Pebbles From Paradise

Uçhisar is trendy, and somewhat expensive. It’s worth a visit there though since there are several craft and leather goods shops that belong to friends and sell hand made articles made locally.

Making Turkish Mantı is as much an opportunity for conversation as preparing food for supper.

People lived in Cappadocia long before Christ. The caves have always been a sanctuary for the oppressed. Early Christians came here when they were outlawed by the Romans. A Shamanic-Christian culture developed traces of which may still be found today.

It’s easy to collect images of this rock form. It’s as vain as any model but far more grand. Regrettably she looks a little over-made-up, perhaps even jaded, but like any grand lady long past her prime that really doesn’t matter!

Cappadocia, once an important staging post on the Silk Road now has many abandoned cave houses such as the one in this photograph taken by Jeremy Maxwell, Fine Art Photographer, Turkey.

Doorways and gates have long been favourite subjects in photography. For amateur photographers they provide a tame subject that lacks timidity, or aggression. Professional photographers usually have a few gateways in their files because they are sometimes used on bookcovers when the subject of the text is about self exploration and discovery.

Irving Penn is able to find bits of rubbish in the street and photograph it in such a way as to dignify and beautify it, without subtracting anything from its essential identity. Sometimes I’ve gone out looking for such opportunities, but most often they just occur as I’m walking along. It’s great to photograph the mundane just as-it-is!

Although Cappadocia is known for its rock formations and has become a popular destination for artists and sightseers it’s also very much an agricultural community. Most families around Ortahisar have what they call gardens but we might refer to as smallholdings.

In Turkey many mosques, including this one, broadcast prayers, and accompanying roger beeps, on over-amplified, inferior public address equipment, thus obscuring the diction and creating a kind of pastiche of what might otherwise be a beautiful spiritual experience.

When I’m walking I am not looking for anything in particular to photograph. Sometimes, however, a particular feature will grab my attention and when this happens I do my best to capture it’s image with dignity.

I’m unsure when this 1950s Mercedes last ran, but I am told she is nearly 100% original!

Looking toward Goreme Open Air Museum from the village gardens, Ortahisar ~ photograph by S.J.M. Bray.

Plastic bags, empty water bottles, beer and coke cans all may be found discarded in the Turkish countryside.

Dave Beckerman from www.nyc-photo-lessons.com writes: “Do not force yourself to take pictures of obviously dangerous people. They exist. If you are comfortable with your street skills and have been doing this for a while – and you think the shot is worth the potential danger – then by all means. But not in the beginning.”

The Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 35mm is a fine lens for digital photography.

35 mph up a rutted goat trail in a 4 x 4 my Olympus E-3 delivers a tack sharp image due to its image stabilized camera body.

Ortahisar, below the citadel ~ photograph by S.J.M. Bray.

Muğla is one strange city. I always enjoy being here. It’s compact and as unspoilt as a city can be. The people of Muğla always seem to be polite, without being obsequious, and helpful.

When Turunc’s nursery class teacher is wed, Pebbles from Paradise is on hand to record the fun

There’s more to photographing a wedding than ‘formal groups’. Reportage style images make great records of the special day.

Olympus E-3 plus Zuiko OM 24mm lens, a grab shot of a six year old resisting bed time.

Olympus E-3 plus 24mm OM Zuiko via an inexpensive E-Bay adapter. A winning combination!

A cave house near Ortahisar, Cappadocia, Turkey.

Turnc tea garden is open all the year round. It’s fair with its prices and a good place to meet your friends.

When Görel and Roger Wallis crashed Ali Arbi’s party few realised they were entertaining such distinguished guests.