We asked the Turkish photographer to share with us a memorable experience or encounter he had while shooting on the streets. Tekin said: “Every photo I took and every shooting process is an incredible experience for me. But I think one of the most special ones is the goose walking on Istiklal Street (the most crowded street in Istanbul).”
Street photography often involves capturing candid moments. We were wondering how Serkan balances capturing authenticity with respecting people's privacy. The photographer said: “I also love shooting candid moments and never interfere with the flow. Of course, at this stage, I give great importance to privacy. I stay away from people as much as possible. I do not make anyone look funny in my photographs. Or if someone says they don't want to be in the frame, I delete that photo.”
We were also curious about the biggest challenges the photographer encounters while shooting on the streets. We learned that: “The biggest challenge on the street is the negative reactions of people, whether related or unrelated to the photo. No matter what, communicating with people is very important. It is often beneficial to remain calm. Safety first.”
Serkan added: “However, there are some dangerous areas in Istanbul. You shouldn't go here alone. Then communication may not work either.”
Lastly, we were interested if there are any particular places where the photographer enjoys working the most. Tekin shared with us: “For me, the most important source for street photography is Istanbul, the city I live in. But the holiest cities for me in street photography are New York and Tokyo. I hope I'll have the chance to take photos there one day.”
