Capturing the Light of Cappadocia and the Colors of Earth
Since 2012, I have been working as a professional tour guide all over Turkey, particularly in the captivating landscapes of Cappadocia. This long journey has not only given me the opportunity to share our history and culture but also sparked a passion for sharing our country's unique geography, hidden corners, and interplays of light with the world through my viewfinder. For me, photography is a form of expression deeply intertwined with my guiding profession, allowing me to immortalize the moment.
What I Capture
I primarily focus my lens on landscape, architecture, and astrophotography. By day, I photograph the flawless geometry of millennia-old historical structures and the fairy-tale valleys of Anatolia. By night, I move away from the city lights to delve into the depths of the night sky, framing the mesmerizing dance of the stars and the Milky Way. On my photography tours and expeditions, I always chase those dramatic moments when light meets the earth.
What's in My Camera Bag?
When telling my visual stories, I rely on a high-resolution, dependable primary system, alongside a versatile and lightweight secondary setup capable of adapting to any terrain or travel condition.
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Camera Bodies: At the heart of my shoots is the Sony A7 IV, my primary workhorse chosen for its incredible dynamic range and excellent low-light performance. I also carry a Sony A6000 as a highly capable, lightweight secondary body, which is perfect for location scouting and fast-paced travel.
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Wide-Angle & Night Photography: For vast landscapes, architectural details in narrow streets, and long-exposure astrophotography, I use the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM—a lens whose edge-to-edge sharpness I cannot do without.
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Flexibility & Detail: For fast-paced moments while traveling, the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 is my go-to, offering a perfect focal range from portraits to distant details on my full-frame body.
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Travel & Backup Optics: Depending on the nature of the shoot, I also utilize the Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 as a lightweight full-frame walkaround option. When shooting with my A6000, I pair it with my 16-36mm and 55-210mm lenses. This gives me an ultra-compact setup with impressive telephoto reach, ideal for long hikes or off-road explorations where mobility is key.
From the Darkroom to Digital Screens: My Editing Workflow
Pressing the shutter is just the first step. Post-shoot, I execute a meticulous digital editing process to accurately convey the atmosphere and emotion of the moment to the viewer. Using Adobe Lightroom, I adjust the light balance, color grading, and contrast to match the soul of the scene. When necessary, I finalize the image with fine-tuning and detailed retouching in Photoshop.
As a result of this professional workflow—where I highlight aesthetics without compromising naturalness—many of my selected shots are also published on global stock photography platforms like Getty Images and iStock.
