Mind the Gap -for JuliSonne by brewgirlca
Open full image in new tab Members remain the original copyright holder in all their materials here at Renderosity. Use of any of their material inconsistent with the terms and conditions set forth is prohibited and is considered an infringement of the copyrights of the respective holders unless specially stated otherwise.
No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
I dedicate this image to my friend from Berlin, JuliSonne, who like me shares a special love of rather gritty black and white urban streetscapes. If you like the same do check out her gallery and her latest. She is doing a people with hats series: http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php?image_id=2380194&user_id=629506&member&np
This image is a classic Old Istanbul street scene. It is a small sidestreet off the main road leading to the area of palaces along the Bosphorus. It is but a gap where residents can flee from the commercial bustle just a few meters away for a cup of tea or thick Turkish coffee.
It is too narrow for cars but you can still easily be run down by a motorbike. One is coming right at me, can you see it? Indeed it is not at all uncommon in Turkey for motorbikes to be ridden right on sidewalks and at near street speeds too! Just a beep-beep of the horn and you better jump because they expect you to move! It is just typical of the extremely high street energy in Turkish cities.
However, we see something else here not too common in Turkey and that is a Turk wearing shorts. It is quite unusual to see that; even in really hot and humid weather men usually wear long dark pants. That and his GAP shirt proudly proclaim him to be a young, modern EuroTurk! Unlike the old guy in the middle distance.
That is Istanbul. It has the hustle and bustle to make New York, Chicago and even L.A. seem relatively peaceful.

Comments (30)
Mmmmmmm Thick Turkish Coffee! how I miss that!!!! Great photo and very amusing given you tidbit of information regarding the clothing choices the men prefer. Wonderful capture Roxy
cool pic, excellent
A great shot Roxy... and I like the fact that times are changing in some of the world, even if it's at a snails pace.
i really enjoy photography like this dear Roxy, this is life magazine style but better. looks like those two are coming at ya.
A great show of cross culture. The 'coiffeur' salon and then some sign in what I guess is the native language. The group to the left looks to be an interesting mixture of cultures as well. Beautiful shot and clear with detail. The high contrast black and white really accetuates the details.
Powerful imagery!
I am always struck by the number of satellite dishes in these images, but here it's the fans and air-conditioners. I would imagine they are most welcome here! Mmmmm, Turkish coffee...some hummus and mousaka, stuffed grapeleaves and some baba-ganoush. Yikes, I'm making myself hungry. This is a great image Roxy! I love little streets/alleys like this. Wonderful contrasts and b&w was definitely a good choice for this!
Steve - re: those guys coming at me. Yep, three pairs of eyes were instantly on me, the old guy in the back, the big dude up front and the coffee shop guy by the door. Yea, this was definitely a point and shoot moment, though done with a DSLR, LOL! I saw the scene, brought up the camera, fired and kept on moving - in the other direction!
This looks like a black and white drawing and is full of character showcasing the talent of the photag. And, er, uhm yeah--run don't walk away from those guys--they were NOT telegraphing the best of intentions . But at least you could have whapped them with your camera if they got too close...
Fantastic looking in b&w!
here in spain even more dangerous bicycles on the streetwalk come from behind you dont hear and see them . most have no bell and no lights. there is rules and laws but they dont give a rats. and yes Juli/Elke has also a fine hand for taking shots.
A great dedication for Juli, it seems exactly her kind of image! It is so rick in detail and interest. Thanks for pointing out those things, but I don't think you had to worry about the motorbike, he'll either swing up to the sidewalk just ahead to his left, or have to slow right down for the jump at the end, ha ha!
This is one excellant capture. Like it better then the postwork ones with all the colors..
Outstanding work and dedi. Aloha
Very cool. Stark and dramatic. Nice attitude and sense of humor.
Very cool capture Roxy, and a great dedi to a wonderful lady
Awesome
Superb capture on so many levels.
Oh yes ....i love it this neighborhood, away from the tourist track. It's the small alleys, shopping is where the native population and they settle down to a talk. Here you have an insight into the real life. A look behind the scenes - in the family. Your picture reminds me of the streets of Dubai. The old facades with the old, rusty railings of the air conditionings. As a tourist, pull the look immediately up. Suspicious, but also open. Immediately sniffed the chance of being able to make a deal. There we drank but African coffee. The B / W processing fits excellently here. Away from the lights of the city, which is of rather dreary life(outward). I thank you for this amazing photo. Juli
Wonderful old Istanbul and fantastic Photo!!!
Great black and white photoshot of old Istanbul dear Roxy.
Outstanding capture of an everyday life scene
COol shot! I love your Istanbul shots!
WONDERFUL capture...love the B&W!
Lovely shot ! Especially since you took it more or less ' on the move' :) I love the B&W and I love the way big cities have that run down look.
This reminds me very much of the 'side streets' in Udorn, Thailand - a long time ago.. A great shot, Roxy, and B&W is perfect for this!
Superb capture!
Excellent work! great use of B&W
Superb capture. Congratulations with your picture being featured in gallery of the week 45. God Bless.
This rocks! You're quite good at this, and it's a fitting dedication to someone else who's quite good at this! I love the shots you capture: they're always so full of energy and a nice, urban, jiggly vibe! There's always such a great amount of texture in your shots and this is no exception. Brilliant work! I laughed at the fact that I had to re-read the title for this a couple of times, as my immediate impression of the title was: "Mind Gap." I love it when my eyes play tricks on me, especially since there seems to be a story in the title I mis-read.