Flying over Gaziantep, a photo from Gaziantep, Southern East Anatolia

Photographer's Note

Another oldie in original b&w, this time from Gaziantep, a large city in southeastern Turkey, approximately 50 km from the border with Syria (and another 50 km to Aleppo).

I had spent a couple of days in Gaziantep in 1971 and returned in 1974, when this photo was taken. I have only sketchy memories of the city, mainly remembering it as large and crowded, very colourful and "exotic". It's on the western fringe of Turkish "Kurdistan".

In recent years Gaziantep has to some extent been drawn into the conflict in Syria. In 2016 at least 51 persons were killed and dozens injured in a suicide attack on a wedding. Most victims were Kurds, and the attack was blamed on the so called Islamic State. The Kurdish militia YPG in Syria is a sworn enemy of the IS, so the attack in Gaziantep was seen as a revenge for the fighting inside Syria.

As usual I have no memories of taking this photo and I can't say anything about it. It's just a photo. I have scanned it from an Ilford FP4 negative. Here is a larger version.

ikeharel, papagolf21, snunney, Fis2, Royaldevon, jhm, adramad, COSTANTINO, pajaran, PaulVDV, PiotrF, mcmtanyel, danos, kordinator, ourania, macjake, alvaraalto has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

lousat (138585) 2017-02-22 1:34

Hi Gert,beautiful memory from Gaziantep,a city not most visited by tourists and now in a very difficult moment because its location close to Syria and a important center for the Kurish people too. A great capture of the roofs in an excellent sharpness,a "new" old interesting post from another place now a bit dangerous,i like it! Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

ikeharel (112397) 2017-02-22 1:50

A photo well preserved through time's, Gert, and superbly scanned.
Details of the houses and roof-tops, roof tiles and streets superbly shown.
There is an old wall stretches on middle right side of the picture surrounded by a later era built houses.
It would be interesting to see a pic. from same POV on present time.
My best regards,
Ike

papagolf21 (152605) 2017-02-22 1:51

Bonjour, cher Gert,
J'imagine tr鑚 bien qu'il est bien difficile de se souvenir de certaines photos apr鑚 tant d'ann馥s.
Cette image est de qualit�. Difficile de croire qu'il s'agit d'une num駻isation.
Amiti駸.
Philippe

snunney (130967) 2017-02-22 2:06

Hello Gert,
Splendid perspective over this part of this city that I have to confess I have never heard of. I like the framing offered by the beautifully detailed. Indeed, the whole image has much detail to offer and all in perfect sharpness.

Fis2 (169679) 2017-02-22 2:29

Witaj Gert!
Wonderful view.
Houses make impression.
Amazing b&w work.
I like it.
Nice day.
Krzysztof

Royaldevon (85606) 2017-02-22 3:23

Hello Gert,

I wonder what the city will look now!
I imagine that the photographs you possess will contain most interesting, historic details to compare with the city now!

You have a managed to obtain an excellent viewpoint, detailing the roof materials initially but then showing an expansive view over the city. It's much like the bird's-eye view shots that we like to take today, the only exception is that yours is in black and white!
It's a well composed photograph, the soaring bird emphasising the viewpoint!!

Thanks for sharing this,
Bev :-)

jhm (211734) 2017-02-22 5:17

Hello Gert,

This is real a flying about the grey city a region that we see regular on the TV with Aleppo
Composition and presentation are of high quality.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

dkmurphys (79209) 2017-02-22 5:18

Hi Gert,
A fine artistic black and white capture. I like the graphical result of this panoramic shot. Very attractive.

D

mesutilgim (0) 2017-02-22 5:20

Hello dear Gert, my neighbour today !
Another nice b&w capture in your gallery; which lets beat the hearts of every photographer faster and faster.
How nice to see those buildings without TV dishes or water depot's !
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

Nicou (193806) 2017-02-22 5:34

Hlelo

Ce graphisme de tout sur les tuiles en premier plan et quelle vue sur la ville que de maisons quelle immensit� et compo avec cet oiseau en vol fantastique vue.
Bravo et belle soir馥
Niocu

Sergiom (117241) 2017-02-22 5:52

Bonjour Gert,

D駛� en 1976, tu avais l'oeil pour les belles choses. Une superbe vue sur les toits de la ville avec de beaux contrastes tr鑚 forts.

