When asked how Istanbul has changed over the years and how it affects his photography, Serkan shared with Bored Panda: “Of course, it has changed. Istanbul has become a more cosmopolitan and crowded city in recent years. This has created an alienation from people and the streets of Istanbul. I feel like a stranger in Istanbul. I now walk a little nervously on the streets where I used to walk comfortably. Also, people have been very tense in recent years due to economic and political reasons. This sometimes makes communication and photography difficult. I try to adapt by staying as far away from people as possible in my photographs and with minimal communication. I started using animals and objects in the city more in my frames.”
Street photography requires dedication, and the photographer highlighted patience and persistence as key to his process. He explained: “I think effort and patience are the most important elements in street photography. I can say that each of my photographs is a different experience. Sometimes, after waiting for half an hour, the moment I want comes. Or if I couldn’t take the photo I was waiting for that day, I go back on different days. When I take the photo I want, I say, ‘this is it.’ My biggest motivation is to produce photos that express me.”
Tekin’s approach to photography is deeply personal, and he prefers to work alone: “I definitely go out alone for a photo. I usually decide where to go when I leave the house. I don’t have a ritual before starting the day, but music is a must. For about 10 years, I put on my headphones as soon as I leave the house and turn on music that motivates me. It’s usually metal music. I also have a ritual while waiting for a photo. I frame the scene and wait for someone to pass by in the way I want. When I start to get bored, I count to one hundred in my head. Until I lose hope for the photo in my head.”
Even when he doesn’t have his camera, Serkan finds himself capturing moments with his eyes. He explained how this habit shapes his perspective: “I experience these kinds of moments all the time. Even if I don’t have a camera with me, I take many photos with my eyes. These definitely play a big role in the development of my perspective. Many moments I’ve seen in the past and captured with my eyes can turn into photographs in a different place and time.”
For those exploring street photography in new cities, the seasoned photographer offered valuable advice: “I recommend that they contact street photographers living in that city and watch street photos taken there. When I go to a new city, I focus more on the streets, thinking that I may never go there again.”
