Tales of Istanbul: A Man in the Ferry

In the early mornings, I’d head out alone with my camera, finding a rhythm that felt like mine. It was during these solo walks that I really started to get the hang of photography. The quiet gave me a sense of peace, and I realized I didn’t need music to guide me—just the stillness that helped me truly see. Even now, when I’m in my studio, setting up the lighting for a shot, I crave that same quiet, a space to really connect with what I’m photographing. I used to think that music, especially jazz, was my go-to inspiration. But now, I get that it’s actually the silence that brings the image to life for me.

This picture came from one of those calm mornings, on a ferry to Eminönü. I spotted an old man, fast asleep, all by himself. The ferry was gliding along, and I was there to capture a moment frozen in time—a lonely man dreaming, with the changing scenery gently passing by behind him.

The best pictures I have ever taken were captured in the silence.