Skyscraper City, a photo from Istanbul, Marmara

Photographer's Note

Taken on a foggy day, from the hills of Beykoz, a northern municipality on the Asian side. The rugged structure of the town is obvious, while the futuristic skyline of the European side dominates the humble dwellings seen at the bottom. The direction is northeast to southwest.

Current statistics showcasing cities with most skyscrapers place my city to 15th place, with 106 high rises. The first place belongs to Hong Kong with an invincible 1,251. NYC wins the silver medal with 593.

According to emporis.com, the list goes as follows:

1 Hong Kong 1,251
2 New York City 593
3 Tokyo 410
4 Chicago 292
5 Dubai 248
6 Shanghai 238
7 Toronto 190
8 Singapore 165
9 Osaka 143
10 Bangkok 125
11 Seoul 123
12 Guangzhou 122
13 Busan 109
14 Moscow 107
15 Istanbul 106
16 Sydney 105
17 Shenzhen 91
18 Kuala Lumpur 89
19 Beijing 85
20 Miami 81

holmertz, bisok, federico, macjake, danos, jcpix, krzychu30, jhm, GyurMaster, delpeoples has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

npecanhuk (79319) 2014-05-02 4:21

Hello Deniz!
I truly enjoy what you got here!
Black & white, management of very difficult light, chosen pov and composition are real highlights in this creative image!
TFS - congrats,
Cheers,
Neyvan

holmertz (80694) 2014-05-02 11:08

Hello Deniz,
In 1970, on my first visit to your city, I never imagined Istanbul would look like this. In those days the Galata tower may still have been the highest building. Looking at this picture I first thought the nearest area looked like an unspoiled forest, before I noticed the houses, but of course there is nothing unspoiled anywhere near Istanbul today. And with the new airport there will be even less. The haze increases the feeling of something almost unreal.
Kind regards,
Gert

bisok (948) 2014-05-02 11:27

Hi Deniz,

Well ... I remember the city quite differently ... with many less skyscrapers on the horizon.
Why Turkish people want to live in this crowded place ?
There is huge areas of "empty spaces" in Turkey. I don't understand this phenomenon.

Best Regards,
Mirek

No_One (4) 2014-05-02 12:29

Hi Deniz,
That is some awesome skyline. I learn a lot on this site, and I think I mentioned before that your gallery really opened my eyes as to what modern Istanbul looks like, before seeing your shots, I would never have pictured the city like this. Your black and white treatment, and the mist enveloping the distance gives this whole scene a kind of post apocalyptic feeling, and the way you beautifully framed this makes it seem like a still from a movie. The light on the water is very special making this a classic composition. I want to see this city so badly!!
Thanks as always
Noel

federico (5509) 2014-05-02 16:07

hi deniz, very nice view in a foggy day, I like the use of b&w also
well done
fred

emka (136690) 2014-05-03 3:46

Hi,

I must say that I prefer to think about Istanbul as the city of minarets than sky rises. But quite amazing view and specially with this mystic atmosphere in black and white and fog. You like to surprize us with your views of Istanbul:). I wonder, from where it was made? I remember a bit similar view from Yoros but you were maybe closer to the city.
This statistics is interesting. But first, what is the definition of the sky scraper? One thing is obvious, Asian countries are winner and you are second in Europe. other town are far away.
Hugs MAlgo

Juzo (3114) 2014-05-03 6:39

Howdy My Friend!
Sorry for the slackness on TE, work has been so busy, and moving houses (no internet for a short while), but still no excuses for not pooping to TE.
I always like your 'darker' feel images, whatever the subject. The cityscape is awash with the mist of water almost, a lovely scene (especially for Sydney boy like me, another 'water' city).
B&W is perfect, the shapes and texture come to the fore.
Cheers
Justin

macjake (90287) 2014-05-03 17:24

Hi Deniz
there are a number of cities on that list that surprise me, and Istanbul is certainly one of them.
Hate to sound so ignortant, but I don't even know where Busan is?????

I take it the tallest skyscraper on the right is the highest in the city?

I also wonder about rooftop views in Istanbul...do you know of any - views that may not be on the tourist trail, something more secret :) But i'll take anything!

cool shot, using the poor light (well, depends how you look at it i guess) and fog to your full advantage.

love the up and down cityscape line across the frame, very cool.

PS
I can't guarentee you that I won't eat any human legs while in Istanbul! haha
Tosca loves seafood - so she is ok.
Me - I don't like seafood :( So it may be more difficult, only time will tell.

cheers
craig

danos (110395) 2014-05-03 22:43

Hi Deniz,
nice the foggy atmosphere created making the scene so beautiful and dreamily.The figures of the new and hight buildings fill excellent the backdop of the image.Well done.

Regards,Danos

willperrett (13358) 2014-05-04 2:30

Hello Deniz

What I'm drawn to in this photograph is the resolute refusal to go postcard! The monochrome choice is in tune with this of course, but the dominant feature is that modern urban skyline. Your notes imply that this was your motivation behind the shot as well. Good work.

Regards

Will

jcpix (14030) 2014-05-04 18:01

Hi Deniz,

Quite a revelation for me here, I would have never guessed Istanbul to be among the worlds cities with the most skyscrapers. Looking much more like the NY skyline from this vantage point. A wonderful mix of old and new, the compressed perspective brings them together in a very pleasing manner. The fog may have taken away from the clarity, but it sure adds a nice mood to go along with the monochrome format. Hope all has been well. Take it easy.

Friendly wishes,

Jason

Waylim (25436) 2014-05-05 23:34

Hi Deniz,

The hazy condition give this image a very special mood. Good shot consider the Hazy light and it is wise to turn into black and white.

W

krzychu30 (15512) 2014-05-06 0:48

Hi Deniz,
I see you prepare a travel list of my future destinations for me:)
Completely different view of Istanbul-I think something,that most of us would never associated Istanbul with.
But the skyline looks impressive and the fog adds a special mood to it.

Cheers,
Krzychu

jhm (188043) 2014-05-07 3:57

Hello Deniz,

This is not usual of you to see a black and white picture.
But you try to make a nice panoramic view.
Excellent composition, and perfect presentation.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice day,
John.

GyurMaster (15546) 2014-05-18 14:08

Dear Deniz, however you skipped some time without uploading new photos, you came back with excellent ones. This one is the photo of the week for me: the composition, the PS work all tells that this is a well-planned and realized shot! Congratulations!

pajaran (88874) 2014-05-20 12:47

Dobro vece.
Interesantan tekst o velikim zgradama sa opisom ...
Lep pogled na velike zgrade ...
Dobar trenutak snimka, kontrast i perspektiva, lepo pokazan deo grada i velike zgrade.
Prijatno vece i mirna noc, sve najbolje.
Paja.

Good evening.
An interesting article about the large building with the description ...
Nice view of the large building ...
Good time recording, contrast and perspective, nice part of town and was shown a large building.
Good evening and peaceful night, all the best.
Paja.

delpeoples (60286) 2014-05-21 4:35

Ciao dear Deniz

Quite happy with Sydney's 16th placing ;) An interesting POV, taken in the fog, it certainly evokes a mood different to the one I'm used to seeing of this exotic city. The concept of modern skyscrapers conflicts so much with my idea (and memory) of Istanbul. So I think the only answer is to make a comeback to Turkey...just as soon as I win the lottery :)

Nice one with the B&W too.

Cheers
Lisa

dkmurphys (76910) 2014-06-24 2:04

Hi Deniz,
Very beautiful capture in b&w. Reminds me of iconic images with NY back in the 30's. Well taken, enjoy a fine day.

Daniel