Amicalement

Serge

jmdias (114240) 2017-02-22 5:57

gert

this image has a precious graphical mood, the shapes of the roof contrast with the shapes of the houses ahead. nice result in black and white.

hugs

jorge

GyurMaster (24668) 2017-02-22 6:07

Dear Gert,

What a carefully composed picture: the tiles in the fg resembles to the houses in the back ground, while the gap between the roofs makes a bit 'excitement' to the otherwise monotonous fg. The bird on the sky was an accidental one, I guess.

Best Wishes,
Gy.

emka (157280) 2017-02-22 7:02

Hello Gert, Indeed, it is quite close to Aleppo and something like 400 km from Cappadocia. I was thinking about going there and maybe farther to Van and Nemrut but there were no local tours at the time I was in Istanbul. My dream to visit this part of Turkey.
This time without Workshops? Splendid b&w composition, the houses are so closely built. Nice roofs (probably red) and charming bird flies over the city.

Kind regrads MAlgo

rychem (72187) 2017-02-22 7:57

All these areas are covered by continuous conflict, it is sad. Your photo, however, suggests the peace in the city, beautiful view over so many roofs
regards Ryszard

adramad (72536) 2017-02-22 8:10

Hi, Gert.
As in all these scanned images, of such old originals, the great quality is surprising, an image of this city that I had not heard before to name, all the houses are very homogeneous with little height, it is like a big town, the roof of the Close-up, gives a good perspective to the eye.
Also both the sharpness and the lighting are great.
Well taken photo. I like it
Enjoy a good day.
Very best regards.
Luis.

COSTANTINO (115499) 2017-02-22 9:45

Hello dear Gert and have a nice time
symmetrical photo from Gaziantep a large city
in southeastern Turkey I like the repetition of
the roofs and the symmetry generally your notes
are really useful about recent years in 2016 at
least 51 persons were killed and dozens injured
in a suicide attack
no comments
regards
Costantino

pajaran (114867) 2017-02-22 11:31

Dobro vece.
Lep pogled, interesantan i dobar tekst ...
Dobar rad skeniranjem negativa, lepo pokazano, dobar kontrast, perspektiva i ostrina. Lep deo grada i krovovi. Lepa crno bela fotografija i secanje na 1974.
Prijatno vece i mirna noc, sve najbolje, srecno.
Paja.

Good evening.
Nice view, interesting and good text ...
Good work by scanning negatives, well shown, good contrast, perspective and sharpness. A beautiful part of the city and roofs. The beautiful black and white photographs and memories of in 1974.
Good evening and peaceful night, all the best, good luck.

PaulVDV (62796) 2017-02-22 12:31

Hello Gert,
I know where Gaziantep is located but I never spoke to someone who has visited this city. I myself traveled from Antakya to Aleppo. I remember that in Turkey busses often showed G'tep as a shorter name for their destination.
A beautiful look over both roofs to discover the city built on a gentle slope.
Indeed there's a living being on the picture enjoying a bird's-eye view of G'tep but honestly, it's hard to find the people that you've included on this photo. I think I see one person and his shadow on the left hand side of the street right next to a house. I believe he's eating a lahmacun.
Best regards, Paul

carlo62 (81265) 2017-02-22 14:57

Ciao Gert
una distesa di abitazioni che con il b&w mostra tutta la geometria del caso.
Interessanti i due tetti in primo piano, hanno due coperture diverse, quella di sinistra sembra pi� vecchia di quella a destra che utilizza materiale pi� "moderno".
Splendido l'uccello preso in volo.
Saluti
Carlo

PiotrF (54246) 2017-02-22 16:04

Hello Gert
An interesting view over the roofs in Turkey, very good b&w work.An interesting note about the city of Gaziantep.
Fine presentation
Regards
Piotr

mcmtanyel (67611) 2017-02-22 19:47

Hello Gert,
So, this is what Gaziantep looked like when I started high school. It looks like a regular Middle Eastern town to me. I wonder if much has changed in the 40+ years. Excellent historic cityscape, TFS!
Regards,
MT

danos (110407) 2017-02-23 8:45

Hello Gert,
the flying bird over this section of Gaziantep,is a bonus of the composition.
A beautiful presentation of this overcrowded town.Excellent presentation.

