Repost This ArticleLarissa Olenicoff puts on an iPhoneography clinic in Turkey’s biggest city.
ISTANBUL IS A CITY where you can score some pretty amazing photography. The problem is that its pace is sometimes so fast you can miss the best photo opportunities. That’s why I found myself clutching my iPhone during a 10-day visit rather than taking the time to reach for my digital camera. Aside from convenience, the various iPhone photo apps give me the ability to add more expression and detail to my shots, which makes the final product something so much more personal than a raw image.
Here is Istanbul through the lens of my iPhone. 
1
Istanbul iPhoneography
One of the first and most memorable views of Sultanahmet you will see when crossing the Galata Bridge from Beyoglu. Suddenly it becomes clear why this city was the center of the Ottoman Empire for so many years.
2
Istanbul iPhoneography
I look over at this man eating and feel like I am gazing through a window that goes back a few hundred years. Some minutes later, after quickly playing with a few apps, I am able to achieve the effect that I was feeling.
3
Istanbul iPhoneography
Hitting the fountains. Wudhu is the required washing Islamic men must do before prayer.Intermission
4
Istanbul iPhoneography
Chaos in the Grand Bazaar! This world famous market has over 4,000 vendors covering 58 streets. A good sense of direction, a shopping list, and patience are highly recommended.
5
Istanbul iPhoneography
Escaping the madness of the Grand Bazaar to a side-street cafe for some Turkish "fast food": grilled cheese simit and freshly squeezed pomegranate juice.
6
Istanbul iPhoneography
I couldn't believe these mismatched minarets and seemingly unkempt exterior belonged to the Hagia Sofia--one of, if not the most famous place of worship in history. The interior more than makes up for it though...
7
Istanbul iPhoneography
Awestruck inside the Hagia Sophia, or "church of divine wisdom."
8
Istanbul iPhoneography
Dodging street vendors on the walk up to the Blue Mosque. Aside from the usual carts selling traditional Turkish garb and souvenirs, there are tons of kids pushing around these antiquated old carts squeezing fresh pomegranate and orange juice for a few lira.
9
Istanbul iPhoneography
A descent into the creepy Basilica Cistern. Not too many photo effects were needed to convey the eerie stillness that fills this place.Intermission
10
Istanbul iPhoneography
When a walk down the mile-long Istiklal Caddesi, Istanbul's main pedestrian street, seems too crowded and overwhelming...just look up.
11
Istanbul iPhoneography
You can't walk 50 feet in Istanbul without seeing a street vendor selling simit. Sort of like a Turkish bagel but covered in sesame seeds, they are mostly eaten for breakfast but also make a perfect on-the-go snack when you're busy fitting in as many Istanbul sites as you can.
12
Istanbul iPhoneography
The architecture of Dolmabahçe Palace blew me away. It is way more impressive, though less hyped, than Topkapi Palace in Sultanahmet.
13
Istanbul iPhoneography
Whether by foot, cart, motorbike, or car, Istanbul's residents are constantly moving. Just one more reason why shooting with a camera phone comes in handy.
14
Istanbul iPhoneography
Watching the sunset while simultaneously watching maitre d's poach customers from the many overly touristic restaurants that line the bottom of the Galata Bridge.
15
Istanbul iPhoneography
Morning, day, or night, during or after a meal, it's always çay time. These glasses come piping hot--a good tip I received from a çay pro is to hold them as close to the rim as possible so as not to burn your fingers.Intermission
16
Istanbul iPhoneography
When visiting hours are over and most of the tourists cleared out, a visit to the Blue Mosque can be just as inspiring with its floodlit domes and minarets.
17
Istanbul iPhoneography
Serenity now. Moments before prayer as the last tourists are trickling out, I snap a shot of the beautifully empty Blue Mosque.
18
Istanbul iPhoneography
Taksim is notorious for pickpockets and tourist scams. It's probably not a good idea to go wandering down the back alleys solo at night if you aren't 100% sure where they'll take you.
19
Istanbul iPhoneography
Rare glimpses of an empty road. The traffic in Istanbul is absolutely frightening--the driving of most taxi drivers even more so. The population of cars in Istanbul is increasing faster than its population of people, with approximately 640 new ones registered every day.
20
Istanbul iPhoneography
Straddling Europe and Asia, Istanbul takes pride in being the only city in the world situated on two continents. A ride over the Bosphorus Bridge to the Asian side in a dolmus (shared mini bus) is a must--if not to see how more European than Asian it seems, then to experience what it feels like to be on two different continents within the span of 5-7 minutes...depending on the traffic, of course.
Larissa Olenicoff
Larissa Olenicoff is a freelance writer and photographer busy at work exploring as much of the European continent as possible. She is currently based in southern Sweden where she is also pursuing a Master of Arts in European Studies. You can follow her adventures and iPhoneography at The Blonde Gypsy or on Instagram @theblondegypsy.
unreal how expressive these are.
what apps did you use?
Thank you, David! A whole bunch (I like to mix them) but at this time I was using PictureShow and PhotoStudio a lot. Don’t want to divulge too much information yet, I have another article currently in the works about this
sweet. was hoping you’d say that.
Beautiful photos! In three days time I will check out how the reality differs from the apps
Keep us posted! My guess is that the reality will blow your mind
Enjoy Istanbul!
lovely! but istanbul is not the capital of turkey! the capital is ankara
Apologies Adem — that was a stupid oversight on the editor’s (my) part. Corrected.
Thanks for calling me out, and I’m glad you enjoyed the photos.
Great pics; I lived there for 5 years and was often struck by the beauty of sunrises in Istanbul. We also had the privilege on living on the 12th floor of an apartment on the European side, with a view towards the Asian side. Here are some links to photos I took with my iPhone 3GS.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.405676333003.180736.568578003&type=1&l=7ed4d11203
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.219613083003.137886.568578003&type=1&l=3a2ac963a1
Wow, those are incredible. I’m sure it wasn’t easy parting with that view! Sunrises and sunsets, I couldn’t get enough of either in the 10 days I was there.
Such a great idea to take these photos with your phone. It shows you Istanbul in a completely different way – beautiful!
Without a shot of Istiklal Street it is always incomplete IMHO.
Several are quite over-edited imo but I love the idea. As a teacher of iPhoneography myself, I just love showing people how a dSLR can be overkill and an iPhone might be all one needs to capture great travel photos on the road! Istanbul is a city I am dying to visit for myself. Now, my appetite is a little sated from seeing these images.
Yeah, iPhoneography is great, isn’t it? The editing process for me is very personal so while some may seem over-edited, to me they speak volumes to me in terms of how I was feeling at that exact moment. Glad you got a little taste of Istanbul from this
Hope you can make it over soon…I myself am dying to get back!