Off Duty, a photo from Erzurum, East Anatolia

Photographer's Note

Here is another photo from the day I spent in Erzurum, eastern Turkey, in late May 1973. I was on my way home after spending nearly 10 months in Asia. Less than a week later I was back in Gothenburg, where I lived in those days.

This was my fourth visit to Erzurum, a city I remember as having a strong military presence, being quite close to the border with the Soviet Union. Among the civilians unemployment seemed high, as in most Turkish cities, and lots of men were spending their days in parks or cafйs just talking, smoking and drinking endless glasses of strong, sweet tea.

These are two of those idle men I saw when sitting on a bench, looking for photo opportunities. I don't know if the man to the right was looking over his shoulder because smoke got in his eyes, or if he had noticed a nosy foreigner sitting behind him.

I will throw in a couple of workshops as well. All photos were scanned from Kodachrome slides. Here is a larger version.

PaulVDV, ourania, tyro, daddo, COSTANTINO, Royaldevon, aliabazari, swapankumarroy, trevormoffiet, jhm, adramad, Romano46, RhodieIke, SnapRJW, adores, jcpix, CLODO, mcmtanyel, ikeharel, cya has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

kasianowak (17672) 2014-11-23 9:34

Hi Gert
I really like the fact the the man on the right decided to look the other way (whatever the reason) and you caught his profile and his hand holding a cigarette.
Great use of differential focusing. The background is pleasantly blurred but still gives an idea of the surroundings: the architecture and the landscape in the distance. Two interesting photos in WS as well.
Have a nice evening
Kasia

Fis2 (169847) 2014-11-23 9:37

Witaj Gert!
Curious scene from daily life.
Good frame and colors.
Excellent depth.
Well done.
Good evening
Krzysztof

Silvio1953 (220717) 2014-11-23 11:31

Ciao Gert, nice scene, lovely daaily life composition with fine details, wonderful colors, excellent clarity and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

PaulVDV (62810) 2014-11-23 11:51

Hello Gert,
Correct atmospheric and society shots of Turkey in those years. I have no idea how Turkish society looks like nowadays but these pictures reflect very well the country that I've seen during my holidays in 1983 and in 1984.
Many elements seem to me so typical of the country, elements ranging from the text on the mountainslope (in the WS) to the costume of these men, the habit that just about every man smoked and the drinking of tea throughout the day (often in tea gardens). I also think that - after Iran - Turkye is the second 'most moustached' country in the world :)
A very nice memory for me is that I was almost never alone there. So often someone guided me (for free) to where I wanted to go and also treated me to tea. I remember I was treated to tea in the bank when exchanging travelers checks :) (no ATM's in that time!)
I'm not sure if this Turkey still exists but relatives who have recently spent their vacation in one of the many 'resorts' at the coast, told me that the country has become 'very European'.
Best regards, Paul

ourania (51103) 2014-11-23 12:41

Hello Gert,
although equally sunny and luminous, this picture looks somber, perhaps this is due to the dark clothes and the luck of connection but maybe it's your note about the unemployed men just hanging out in parks that makes me think so. I think that the scene has human interest and engages the viewer with its mystery. At this moment there doesn't seem to be connection between the two men either, so the one's back and the other's closed eyes will always remain mysterious and challenging. This and the workshop pictures make a thorough little series. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a great evening,
Ourania

daddo (28748) 2014-11-23 13:27

Hi Gert. I particularly like the sombre colours of the jackets against which the coppery skin tones stand out with the highlights provided by the sunlight, in particular of the hands and the expressive face. Regards. Klaudio.

tyro (30513) 2014-11-23 13:32

Hello Gert,

A lovely trio of photographs from Erzurum and fine notes to accompany them.

I think your main picture must be my favourite. I'm not sure if the man on the right has spied the strange foreigner with a camera but at least two guys have done so in one of your workshop pictures. But I don't get the impression that anyone seemed particularly upset by having been the subject of a photograph.

