As every week, let me continue to announce one of the interviews I have with people who show you the beauties of the world and who have made the love of travel, the reason of life, the reason of life, as a goal in their lives.. I can say that he is the best Turkish photographer I have ever met, born in 90, who takes great pictures, and I decided to publish an interview I had with one of my dear friends who traveled to more than 80 countries, without touching a single line.
Turkish Photographer Traveling the World
I start my story with the aim of being an inspiration, an example and imagining… Are you ready to listen to the stories of the Turkish photographer Gökhan, who works as a photographer in Turkey ?
1- My brother Gökhan. i know you too. I wanted everyone to know. Can you tell us a little about yourself ?
I was originally from Thessaloniki and was born in Ankara in 1990.. I am the only brother of 2 sisters. My childhood was spent in Athens because of my father’s job.. I am studying at Gazi University, Department of Physical Education.. I live in Ankara.
Myanmar : Turkish Photographer Traveling the World
More than 2.80 you went to the country. What impressed you the most?
I’ve been to Africa 8 times. It was my childhood dream. 1 went, 2 went, 3 went, 5 went, the last was 8. I have the same excitement every time I go.. Africa is the meaninglessness of poverty and the name of happiness. Yes you heard right. Africa is the name of the only emotion where you can be happy with all the contrasts.. Dark is the shining eyes of the continent. Africa is my country, my homeland, my family…
Africa is the shining face of the dark continent
3. I think you also love taking pictures in these countries. When did your interest in photography begin?
Scenes from Africa
My interest in photography 13 -Started at age 14. I always noticed the facial expressions and facial expressions of the people around me.. I was shooting them with a film camera. Today we can call it a portrait.. I love taking facial expressions.
4.How can a person be so passionate about taking pictures?
Photography is my lifestyle. Something like drinking water, eating. Sometimes I get so excited that I can say that it comes before the water, even before the food.. When I think of photography, I always think of life.
Scenes from the world
People’s lives should definitely be recorded. This is visually through photography.. Of course, my portraits of people in every country I’ve been to.. You can describe a country from the facial expression of the people living in that region.
5. In a geography like the African continent, let’s pass the cities, don’t they get angry when you take pictures in tribes?
Let’s just say I’ve never had a reaction! ‘Cause I sense that environment. I don’t take pictures right away. I live in them. I try to live like them. I’m adopting it.
The soul has no color. Africa is my BLACK love… : Turkish photographer Gökhan who has traveled the world
I think I have very good eye contact. I think I’m shooting them with my feelings, not my lens. By the way, I didn’t use any of the photos to harm them.. I present the lifestyles there to the world and I get good reactions from many countries and foreign press.
6.Do you have any projects to support them?
In Turkey I opened a photography exhibition 7 times and donated all the sold paintings to Africa without touching a penny.
India
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Also, I donated the income from one of my exhibitions to students studying at university in Turkey.
7.How do you make these travels? Honestly, do you have sponsors?
I have traveled to 80 countries so far. In particular, I would like to point out that my expenses are my own.. I neither received money from my father nor did I have a sponsor.. I shoot wedding stories in the summer.
Scenes from Africa : Turkish photographer Gökhan who has traveled the world
Turkey I take pictures of some artists in. I can say that I photograph my dreams with my earnings there.
8.Well, the place where you were most impressed so far ?
The place that I loved and influenced the most, of course, India’ The holy city of Varanasi, where the Ganges river is located, where the ashes are scattered when the dead are cremated in Varanasi.
Scenes from Africa
Excellent I can say a culture, a perfect lifestyle.
9. What about a famous tribe in Africa called the Mursi caliber? How does it feel to go there?
Ethiopia is home to the most primitive tribes in the world, and I was most interested in the lifestyle and culture of these people because I like to take portraits of people the most.. I have done a lot of research. We set out from Denizli with a friend of mine named Mahmut.
It was a nice cultural tour for us.. I took lots of photos and took notes.. I photographed the Mursi tribe with plates in their mouths. I interviewed the guide and got information. Do you know why they wear plates?
It’s because they feel better when they wear plates.. Although I’ve seen people in the tribe who don’t wear a plate. “Why don’t you wear it? I asked. “Because I feel beautiful even more.” he said. I smiled.
This is how life is in Africa: Turkish photographer Gökhan who has traveled the world
And to the children there We gave chocolate, candy, clothes. African people are beautiful. As long as you know how to touch…
10.What would you recommend to friends who want to be photographers?
