Today my class starts at 6:00 PM, but the weather was too beautiful to stay inside. The sun was out, the sky was clear, and Istanbul looked extra alive. So I decided to leave home early and turn the time before class into a small photo walk.
Normally I go to my course by metro because it is faster. But today I wanted a different route. I took the bus instead. When I got off the bus, I realized I still had about one hour to reach my destination. One hour is not a problem when the streets are bright and you feel curious. So I started walking slowly.
My bag was heavy. I had my book with me, and also my things for class. Still, I did not want to complain. A heavy bag is not the best, but it also reminds you that you are going somewhere, carrying your plans with you. The good part was the air. It was sunny, but still cold. This mix is very common here. The sunlight feels warm on your face, but your hands still want to hide in your pockets.
As I walked, I paid attention to the people around me. The streets were crowded, but not in a stressful way. Istanbul is famous for crowds. Everybody knows that. But today the crowd felt soft, like it was part of the city’s rhythm. There were many tourists and also many local people. Some were walking fast, some were taking photos, and some were just sitting and watching the street. I love that feeling: a city full of movement, but not aggressive.
For photography, this kind of day is perfect. The sun creates strong shadows, and shadows tell stories. At one point I looked down and saw my own shadow on the pavement. It was long and clear, like a quiet copy of me walking beside me. I took a photo because shadows feel honest. They do not show your face, but they still show your presence. The lines on the ground, the shape of the shadow, and the direction of the light can say a lot about time and mood.
I also noticed the streets and buildings more than usual. When you walk instead of rushing, you see details. You see the textures of the sidewalks, the small shops, the signs, the trees without leaves, and the way the light touches windows. Some streets looked modern, with big buildings and clean lines. Other parts looked older, with a more classic Istanbul feeling. This city always mixes times together. One moment you feel like you are in a new world, and the next moment you feel history in the walls.
At first, I thought I would find a café and sit down to read. But then I felt hungry. I had only eaten breakfast, and my body reminded me. When you walk for a long time in cold weather, hunger comes faster. So I changed the plan: food first, café later.
While walking, I saw something that always gets my attention: a pilav place. In many areas of Istanbul, pilavcı shops are popular, and people love to eat pilav on the street. I also love rice, especially simple rice with a good topping. I looked at the options and chose pilav with liver. I really like liver, but usually I prefer it as shish (on a skewer). Still, this version looked interesting, and I wanted to try it.
The plate arrived with warm rice and pieces of liver on top. It looked simple, but also very real and comforting. I took photos from different angles, because food photos can show more than food. They can show place and culture. You can see the table, the spoon, the light, and even small details like pickles or spices. I also ordered a plain soda to drink.
There were also small hot peppers on the side. For me, this is “must.” Hot peppers make the meal feel complete. They were not extremely spicy, but they were strong enough to add freshness. And honestly, spicy food is perfect when the weather is cold. It warms you up from inside. This is one of my favorite contrasts: cold air outside, warm food inside your body.
I could not finish all the food. Near the end, the rice felt a bit oily at the bottom, so I stopped. But it was still a good meal, and I enjoyed it. After food like this, the best thing is tea. In Turkey, this is a classic rule: after eating, tea appears. Sometimes it is offered, sometimes you order it, but either way, it feels like a small tradition that never gets old. The tea tasted amazing, maybe because I was already happy from the walk and the sun.
After eating, I walked again. I still wanted to read my book. I brought it because in class we were going to do documentary voice work, and I needed to warm up my tongue. Reading out loud helps a lot. It makes your voice more active, and your mouth more flexible. Also, reading out loud in a quiet place feels like a private rehearsal.
I found a café not too far away. I had just eaten, so I did not really need more food, but when you sit in a café, you usually buy something. I also had tea in my thermos. I always carry tea with me. It is like a small friend in my bag. Still, I decided to buy a dessert. I chose a forest berry tart.
The café had a quiet area in the back, and I was lucky because it was not crowded there. I sat down, put on my headphones, and played calm music without lyrics. Then I opened my book and started to read out loud, slowly and clearly. This was one of the best moments of the day. The combination of soft music, a quiet corner, and reading made me feel focused and peaceful. I also took photos of the table, the tart, and the book, because these small scenes show my real day. I love “daily life photography” for this reason. It is not about a perfect model or a perfect place. It is about honest moments.
My book is called “Sıra Dışı Ol” (Be Unusual), and I smiled when I looked at the cover. The title matched my day. Taking a bus instead of the metro, walking for an hour, eating pilav, reading in a café, and taking photos of simple things… maybe it is not unusual for everyone, but it felt special to me. Sometimes the best days are not big events. They are just small choices that make the day brighter.
After I finished the tart, I checked the time. I had about 20 minutes left before class. Perfect. I walked to the course slowly, still enjoying the air. I arrived feeling warm inside, even though the weather was cold. I felt refreshed, like I had already lived a full day before the class even started.
I think tomorrow I will do the same. Maybe I will leave even earlier. Istanbul in sunny weather is something I really love. Usually I do not go out much on weekends because the city can be too crowded. But on days like this, the sun makes it worth it. The light changes everything. The sky looks bigger, people look happier, and even the streets feel kinder. After class I went to home via metro.
For me, photography is not only about taking pictures. It is about noticing. Today I noticed shadows, streets, food, tea, and quiet moments. And I turned them into images. That is why I love walking with a camera (or even just a phone). It helps me see my own day more clearly.