Three well taken images of excellent quality considering that they are from scanned slides. The two including people are the most interesting but do rather sadly portray a pretty miserable state of affairs when working men, denied work, probably have little money and therefore have little else to do with their time other than talk, smoke and drink tea.

Excellent!

Kind Regards,

John.

carlo62 (81265) 2014-11-23 13:44

Ciao Gert
и sempre difficile fotografare le persone senza che se ne accorgano, altrimenti la foto risulta essere poco naturale, ma credo che tu ci sia riuscito molto bene in questo caso.
Un ottimo lavoro, belle anche le foto del ws, ma condivido con te la scelta di questa foto per la prima pagina, и molto interessante anche in base a ciт che hai scritto nella nota.
Saluti
Carlo

adidas5nb (5743) 2014-11-23 17:22

wow... this is such a nice crisp shot with amazing light composition and focusing.love the mood.seems like a completely different turkey from what it is now.also love their attire.
regards
dwaipayan

COSTANTINO (115605) 2014-11-23 22:04

Good morning my dear friend
and have a nice new week
the question here is what are they
thinking of?excellent portrait
with natural and vivid colors
and great simplicity
Costantino

Royaldevon (85674) 2014-11-24 1:36

Hello Gert,

A strong photograph of these to men where the narrow dof details them well, against an interesting, unobtrusive b/g.
Your w/s photograph reminds me so much of my early days in N. E. Lancs. There were always lots of cloth capped men, not necessarily drinking tea, but gathering in groups to chat or watch the world go by. Nowadays, unless you go to a city, you rarely see large groups of people outside. Somehow, there is less community and more individuality.

Thank you for sharing this,
Bev :-)

mesutilgim (0) 2014-11-24 2:07

Hello dear Gert,
Also this "oldie" from Erzurum is very nice.
The two men in foreground are most probably discussing the political situation of the country ! And most probably you can also make a similar capture there today.
Perfect pov and compo , as well many interesting and usefull notes.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

aliabazari (21387) 2014-11-24 4:46

Hi Gert
A good shot of the two men are talking. A documented daily life. Exposure was the best. Thanks for sharing

emka (157280) 2014-11-24 6:39

Hi Gert, so it is the last week of your long trip? You came very close to these guys, I like the funny expression of this guy. Did he noticed you> I am not sure. Funny detail is this cigarette holder. Are the people still using it? I think that the situation that the men do nothing during the day, just sitting, drinking coffee of pipe is still very common in the south, it could be Turkey, Greece or Egypt. I often saw in Istanbul. Women always have something to do.
Warm regrad s MAlgo

rbassin (27472) 2014-11-24 7:07

hello Gert
un bonne scиne, bien cadrйe et bonne gestion de la profondeur.
Amicalement
Roland

rychem (72187) 2014-11-24 8:32

What can be the subject of their conversation? What was important to them then?
Excellent pphoto with great sharpness of these two men, very nice scene observed on the edge of the road, well done
regards Ryszard

swapankumarroy (3769) 2014-11-24 9:27

Hello Gert,

Very nice caption, two men were idle and sat on a road side, shot them very nicely and exhibited their attitude properly in your picture, excellent sharpness and color, I like your presentation and well framing.

warm regards,

swapankumarroy

williewhistler (16606) 2014-11-24 11:36

Hello Gert,
with the majority of the men with their backs to the camera this interesting shot has been enlivened by the profile of the moustached gentleman holding the cigarette so very carefully. There is a lot of character in his weathered face.
Warmest regards Les.