My advice to those who want to be photographers: They should follow very good photographers, magazines, books and even Let them go to very good movies and watch the best clips in the world… Let people see their point of view.. Don’t forget that there is a story in every frame.. And let them know this well: Photography is visual history, not art.. That moment will never come again. If every second is a date, every photograph is a date.. drawn by the eye. I think that a person who has eyes, knows how to look at life and is full of emotion can take very good photos.. We have always loved life on the streets and in the lives of people in the farthest corners of the world.
Sunset in Varanasi : India
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And the love grew so much that every photo I took became my friend, not an archive document.. Every person I attracted, my friend, my brother or sister or younger, they all became my family… My respect for them will be endless.. Photos I take, hanging on my walls like we live together every day. Thank you for helping me to share my thoughts on this subject…
Let’s talk about your “Bests” a little bit :
What was your first photo; If you remember, can you talk about that moment ?
The balcony of our house was facing a park. I was 12-13 years old. It was snowing, everything was white. The trees were such a beautiful sight.. I took a photo of that moment…
What was the photo that impressed you the most when you saw it?
The green-eyed Afghan girl taken by Steve Mccury. I was very impressed by your looks.
What is your biggest motivation in photography?
People’s lives, moments and looks. I can say that it is my biggest motivation.
African children : Turkish photographer Gökhan traveling the world
Photography Which of your lower self does it reveal?
I guess I’m an emotional person. If there is emotion in a job already, good things will definitely happen. Then I think success will come.
How many countries have you visited and which ones have you photographed so far?
I have visited nearly 80 countries. I photographed all of Europe, India and almost the entire African continent.
Gökhan’s book will also be released in November.. Name: “The Spirit Has No Color.” You will be able to buy the whole Ada from the book and DR online sales.
Which culture has impressed you the most in the countries you have visited so far? Can you explain a little bit?
I was very impressed by the primitive tribes living in the Ethiopian Omo Valley (you can learn more about the Omo River Wikipedia).. And I still remember the cremation ceremonies on the banks of the Ganges river in the holy city of Varanasi, India.
By the way, I would like to talk about the lifestyle of the tribes living in Ethiopia.. About that famous MURSI TRIBLE:
- The most important and most distinguishing feature is that they wear a plate to their lips.
- Mursi women cut their lower lip at the junction of the chin when they are 15-16 years old. and they expand by pulling. They also put a plate in the created space.. As they get older and their lips become supple, they increase the size of the plates they wear.. The size of the plate he wears when he gets married is measured, and the man asks for that much cattle (bride). >The masterpieces of art decorated by young girls on their bodies are made by cutting the skin with a razor blade or rose thorn, removing the skin, pressing ash inside and closing the skin back.. In this way, they make the cut become infected and swollen.. The only condition in this application, which is made to look beautiful and achieve a social status in the tribe, is that the girl does not cry…
- I had a hard time taking a photo, I paid 5 Birr for each photo.
Tanzania Africa : Turkish photographer Gökhan who has traveled the world
How would you describe photography if you see it as a way of life?
Sometimes when I wake up, I take the machine and throw myself into life.. There were days when I couldn’t sleep because of excitement in Africa and India.. I used to get up at sunrise and immediately leave myself to the roads to photograph life.
Which country would you like to photograph the people of the most?
Vietnam and Myanmar are my target. I want to capture the lifestyles and cultures of the people there.. I hope I reach my goals in time.
Which famous person/historical personality would you most like to photograph in portrait photography? Can you write why?
I would love to take a picture of Nelson Mandela. I would love to spend time and chat with him, even for 2 minutes, but I couldn’t reach him.. It didn’t happen. But when he died, I was in Africa. I saw most people’s sadness and chatted. Mandela is the honor of the African continent. A person who has been against racism for years and spent a very long time in prison for his honor. Let him smile wherever he goes, set an example to the world, let his spirit be told.
India Varanasi : Turkish photographer
Who are the photographers who influenced and inspired you the most?
Steve Mccury comes first. The portraits he took are amazing. It makes people live the moment.. Next comes Vivian Maier. A woman who made a living by working as a nanny in America for years and took pictures with a film camera in all her spare time.. He has an incredible life. I would recommend it to everyone. In Turkey, of course Ara Güler. At the same time, I had the opportunity to get a little education from him.. He has given me a lot…
If you want to follow Gökhan :
Facebook : Gökhan Emre Akil
Instagram : Gökhan Emre Akil
He says so Gokhan. In our interview with this beautiful brother, who was born in 90 and whose biggest passion in his life is to take pictures, I learn a lot from him, too: There is a lot to see and learn in the world, but the best thing is to have a life where you can leave a trace.. The more we see the colors, the faces being different, the more we fall in love with the beauties of the world.. So follow your dreams. Think about it…