Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Istanbul

I just returned from Istanbul, Turkey.  It's the second time I've been there; went last year.

I love Istanbul so much, Masha Allaah.  Both this year and last I've taken nearly 1,000 images each time.  Insha Allaah I will be posting some of them here.  You can also go to my Flickr site and see my complete Istanbul set. 

I love street photography.  Photojournalism was my focus in art school.  The people of Turkey never fail to satisfy my love of photographing people.

Here are two images to start with, both taken while at mosques.

Thie first one appears kind of dark at first, but I love how my camera caught the man in the foreground and the bookcase in the background in shadow.  The mosque (either Fatih Mosque or Sulymanye, can't remember) was quite dark except for the light coming through the window behind the Muslim brother reading from the Qur'an.  The second image, of course, was taken outside.  Return ofen for more images, Insha Allaah!



Copyright 2011, S. E. Jihad Levine
All Rights Reserved


Copyright 2011, S. E. Jihad Levine
All Rights Reserved

4 comments:

Emiratesque said...

I love Istanbul. One of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. So much history and culture. Your photos are really good. I like the top one. Looks like a orientalism-esque painting.

Safiyyah said...

Jazaka Allahu Khayrn el Shahlab! I just love the city, too. I feel like I "belong" there if that makes sense.

DSK said...

mashaAllah I've always wanted to go to Turkey and still do! I bet even if I go once it won't be enough...Turkey is too beautiful mashaAllah and the people there I bet are so kind!
Welcome back sis! <3 Glad you enjoyed it..and I loved your pics! :)
By the way, am not sure if I missed it before or not, but did you change your name to Safiyyah recently? I love the name! :)

Safiyyah said...

@DSK - The Turkish people are wonderful, Masha Allaah. I have never seen Muslims like them. Despite all of the problems historically with the secular government, etc., they still maintain their deen.

My legal name is S. E. Jihad Levine, "S" stands for Sharon and "E" for my middle name, Elayne. Jihad is my husband's name, and Levine is my father's name. However, most people call me "Safiyyah," my kunya (is that the word? lol). I picked "Safiyyah," because she was one of the Jewish wives of the Prophet (saw) and I identified closely with her.