Regards,Danos

Silvio1953 (220553) 2017-02-23 9:34

Ciao Gert, great POV on fantastic city, lovely composition with roofs in FG, beautiful graphic, excellent clarity and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

Cricri (176) 2017-02-23 10:48

Hi Gert
Grand vue large et profonde de la ville, excellent POV, le top avec l'oiseau sur le fond blanc, belle r饌lisation
agr饌ble soir馥
cricri

kordinator (8738) 2017-02-24 7:45

Hello Gert
Impressive texture make this wonderful cityscape.
Well framed with the lighting perfectly handled.
Wonderful details in black and white format.
Kind regards
Sa啾

kasianowak (17672) 2017-02-24 12:05

Hi Gert
There is a common theme recurring in your last three uploads, even though they seemingly represent different genres of photography. The composition is about patterns. Pattern of houses in this one, houses and boats in the previous one and even the one from Mopti shows a pattern made of people and their traditional clothing.
You found a really good viewpoint to photograph Gaziantep as three layers: the roof, the rooftops and the sky.
Perfect timing for the flying bird too.
Best wishes
Kasia

ourania (51103) 2017-02-24 12:58

Hello Gert,
how original, graphic and, at the same time, mysterious this view is. The information in your note is very useful to orient the viewer, the recent news is very sad though and I'm sorry there's no peace and safety in this place nowadays. The details of this vast view are stunningly clear and the greys a great joy to view. The flying bird adds life and is a valuable dynamic element in your composition. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a great weekend,
Ourania

GFSSD-1 (5888) 2017-02-24 13:03

mERHABA,
harika bir d�manter fotograf,
nefis bir siyah beyaz 軋lışma,
kırmızı şarap gibi,
teşekk�rler
en iyi dileklerle

saxo042 (38078) 2017-02-26 11:20

Hej Gert,
Snygga mster i b蘚e fgrund och bakgrund. Intressant att se de tv� olika takt臘kningsmetoderna som visas i bilden. Man undrar vad det 舐 f 蚌smodeller.
H舁sningar
Gunnar

macjake (98262) 2017-03-07 4:52

Hi Gert
I missed this one, and i'm not sure how because its a visual feast for the brain to adjust to! haha

there's a very strong contrast going on, and with the two varying forms playing off each other it kinda hurts my eyes a bit.

the bottom third has the rooftops moving in a vertical direction, where the remaining 2/3's up top have rectangles moving left to right, right to left. its alot for the eyes to take.

effective shot, it makes a strong impact.
you say this place was so colourful, but yet you post a black and white version. no colour shots?
cheers
Craig

sacimar (38173) 2017-03-08 4:43

Hello Gert,

this is a great image of this city, I like the point of view you chose to show the roofs of the buildings, the visual effect is beautiful, well done,

Best regards,

Sergio

serp2000 (47063) 2017-03-08 5:16

Hello, Gert!
Perfect b&w photo. I have never heard Gaziantep, but I do remember a small place Kazantip in Crimea, where a youth music festival based from 1983 till 2013.
Very attractive old historic photo with some special mood. The bird is good bonus for the composition.
Best!
Serghei

alvaraalto (42804) 2017-03-09 1:28

Hello Gert
Another great oldie that connect the past with the world of today. A region of what we knew very little and now became one of the focal point of conflict situation in the middle East.
It must be special to dig in your photo-archive to find out how you experienced and recorded your visit from more than 40 years ago.
Excellent work
Have a nice day
Groet Rob

ChrisJ (171194) 2017-04-04 12:17

Hi Gert

One of the few large Turkish cities I have not been to. I went direct from Cappadocia to Nemrut and on to Diyarbakir and Van. This was in 2014 when it was a much safer time to visit but even in June 2014 I got caught up in street riot in Van with tear gas and rocks being thrown at police. I would not travel there at the moment. A pity because the Gipsy Girl Mosaic of Gaziantep is famous. Good tonal range and sharpness in this superb b&w image from a bygone era. Tfs!