A New Year's Resolution, a photo from Istanbul, Marmara

Photographer's Note

I was going to upload a "Happy New Year" photo with lights and bright colors, but after I read about what happened in Istanbul, I couldn't bring myself to doing it. Instead, I am uploading a photo of this wine glass I had taken in Istanbul during my end-of-May early-June trip to visit family. My sister and I had gone to a concert at one of the historic yalıs (sea-front mansions) along the Anatolian side of the Bosphorus and I was snapping shots during the reception before the concert. Here is why I am uploading this particular photo for this occasion:

A gunman, wearing a Santa costume, shot and killed the policeman guarding the entrance to Reina, one of the first clubs to open along the Bosphorus, a touchstone for Istanbul's exclusive nightlife. He then opened fire on the crowd killing 39 and wounding 69. As a former parliamentarian observed, "This is an attack on the Western lifestyle. This is an attack on Turkey's secular, urban way of living." So, here is the new year's resolution: We, who are convinced of the Western philosophy of life, will continue to live our Western lifestyle. We will eat, drink and be merry, we will feed, donate and make merry fully confident that truth will prevail over the lies and half-truths that have held that area of the world captive since the 7th century A.D.

Bir Yeni Yıl Kararı

Işıklar ve parlak renklerle bir "Mutlu Yıllar" fotoğrafı yükleyecektim, ancak İstanbul'da olanları okuduktan sonra bunu yapamadım. Onun yerine, Mayıs sonu - Haziran başı aile ziyareti için gezim sırasında İstanbul'da çektiğim bu şarap kadehinin bir fotoğrafını yükleyeceğim. Ablam ve ben, Boğaz'ın Anadolu yakasındaki tarihi yalılardan birinde bir konsere gitmiştik ve konser öncesinde resepsiyon sırasında fotoğraf çekiyordum. Bu fotoğrafı bu vesile için yükleyememin nedeni şudur:

Noel Baba kostümü giymiş bir silahlı kişi, İstanbul'un seçkin gece hayatı için bir mihenk taşı olan Boğaziçi boyunca açılmış ilk kulüplerden biri olan Reina'nın girişini koruyan polis memurunu vurdu ve öldürdü. Daha sonra kalabalığa ateş açarak 39 kişiyi öldürdü ve 69 kişiyi yaraladı. Eski bir milletvekili dediği gibi, "Bu Batı yaşam tarzına yapılan bir saldırı, bu Türkiye'nin laik, kentsel yaşam biçimine yapılan bir saldırı". İşte yeni yıl kararı: Batı'nın yaşam felsefesinden ikna olmuş olan bizler Batı yaşam tarzımızı yaşamaya devam edeceğiz. 7. yüzyıldan bu yana dünyanın o bölgesini tutsak tutan yalanlar ve yarım doğrular üzerine gerçeğin hakim olacağından tam emin olarak yemek yiyip içeceğiz, mutlu olacağız; doyuracağız, bağışta bulunacağız, mutlu edeceğiz.

Exif Data
Camera / Image Information
Make: Canon
Model: Canon PowerShot SX60 HS
Lens: 3.8-247.0 mm
Software: Adobe Photoshop Elements 12.0 Macintosh
File Size: 1210 kb
Shot Information
Exposure Time: 1/100
F-Stop: f/5.0
ISO Speed Ratings: 100
Focal length: 31.49 mm
Date Taken: 2016-05-31 19:52
Metering Mode: Pattern
Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode

macjake, ikeharel, jemaflor, pajaran, Fis2, snunney, jhm, ChrisJ, ourania, holmertz, cornejo, worldcitizen, CamCam trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

ChrisJ (171366) 2017-01-01 14:51

Merhaba Murat

We should still try to enjoy life despite the great evil in the world and what better way than to spend some quality time with a good friend & a glass of wine. Love the reflection in the glass. The bg harbour adds place and context. A well spotted sunset in the glass. Tfs!

emka (157280) 2017-01-01 14:58

Hello Murat, Nice composition for the start of the new year. Nice distorted image in the glass of wine. Lovely colors. No note yet, so I do not know what resolutions you mean. I do not make any new year's resolutions, not to be frustrated and disappointed later :)
Happy new year 2017 to you and your family

MAlgo

npecanhuk (79329) 2017-01-01 15:00

Hello Murat!
Such a beautiful and agreeable picture, with special regards to the chosen pov, exposure, colors and, of course, superb composition!
TFS - congrats,
Best wishes for this new year of 2017!!!
Neyvan

macjake (98262) 2017-01-01 20:14

Hi Murat
Lets hope that one day this will all come to an end. Its hard to believe any God will approve of such behaviour, makes no sense to me.

As for the photo, its beautiful, has very attractive lighting, smart composition, and its a scene we can all relate too.
Happy New Years!
cheers
Craig

batalay (41261) 2017-01-01 20:17

Murat Bey,

I want to commend you for the thoughtful essay complementing the photo. As you know, there is an upper limit to genius, but absolutely limit to stupidity and ignorance.

