Taking some shots at the coastal side of Alsancak, Izmir

So, since I have this fresh haircut it was about time to get some new shots of myself. Not that I'm a big fan of selfies, but hey; who else to do it better than my friend @burcucelik (especially when she is requesting to take a picture "let me take a picture of you too!")? While we have had a few moments of time to relax, it's nice to capture our memories while I am still here. The weather is good, it's hot, but it's good. A lot better than back in the Netherlands as I hear from my family as it's just pouring rain the entire day. So, I feel grateful and blessed with the Sunsets here, they are simply amazing. I got to wake up to a nice Sunrise, and while we eat, or chill at her apartment, we get to witness a beautiful Sunset with a stunning view. What else could we ask for?

Alsancak

Visiting Alsancak is something that many Turks do when they live in the Izmir area. The park area is just a few meters away from the coast, and it is something else. People come together during the evening to sit, BBQ, play games, eat food, or to just chat with each other. And it's not something like a few people who gather around. Nope, there are so many people gathering around it feels like a big warm family wherever you look.

During the day it is less crowded, so a perfect time to have a little photoshoot. Burcu is happy to be one of my subjects to photograph. But maybe, I will get out of my comfort zone someday here, and ask complete strangers to photograph them as well. It would be nice to have a short interview or something with the locals here. Maybe I can just start with the people that I've met here who are becoming friends.

Bombing you guys with photographs of Burcu

It has been quite a while since I took portraits of my friends. I guess that's what happens when life gets mixed up with other priorities. Photography gives me energy, especially when I see the results and happy faces of the people who I photograph. The real challenge for me is to photograph the real you, and that my friends, doesn't always come as easy as it sounds. So, as a photographer, there are a bunch of things that you got to keep in mind before taking anyone's photograph (IMO). You not only have to be skilled in taking photographs, that shit should be mandatory and never something you should question yourself (just do it), the real skill behind it is to make people feel comfortable and at ease, as they expose a part of themselves in an eternal frame they decide to keep. To me, this is something to be grateful about, as you never get to see the same person twice, right after that moment you took that photograph.

So! Having said that. As you can see from the photographs, the Sun was starting to set, which was a great opportunity to shoot during the Golden Hour. I love the haze and flares that it gives when shooting directly or just off-set into it.

Fresh haircut

Perhaps, it wasn't the smartest way to take photographs at the coastal side of Alsancak due to the wind surges lol. It messed up my hair completely, and I look like a goofball (pics not included for obvious reasons). But Burcu is a natural talent, and she took some nice photographs! She has a keen eye for composition, that's for sure. She just needs a little bit of practice, and she could be a talented photographer herself for sure.

How's the weather at your place?

We're still dealing with 40 Celsius / ~90 Fahrenheit temperatures over here. It's bearable, I'm getting used to it, and I could definitely get used to it as well. I know Greece is hot too as well, because of the recent forest fire news.

Cheers,
Ruben