighbours in the village, but who is often helping him in the fields : as always, the women work the hardest and she is really hyperactive !...

gokanlam, tehanu_f, Vasa, adelune, rigoletto, ChrisJ, burGu has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

gokanlam (6431) 2008-05-30 23:34

Hi Catherine, lovely moment i think.. Mithat Bey seems to be happy by your visit, he is serving tea, and the movement of the hands is great. and the place smeels old times as you said happiness of his retirement. i like the soft daylight, and your choice of B&W too.. Do you have a house in Goreme? i remember that Deniz had gone to Goreme and meeting with you, but i don't remember the date exactly.. Anyway, i like your composition and information..
Have a nice weekend,
ReLa

tehanu_f (6874) 2008-05-31 0:43

Your note compliments the photo and I've enjoyed reading it. It makes the viewer look at the photo again and think about the man. I love the compo, giving clues about his cave dwelling, and the light.
Hope to see you soon. ))

Vasa (6529) 2008-05-31 0:53

Chere Catherine,

on connait deja un peu ton heros par quelques photos precedantes en vives couleurs et dans une ambience bien originale. A ta place je serais moi aussi impressione par le phenomene visuel et la ressemblance de l'environement turc et serbe. D'accord pour n/b, a ta prochaine. Amicalement

Branko

faubry (32481) 2008-05-31 4:21

bonjour cath, tu te mets au noir et blanc?? je trouve que c est un bon choix car cela renforce ta photo pour nous montrer l'intérieur de sa simple maison;
passe un bon samedi
bises
francine

adelune (2) 2008-05-31 4:26 [Comment]

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rigoletto (27032) 2008-05-31 23:38

Hi Cath,
This is an unexpected surprize, seeing a sephia photo from you. However, i do not object to that, as you very well know.
The cave houses of fairy chimneys, and the magical lives in them are, how to say, something i crave to see, again :)
For this purpose, i will be doing the best.
Mithat Bey and his environment, crowded and full of textures, became a great subject, just in your style of photographing, except the lack of colors.
Hugs,
Deniz

ChrisJ (70443) 2008-06-02 6:52

Bonjour Catherine

Missed this one. Good sharpness with excellent tonal range & a superb depiction of unconventional daily life in Turkey. Merci et amities.

burGu (4558) 2008-06-05 10:15

Hi Catherine,
Looking at your photo, and having a tour in Nevsehir gallery, I am really impatient for witnessing Goreme by myself.
Even though it looks like an ordinary kitchen of a teaseller, the ceiling says opposite and points cave houses of Goreme, of course with the help of your note and previous photo.
Soon...
Burcu

wolf38 (13137) 2008-06-06 10:17

Hello Catherine. This subtle black-and-white photo is much impressing. It is a narration over the life circumstances of this person. The photo has journalistic quality. My acknowledgment for this achievement. Best regards, Wolfgang.