By time machine to Turkey, a photo from Kars, East Anatolia

Photographer's Note

I've had my time machine checked and repaired and fit for new journeys, so I decided to leave the digital era for some time. I started by going straight back to Turkey in 1974.

This is an ordinary street in the city of Kars in eastern Turkey, not far from what was the Soviet Union, today Armenia.

It is no understatement to say that Kars has a dramatic history, changing hands through the centuries between Armenian, Ottoman and Russian rule well into the 20th century. Presently the city has belonged to Turkey only since 1921, and as recently as after WW2 the Soviet Union claimed this area. It was only after the beginning of the Cold War, when the USA started to regard Turkey as an important strategic partner, that the Soviet leaders accepted they should stay away from this region.

In this photo we see a typical taxi stand of the 1970's. In the background is Kars castle, or rather fortress, originally built in the 12th century but destroyed and rebuilt so many times that much of its present look probably can be dated to the 1920's.

Here is a larger version.

One WS shows a closer view of the castle, another WS shows the ruins of a complex somewhere inside the castle.

I had to check my diary to recall what I thought of Kars during the 2-3 days I spent there in 1974. I discovered that I enjoyed the city very much. I thought it was generally nice and I met a lot of friendly people. I did remember, without reading the diary, that there were lots of old buildings recalling the days when Kars was part of Russia.

All photos were scanned from Kodachrome slides.

Royaldevon, bukitgolfb301, snunney, claudeD, pajaran, ChrisJ, ikeharel, johnjmoe, adramad, everlasting, jhm, ktanska, PiotrF, pierrefonds, papagolf21, macjake, clic, tyro, tyro, COSTANTINO, gervaso, PaulVDV, jean113, alvaraalto, mcmtanyel, cornejo has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

mesutilgim (0) 2019-05-19 0:59

Hello dear Gert,
Another topclass capture and TE entry in your gallery from Kars. Taken with very good pov and layout as well as sharpness.
I've been there last year and was quite surprised to see that there are less women with headscarfs than in İstanbul.
And the per capita education is quite high.
Many young girls working in restaurants there are visiting the consetvatories in Russia and singing nice classicals when serving in restaurants.
TFS and have a nice weekend
MESUT ILGIM

Royaldevon (85932) 2019-05-19 1:10

Hello Gert,

Usually, castles take prominence in scenes but not in this case. The horse-drawn taxis and f/g pedestrians dominate our attention with interest and colours. However, your w/s prove the high, dominant position of the castle.
The diagonal line of taxis is well placed and is nicely balanced by the angled pavement of pedestrians.
I see there is a car in evidence but maybe not used for commercial purposes.
Your w/s of arches is a nice addition. Yes, the lady under the arch is what makes the photo so attractive.

Have a good day,
Bev :-)

lousat (139236) 2019-05-19 1:15

Hi Gert,a very interesting post from Kars,especially because the moment of you were there,in a difficult moment for the history of this strategic point for the vold war,a copy of Cuba in a opposite geographic location. The pics are beautiful and very well done,maybe the best of your big collection of film,nice watch on the street and in the WS the castle is very curious,the style reminds a lot a genoese fort. Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano

ifege (48055) 2019-05-19 1:18

Hi Gert
A great bit of time travel! And a great scan - just about as good as a modern digital image. A great scene of "old" turkey.
cheers
Ian

bukitgolfb301 (54014) 2019-05-19 1:24

Hi dear Gert

Wow so fantatsic old image again via your gerat Time Machine. Ya maybe we can see such secne in the remote area of other Middle East, but never can see in Turkey right now. As usual 35 years pasing is quite no problem for you!, So great shot!

All the best and have a good day! Takero

snunney (130967) 2019-05-19 1:37

Hello Gert,
The road lined with taxi carriages and people makes a good lead-line into the composition. The castle on the hill though partially covered by the trees still makes an effective focal point. Excellent conversion from Kodachrome, with good natural colours and fine clarity. Interesting note.

GyurMaster (24818) 2019-05-19 1:47

Dear Gert,

What a Sunday morning, to hear the news that your time machine works again! You presented excellent photos as a start. WS1 would also sell as a main upload, but this one offers a lot more details to observe, including the human activities on the left side. Actually, they are just walking very leisure, but this enhances the photo for sure.

Best Wishes,
Gy

jmdias (115128) 2019-05-19 2:50

gert

the men use the same hat my grandfather used. nice the adorned chariots, sad the bag in the mouth of the animals. I liked the shapes of the castle ahead. how big would be these trees nowadays? removed?

take care

jorge

claudeD (47754) 2019-05-19 3:18

Hello Gert,

very good title for this interesting street view from India showing so much details to observe. Excellent informativce note. I like the view vcery much.TFS.

With regards from Luxembourg

JC

BennyV (34748) 2019-05-19 3:33

This is another stunner, Gert. Time machine, indeed. Those horse carts...you only see them for tourists these days. They have then become fake in a way. WOnderful quartet of characters on the left too. Superb, superb! Thanks a lot for showing this one here.

