Urban Back Streets: End of Day, Samatya Quarter, Istanbul

Houses and apartment blocks, wooden and concrete, at day’s end. Taken on a back street near the commuter rail tracks along the Marmara, Samatya (Psamatia) quarter, Istanbul, 2011 or 2012. Toyo field camera, 55mm Rodenstock lens, color negative roll film in a 6×9 cm. back. Click to enlarge.
Every time my strained back — and equally strained wallet — prompt me to cease photographing on film using my heavy, tripod supported, time-intensive, medium- and large-format Toyo field camera, I ultimately find cause to reverse my decision. Last Friday, while walking through the center of Sofia, Bulgaria, I spotted a photographer busy at work behind a beautiful, Chinese-made, wood and metal large-format view camera fitted with a wide-angle Schneider lens. Later, at my desk, I reviewed some recent scans I had made of selected negatives shot over the years with my heavy but rock-solid Toyo. The image above struck my fancy. It was taken in the one-time Greek and Armenian quarter of Samatya (officially re-dubbed Koca Mustafa Paşa) along the suburban railroad tracks that follow the European coast of the Sea of Marmara. The mix of well-used buildings, the rugged urban greenery, the frontal portrait-like view, the absence of people, and the late-day light struck an emotional chord that I hope resonates.
Super stuff — a nice contrast to what we saw at the Met this weekend: http://www.metmuseum.org/about-the-museum/press-room/exhibitions/2014/garry-winogrand
Many thanks, Boyan. The compliment is appreciated! You commented within minutes of my posting. I read about the Winogrand Exhibition in the NYT this morning. From what I understand, the photos were developed and printed posthumously. Looking forward to hearing about it from you in person..
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