A guide to Street Photography in Istanbul
A few years ago, I bought what has since become the most worn-out photo book in my collection, Istanbul: City of a Hundred Names by Alex Webb. Webb has long been one of my favourite street photographers, largely because of his ability to uncover the extraordinary within everyday life and build beautifully complex images filled with layering and depth. In this body of work, he brings Istanbul to life in a way that feels both chaotic and deeply human.
Istanbul is regularly considered one of the greatest cities in the world for street photography, and it only takes a few hours wandering its streets to understand why. The city is endlessly layered, with ferries crossing between continents, crowded markets spilling into narrow alleyways, and daily life unfolding against a backdrop of history, movement and incredible light.
Despite it raining for most of the time I was there last, Istanbul still felt incredibly rich with character and scenes. The weather almost became irrelevant. Rarely have I found the rhythm of the street so quickly, or felt so naturally drawn into simply slowing down and observing the life unfolding around me.
My favourite places in Istanbul for Street Photography
Galata Bridge
Stretching between old and new Istanbul, Galata Bridge is a constant flow of fishermen, commuters, tea sellers and drifting seagulls, making it one of the city’s richest stages to begin your street photography trip. I also recommend the squares surrounding the ferry terminals and Yeni Camii mosque on the Eminönü side of the bridge.
The Ferries
I spent way more time on Istanbul’s ferries than I planned to, captivated by the quiet, meditative feeling onboard and the way the changing daylight transformed simple commuter scenes into endlessly creative street photography moments. There are several models of ferries and each had it’s charm (although the older ones were my favourites).
Zeyrek
Tucked away from the busiest tourist streets, Zeyrek is full of steep alleys, weathered wooden houses and everyday local life that feels untouched by time.
Grand Bazaar
Full of chaotic scenes, the Grand Bazaar offers merchants, shoppers, colours, shadows and plenty of energetic and often humorous photo opportunities. Top tip: avoid the touristy indoor section in the middle.
Kadıköy
Over on the Asian side of Istanbul, with a mix of busy food markets, café culture and relaxed seaside streets, Kadıköy offers a vibrant mix of colour, character and everyday life.
If you’re interested in learning about my next street photography workshop in Istanbul, click the link.
