The Photography of Dr. Jeff Harper

Istanbul has lots of people, 14 million of them in Istanbul proper, with many million more in the adjacent suburbs and towns.  Everybody has to make a living one way or another.

14 million people means a lot of customers . . . customers for everything, like made-on-the-spot candy.

Street clam hawker.  It's a way to live.

There are literally millions of shopkeepers in Istanbul, but not all as friendly and positive as this spice shop worker.  A nice guy.

This tiny pastry shop was on the corner near our hotel.  We stopped there on our way back to our room every day . . . and the pastry guy remembered our favorite.

There is a row of men's clothing shops near the Egyptian Spice Market.  I bought three pairs of corduroy pants and a hat from this very helpful clothier.

We were told that there weren't many tourists, and those who were in Turkey weren't spending much.  What to do?  Enjoy each others' company in the Grand Bazaar.

The "staff" at the Grand Bazaar were all very hungry . . . for money.  I can't blame them, the overhead must be steep.  This Harim supply stall was vacant.  I guess the women's movement hasn't helped sales any.

We bought some scarves and a table cloth in The Grand Bazaar, but, sadly, not from this guy.

The curios hawkers weren't doing any better.  Time to play with the new stock.

A fellow browser in the Grand Bazaar.  O, what to buy?

The nut, dried fruit, and Turkish Delight vendors were doing alright. Imagine this is your place of employment . . . every day of your life!

This happy gentleman provided excellent service.  We bought nuts, stuffed figs, and spices from him at the Egyptian Spice market.

For some reason this Spice Market photo reminds me of Singapore, "You buy, or not?"

I spoke to the owner of this stall in the Egyptian Spice market . . . he said the exactitude of the spice display meant everything for sales.  He said his family had occupied this stall since 1660. 354 years of straightening spice piles.

The guy in the mirror followed us everywhere.

We walked everywhere from our Taksim Square location.  I enjoyed talking to the Turks and taking their photos, when allowed.

There were throngs of people on Istiklal Avenue, a main shopping street.  There were also a number of buskers and beggars too.

 Istiklal Avenue was a lively place full of warm humanity. A Turkish Huck Finn.

The Byzantines hired Viking mercenaries (a big mistake) . . . and it seems there are still a few around.  For a rough and tough Viking he is very careful with that cup of hot coffee.  NO, I can't explain it. Taken near Beyogiu.

This old fellow had seen his fair share of this and that.  Wonderful face.

Modern Turkish people, more or less.

We left on an election day . . . so the city was full of e electioneering posters and banners and flags.

Yesterday's politician.

We were going to see the Grand Palace, but the line was around the block.  Good thing too; we were able to spend the morning in the adjacent Guihane Park.  I saw this woman take this photo and went right over and took the same photo.

It was a beautiful day so there were many families in the park.

It was also a good day for a school trip to the park.  Sweet.

This neo-hippy street band was really good.  However, the guitar player became enraged that the old street person decided to join in on his penny whistle.  He got up and went over and confronted the old man.  A very violent scene  ensued with the hippie pushing the old man around while the crowd took sides.  It went from sweet odes to nature, to a classless demonstration of elitism.  Disappointing.

There were many street buskers around.  They were happy for me to take their photo once I had thrown some change in the case.

This man plays very sweetly.

I saw this young busker on several occasions, in different parts of town.

I gave her a good tip and she let me click away.

Not the best way to make a living in a big city.

There's that guy again.  Still following me.

We did not meet the complete cross section of Turkish society.  Mostly we met merchants and people engaged in food preparation and service . .  like this flatbread maker.  They had her working in the front window of a traditional Turkish restaurant . . . I guess to prove authenticity!

Another shop window bakery worker.

Of course, we frequented the kabob joints.  This was our favorite, The Konak Kabob . . . we went back several times.  Always delicious.

It was a very busy place.  They were hard working slicing and preparing the shawarma.

The Executive Chef, Mitat Oz, at the Konak Kabob was a real showman.

Mitat happily obliged to be photographed.

An apprentice shawarma assembler at the Konak Kabob.

Day turned to night . . . the street vendors were always there.  I had to walk by this guy twice a day . . . he was a hard sell.  I overpaid for some oranges one day.

The shawarma slicers were out at night too.

Midnight chicken shawarma!  Yum-yum!

A young Turkish couple out on a date.  While my wife took a photo with their iPhone, I snapped this sweet shot.

I, for one, would NOT name my night club The Crab Bar.  I would also get rid of the lurker outside the door.

OK . . . I like the effect.  People were out at all hours, even though nit became quite chilly at night in late March.

Such a sad and forlorn sight this political poster made after midnight in the orange light.  But the corrugation made me happy.