Regards,

Bulent

Mesut09 (1095) 2017-01-01 22:27

Murat hocam çok güzel bir fotoğraf çekmişsiniz

Arkadaki çiftin mutlululuğu şarap kadehine yansımış

İstanbul'da yaşanan terör saldırısı konusunda tek söyleyebileceğim şey şu: Terörizm'e, yardım edene ve destekleyene lanet olsun.

jemaflor (146412) 2017-01-01 23:34

Hi Murat,
Nice composition with a good sharpness for the glass, lovely golden colors, à ta santé ! et Bonne Année 2017 !

pajaran (115047) 2017-01-01 23:57

Pozdrav.
Lep pogled i trenutak, interesantan tekst i dobar tekst, velika tragedija ...
Dobar rad, lepo pokazano, dobar kontrast i ostrina, lepe boje, lepo uhvacen trenutak. Dobra ideja i realizacija lepom fotografijom.
Sve najbolje u novoj godini koja je pocela, srecno.
Paja.

ikeharel (112549) 2017-01-02 0:41

Indeed an awefull strat of the year in Turkey, Murat, act of terror that solve absolutly nothing, just pain for the victim's families - so, we all hope this 2017 year to be much better.
The wine in the glass is beautifully shining, stunning color and transparenct allow some light coming through.
Nice idea, happy and healthy better 2017 Year.
Ike

Fis2 (169877) 2017-01-02 0:52

Witaj Murat!
Good idea, interesting shot.
Good POV, colors and sharpness.
Well done.
Best regards.
Krzysztof

snunney (130967) 2017-01-02 1:50

Hello Murat,
As you indicate life goes on despite the recent atrocities, and so it should otherwise the terrorists will succeed in their evil plans. A lovely cosy image and a sign of hope. Beautifully illuminated with excellent colours and clarity. The distorted reflections are a bonus. Happy New Year to you and your loved ones.

jhm (211734) 2017-01-02 2:47

Hello Murat,

Your picture is nice taken and very well made.
I understand not that people for religion this can done, must we than all the people with middle east culture make dead in Belgium, this is incredible, I live together with different cultures without troubles.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

Tue (91692) 2017-01-02 3:05

Hello Murat,
I was really sorry to hear about the tragedy in Istanbul on New Year's Eve. This is a beautiful photo with an excellent new year's resolution. The people and the warm colours look so beautiful as seen through the wine glass.
Lars

Cricri (176) 2017-01-02 3:46

Hi Murat
Belle composition aux côté romantique, sublime couleurs et reflets dans le verre, belle originalité
I wish you a Happy New Year!
cricri

GyurMaster (24682) 2017-01-02 6:53

Hello Murat!

Excellent essay on your thoughts and brave revelation! I wish all the best for you!

The photo is nice too.

Best Wishes,
gy.

Nicou (193806) 2017-01-02 7:01

Hello

quelle vue et compo quelle image superbe captage avec le reflet dans le verre dorés superbe alors on prend de bonnes résolutions pour cette nouvelle année c'est très bien superbe compo.
Bravo et amitié
Nicou

ourania (51103) 2017-01-02 7:22

Hello Murat,
it's very sad and shocking to see that bloody attacks continue all over the world, we were very sad and worried hearing the news about Istanbul. Your picture is about some simple and so important pleasures in life, things that millions of people are deprived of or deny themselves. Your composition, the colours and the atmosphere you captured are lovely. I hope the world will make some progress against ignorance and hatred this year. A fine illustration to your note, thank you!
All the best, a happy and Peaceful Year!
Ourania

holmertz (102096) 2017-01-02 8:17

Hello Murat,
It is devastating to watch what is happening to Turkey these days. I have visited your old country about ten times since 1970 and it has always been one of the most enjoyable countries I have known, Istanbul probably being my favorite of all cities. This is a nice composition with good colours and an attractive view of the sun's reflections in the waters of the Bosphorus in the background. It has received a symbolic relevance that you never intended.
Kind regards,
Gert

[2]

rychem (72187) 2017-01-02 8:43

This is not the first terrorist attack, and I am afraid not the last, my thoughts are with families of victims, I wish you the better and calmer 2017
regards Ryszard

Silvio1953 (220759) 2017-01-02 10:27

Ciao Lars, lovely and original composition composition with good selective focus, splendid light and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, Happy new yearciao Silvio

cornejo (61504) 2017-01-02 12:05

Hello Murat, very good photograph of this beautiful and interesting composition, very well captured in this beautiful image, with good sharpness, light, color and quality. Very good and interesting work perfectly done, my congratulations, my friend. Thank you for sharing this beautiful work.

Good afternoon and happy week.
Best wishes from the south of Spain.
Happy New Year.
Angel.

worldcitizen (15980) 2017-01-02 13:52

Hello Murat,
A Happy New Year to you! It was sad to begin the new year with another senseless act of violence. I was thinking about the people of Istanbul as I rang in the new year here in NYC. Your photo is a hopeful and beautiful one, though. The sunlight filtered through the glass, and the double view of this man, are both lovely.

lousat (138695) 2017-01-02 14:46

Hi Murat,lovely pic with the couple reflected in the glass,i have a pic me too like that in my gallery taken in Brussels and obviously i like a lot the style of your,the light and the colors are amazing,well done! Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

CamCam (515) 2017-01-02 14:46

I like the shot and your note. I understand what you mean.
My best wishes
Cam

jmdias (114384) 2017-01-06 23:18

murat

a pity these terrible events are hitting turkey with so many frequence in these last years.
nice view using the distortions of the cup of wine. TFS.

hugs

jorge