Cheers

Benny

Nicou (193806) 2019-05-19 4:27

Hello

Quelle compo nostalgique et vue fantastique captage et image avec cette rue cette ancienne voitures en rouge ces personnes ans la rue et quelles calиches qui attendent lesw promeneurs ces branches des arbre ce chвteau et forteresse au sommet merveilleux.
Bravo et amitiй
Nicou

Silvio1953 (221563) 2019-05-19 4:41

Ciao Gert, fascinating old shoot with animate daily life scene, thanks for beautiful WS too, tree photo with excellent clarity, splendid light and wonderful colors very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

pajaran (115861) 2019-05-19 5:11

Dobar dan.
Interesantan i dobar tekst ...
Dobar rad sa lepim fotografijama u radionici, lepo pokazano.
Lepe fotografije i secanje.
Zelim vam lepo popodne za odmor, sve najbolje.
Paja.

Good day.
Interesting and good text ...
Good work with nice photos in the workshop, beautifully shown.
Nice photos and memories.
I wish you a nice afternoon to relax, all the best.

ChrisJ (171822) 2019-05-19 6:28

Hi Gert

It was still possible to see these horse drawn carts in Erzurum and Turkey in 2013, but by then they were being used for collection of rubbish. Wishing I had the opportunity to photograph a couple of them. They always seemed to come early morning just as I was preparing to rush off to language school. There is now a nice restaurant in Kars on the mid levels that offers a great view of the city. Tfs!

Tue (92328) 2019-05-19 6:57

Hej Gert,
Billedet er 45 еr gammelt, men kvaliteten er stadig udmжrket. Isжr farverne er dejlige og meget attraktive. Det er et godt gadebillede med hestevognene og en gammel bil pе fortovet.
Lars

carlo62 (81265) 2019-05-19 7:31

Ciao Gert
Il mio taxi и un po' diverso, questi sono sicuramente piщ attraenti.
Bella la tua macchina del tempo, mi piace, riesce a trovare cose belle e interessanti che oggi non esistono piщ.
Continua pure ad utilizzarla.
Saluti

rychem (72187) 2019-05-19 7:57

This is a a journey to the past, and this not by a time machine but by horse-drawn carriages, now for sure there are taxis in this street, a great photo with an elegant composition
regards Ryszard

adramad (72978) 2019-05-19 9:18

Hello Gert.
It is always nice to remember the past, especially talking about travel, a long time since when you made this photo, however it has a great quality and the atmosphere of provincial city in this part of the world, the horse cars are such a beautiful image and remembered .... the castle looks magnificent especially in the WS image.
Excellent POV, with very good lighting, color and sharpness to enjoy the details.
Very good work. I like it
Enjoy a happy Sunday.
Very best regards.
Luis.

everlasting (19680) 2019-05-19 9:52

I always remember from when I was more active here your wonderful images from the 70"s.I was also travelling through Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan at that Tim e but without a camera so your images are always even more investing for me to see. I dont think I was ever in Kars but many small town in Eastern Turkey looked the same. Great job scanning, the clarity is excellent.

Cricri (176) 2019-05-19 10:14

Hi Gert
Beaucoup a voir dans cette image bien composer, prйsenter sous une belle lumiиre, belle scиne de vie
Amitiйs
cricri

jhm (211736) 2019-05-19 10:32

Hello Gert,

Back to the previous century.
Gert, with a digital quality, notwithstanding the first time of better colour photos in the seventies
Real a beautiful picture.
Your picture is very well taken with all details.
An excellent composition and very well presentation.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

ktanska (44758) 2019-05-19 11:56

Hej Gert,
Amount of horse carts clearly tell that this is an older one. But it isn't vivible on image quality. Nowadays you find horse carts on some touristy places. But this clearly isn't such. People coming towards you are well placed.
Kari

Miguel82 (47110) 2019-05-19 12:55

Hello Gert, impressive document from the 70's showing the daily life in Eastern Turkey close to Armenia (ex USSR). At this time horse carriages were used as taxis. The fortress dominates the town. People walking down the street animate the scene. Really good picture quality

PiotrF (54636) 2019-05-19 16:00

Hello Gert,
Superb capture from your archive, interesting notes.
Photo with excellent details, good light and nice colours.
Fine presentation.
Regards
Piotr

pierrefonds (114422) 2019-05-19 16:52

Hi Gert,

The presence of the people is animating the scene. The point of view is showing the detailsof the carraiges, of the horses and of the old ar in the background. The light has a good ed=ffect on the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

emka (158128) 2019-05-19 23:06

Hello Gert, Your time machine does a wonderful job, fantastic quality of all three pictures. Nice composition in the main one, with the castle in the background and interesting street scene. The towns I visited in my last journey also belonged to different countries in history. Fantastic colors and sharpness. I do not know this part of Turkey. In fact, tomorrow I will be quite near, only about 300 km :).