kordinator (8738) 2014-11-25 1:06

Hello Gert
Nice daily life sene under fantastic light.
Excellent dual portrait,too.
Interesting text about this place.
I like workshop photos.
Very nice photo work from ester Turkey.
Kind regards
Saљa

trevormoffiet (3112) 2014-11-25 3:44

Hej Gert,
Den kort skдrpedjup дr mycket lдmplig fцr detta foto. Det var lycka att mannen vдnde mot kameran, men du tryckte pе avtryck i tid fцr att fеnga honom.
Hдlsningar,
Trevor

jhm (211734) 2014-11-25 4:05

Hello Gert,

A world without women, also not on your second picture, this is an other world for the western people.
But your pictures are remain very interesting also after more than 40 years.
Nice portrait of the man, the face is specially.
Sharpness and clarity are perfect.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

adramad (72592) 2014-11-25 6:24

Hello Gertz.
Sensational image, with the marvelous portrait of these two men, in full conversation, certainly is a splendid portrait that conveys the atmosphere of the country, with light background outlining the population.
A nice range of colors.
Both perfect lighting, as sharpness.
Very good job.
All the best.
Have a good day.

Luis.

Nicou (193806) 2014-11-25 6:50

Hello

Un de dos l'autre en latйral quelle vue et compo superbe portrait de cet homme en train e causer avec l'autre quelle scиne et vue merveilleux.
Bravo et amitiй
Nicou

saxo042 (38078) 2014-11-25 7:35

Hej Gert,
En intressant bild av dessa mдn men egentligen дr bakgrunden lika intressant. Dдr finns mеnga fдrger i en harmonisk kombination. Men skдrpan ligger ju pе de bеda mдnnen som дr fint fеngade i fotot.
Hдlsningar
Gunnar

pajaran (115025) 2014-11-26 2:40

Dobar dan.
Dobar rad skeniranjem slajda, lepo pokazani ljudi i deo grada.
Lepe fotografije u radionici.
Lepo secanje na 1973.
Lepo popodne i sve najbolje sa lepim secanjem na posetu Turskoj.
Paja.

Good afternoon.
Good work by scanning slides, beautifully displayed and the people of the city.
Beautiful photography workshop.
Nice memories of in 1973.
A nice afternoon and all the best with beautiful memories of the visit to Turkey.
Paja.

Romano46 (18472) 2014-11-26 7:34

Ciao Gert
resto sempre piщ sorpreso dalla eccellente qualitа di queste scannerizzazioni di Kodachrome del 1973.
Le foto sembrano essere state scattate oggi invece di ben 40 anni fa.
Merito anche della tipresa molto accurata.
Bello il soggetto che ritengo sia ancora attuale nella Turchia di oggi.
Bravissimo
Ciao e buona serata
Romano

pili51 (1853) 2014-11-26 10:19

Hello Gert!
Perfect composition and POV, excellent sharpness and color, wells interestings and usefull notes.
As well interesting photos in WS, images of excellent quality considering that they are from scanned slides.
Kind regards.
Have a nice evening,
Pili

RhodieIke (11752) 2014-11-27 12:54

Hi Gert,

Wonderful capture off these two guys in full conversation.
The guy on the right looks quite a character.

Well spotted and managed.

Cheers, Iain.

SnapRJW (31631) 2014-11-28 6:35

Hello Gert - I think that sitting in public places, drinking tea and smoking is very much a Turkish male pastime. When we visited, especially the more rural areas this was exactly what we experienced. Good DOF just allows the soft backdrop to be 'read' without interfering with the two main characters. A fine trio of shots each one adding to my impression of the time and place.

Warm regards

Rosemary

Cricri (176) 2014-11-28 11:17

Hi Gert
Excellent double portrait de dos et de profil, magnifique les couleurs et la lumiиre, excellent cadrage et DOF
Belle soirйe
cricri

Periko (9105) 2014-11-28 21:33

Hi Gert
This magnificent picture is a fragment of history.
The fact of seeing this old photo in well defined colors and in a perfect focus makes me think that hss been taken yesterday.
Great work.