Kind regards Malgo

photographer_sg (6059) 2019-05-20 0:27

Hello Gert
A lovely street view of the Turkish town from the 70s. Such horse drawn carriages were very common on the roads of North India during the same period and I remember my friends commuting to school and back on them :). The composition is top class and so is the the classic 'film' look that no digital camera is able to reproduce. Both the WS photos are great showing the details of the historic castle.
Best regards.
Satya

Fis2 (170717) 2019-05-20 1:12

Witaj Gert!
1974!
Excellent scene from daily life.
Beautiful picture from street.
Good framing and superb colors.
Well done.
Good morning.
Krzysztof

papagolf21 (152607) 2019-05-20 6:19

Bonjour, cher Gert,
Ta machine а remonter le temps est merveilleuse, car elle permet de reprendre pied dans un temps maintenant йloignй et grвce а tes notes nous pouvons entrer dans l'Histoire !
Merci pour ces publications trиs apprйciйes.
Je vois que l'automobile a fait son apparition а travers une Renault R12 !
Les numйrisations sont impeccables.
Amitiйs.
Philippe

macjake (98454) 2019-05-20 19:02

Hi Gert
first off, sorry for misunderstanding your previous post, i guess I was off a bit haha. and to answer your question about those red spots on my drone photo -- its an easy answer, they're red bicycles, for renting. As for the WS photos, the WS 1 is the best - wow thats a wonderful scene with the fortress up top in full view. This main post looks so crisp, so clear, so colourful - its as if you took it with a modern camera yesterday. seriously, it looks that good clarity wise. I wish we could see a clearer shot of that old car, but we get to see more of them in the ws. awesome. cheers
Craig

clic (76) 2019-05-21 11:06

Hallo Gert According to the the Turkish-English dictionary the word "firsat" means 'occasion or opportunity'. Does it apply to the taxi fleet as 'used cars' could ? Anyway your picture appears as a digital capture, given the hi-rez and the colors freshness, that teleporting everyone back in time, as you mentioned below. Despite the high interest of your poster, please try to remember the formula to take us back to the present era! Halsningar

tyro (30513) 2019-05-21 12:51

Hello Gert,

As always, a fascinating and very informative note about this place and three wonderful photographs to accompany it.

Of your photographs, your two workshop images of the outside and inside of the fortress and fine but your main photograph has to be my favourite of the trio, showing what I presume was a fairly typical street here 45 years ago. I very much like the inclusion of passers-by as well as the taxi rank of what were probably once very "posh" horse-drawn vehicles but now look a little tired, as also does the one horse I can see. And, curiously, we see at least two motor cars which, I think, appear like large American ones and not entirely in keeping with the rest of the street.

Thank you for this wonderful posting for TE.

Excellent!

Kind Regards,

John.

COSTANTINO (116452) 2019-05-21 12:56

Hello dear Gert and have a nice time
I love photos of this kind describing
an ordinary street in the city of Kars
in eastern Turkey
the diagonal line of taxis is well placed
regards
Costantino

gervaso (28177) 2019-05-22 5:02

Hello, Gert!

This is the kind of photo that has your signature! An old image that shows the typical daily life scene in that place, with the people, cars and carriages sharing the street in peace, with no traffic or crowd. The buildings in the background look beautiful, and everything was captured with very good light and colors! Well done!

CLODO (45116) 2019-05-22 5:16

Hi Gert

We don't notice it's a scan slide. It's a gem to see these old memories, a street with 1 car,lfe was so different. I am amazed by your souvenir and also that you get all the records of your travels abroad.
Cheers
CLODO

PaulVDV (62886) 2019-05-23 13:35

Hello Gert,
I recognized Kars before I read the name of the town above the picture.
I wonder how this place looks like today. In 1984 it still looked exactly like on your main picture. But in the meantime, several decades have passed.
Very well composed with the many horse carriages behind each other and a good view of the castle on the hill overlooking the city.
The woman in the WS is indeed excellently placed under the arch and certainly invites you to take a picture, (in every way than unconsciously).
The clarity and colours of your main photo are superb!
Best regards, Paul

jean113 (27853) 2019-05-24 13:36

Hello Gert, the quality of this picture is excellent, hard to believe that it was taken 45 years ago!
There is so much to discover as we study the scene. Colourful and sharp, thank you for the extra shots.
Regards Jean.

alvaraalto (42804) 2019-05-26 0:52

Hello Gert,
I can hardly believe that these beautiful photos were made in the analogue stone age of photography. What an excellent quality.
But the images of the photos are also excellent.
The main photo really brings us back to 1974, but I also want to praise the second workshop photo with that lonely woman trapped in one of the many gates.
Excellent work
Have a good Sunday, groet Rob

cornejo (61504) 2019-07-04 3:06

Hello Gert, very good picture of this interesting scene of everyday life with the old castle in the background, very well captured in this interesting image, with good sharpness, depth, light, color and quality. A great job perfectly done, my congratulations my friend. Thanks for sharing this interesting work.

Good afternoon and happy weekend.
All the best from the south of Spain.
Angel.

kasianowak (17676) 2019-10-01 13:04

These three photos form a really nice series, connected by the subjects they have in common - the fortress and the important presence of people. The main image, like the ones in WS, also seems to have been timed to include the 4 walking persons. What I also like is all four of them are captured in a pose that makes the viewer realise they are walking rather than standing.
Best wishes
Kasia
Ps. I'm NOT ignoring your new UK series... :-)