Regards
Pedro

adores (46979) 2014-11-29 8:24

Hi Gert!
You give a good idea about how the city looked like those days! Hard days for them, I believe! These are very good shots and I really like this one, their poses and the expression of the one on the right. They were probably talking about the situation there. Very good quality shot in spite of the age. I like how you show the houses and people around in the blurred background.

jcpix (14030) 2014-11-29 17:49

Hi Gert,

I don't know what it is exactly, but there's something "Popeye'ish" about this mans expression, what a wonderful capture of regard and character. Whatever his reason for turning at this precise moment, it sure paid off. As we both concur, this is the kind of picture that holds much more meaning and interest than that of a church, tower, river, etc. etc. And what a terrific backdrop of just your average, every day elements...plenty of interesting things to look over, but nothing overly distracting to the moment and curious glance at hand. And my word, this may be your best scan to date, the overall quality is outstanding. Fine WS pictures too, but this one is well deserving of the main post. Continued proof that a big, fancy, modern camera doesn't make one a better photographer if they don't know what they're doing in the first place. You've clearly shown a keen eye for it from long ago. Hope you're having a nice weekend. Take good care.

Friendly wishes,

Jason (the other stuffed turkey:))

abmdsudi (95869) 2014-11-29 20:40

Hi Gert
A definite similarity of profiles emerging in the middle of the frame of a good candid that looks you are getting from the man. But I like the calm formality, interesting juxtaposition, expressions and his meaningful look with a story behind and lovely how people arrange themselves very nicely sometimes. Excellent street photograph, impeccable timing and focus. Congrats
Best regards

Tigerlily (3381) 2014-11-30 4:31

Hello again Gert,
Wonderful DOF and light. I love the colour and texture of their cloths..as the horse on Texi. .. the film's colour is still a lot better than digital...
Regards,
JS

eldancer1 (36343) 2014-11-30 8:36

Looks like those two are telling war stories. Very nice candid and journalistic capture of those men. My degree was in journalism but I am not capable of taking candid shots of people, I admire your resolve. Good lighting and sharp details. Well done, tfs.

serp2000 (47063) 2014-12-04 5:28

Hello, Gert,

I am glad to see your photos after some break.
I like this Turkish series too. Good portrait, perfect quality as always. I wonder with this fact the men's jacket is still very popular in the Middle East. Sometime we can see amazing combination of man in jacket and donkey, a jacket and traditional turban etc.

Best wishes,
Serghei

CLODO (45116) 2014-12-04 5:56

hi Gert

it's an out of time picture describing well the turkish life in the 70's!
Congratulations for this oldie
CLODO

berek (50518) 2014-12-04 21:20

Dear Gert,
A back the other side what a view and compo beautiful portrait of this man being e converse with each other what scene and wonderful daily life view from Erzurum.
Greetings.
Burak

PiotrF (54246) 2014-12-16 8:53

Hello Gert,
Very nice scene with good composition.Nice observation,interesting photo of these two men. I like this very much.Beautiful and interesting job perfectly done.
Regards
Piotr

silah (2798) 2015-01-10 8:32

Hello Gert

This is very nice composition from my country. You have caught the feeling man's face. I liked hat that was the man wearing. TFS, GREETINGS, Salih

mcmtanyel (67757) 2015-01-16 22:30

hello Gert,
Excellent photos from the Erzurum of 41 years ago, which looks more like a village than a town. I love the use of selective focus in the main entry.
Regards,
MT

ikeharel (112521) 2017-03-17 8:18

Amazing scan quality, Gert, seems timeless photo.
I guess they were not in conversation at the moment taken, the man on right was just looking at some distant point around his shoulder.
Fine outcome of daily-life scene.
Good afternoon,
Ike

jmdias (114360) 2017-05-23 2:53

gert

while in rural morocco I was surprised how the people were similar with my rural portuguese family in the 1960's, the same clothes, usages, etc.. these old turk men are dressed exactly as my grandfather was.
nice details of these two men chatting and enjoying a moment. excellent flagrant with precious quality.

hugs
jorge

Miguel82 (47110) 2020-08-25 12:17

Gert, nice view of the mosque and the roofs in the workshop. The two men are discussing to pass the time. They wear berets. The man on the right is maybe dazzled by the sun or disturb by the smoke. The blurred city forms a nice background. Fine colors, good sharpness, regards.