Between two perspectives: Istanbul in the echo of Ara Güler
Istanbul is not a subject – it is a story.
Anyone who walks through its streets with a camera encounters not just people and places, but a feeling. It was right here, between alleyways, bridges, and the Bosphorus, that Ara Güler was at home: the eye of Istanbul, the chronicler of everyday life, who sealed the memory of this city with his images.
His lens wandered from the narrow streets of Balat to the damp walls of Ayvansaray; from the shadows of Galata to the morning mist of Karaköy. Each image was not just a scene, but a testament to a time when dignity and poverty, tranquility and chaos, light and history existed side by side. For decades.
Photography by Ara Güler
Today we walk the same paths – yet through a different Istanbul.
The streets of Fener, the markets, the Galata Bridge, Eminönü… all of this is still a stage, but the actors have changed. In today's images, we encounter speed, facelessness, digital distractions. The question remains: What do we see – and what do we overlook?
This is precisely where this four-day workshop comes in.
He invites us not just to photograph Istanbul, but to truly experience it. With minimal equipment, light-footed, open to chance encounters and fleeting moments. We move through teahouses and galleries, bazaars and promenades, across bridges, squares, and ferries – through those spaces where Güler once found his stories and where new stories are now being created.
Led by Leica photographer Selim Say and accompanied by co-coach and guide Gökhan Arer, we sharpen our eye for situations, light, and atmosphere. We learn to see the meaning emerging in scenes, to recognize fleeting moments, and to hear the dialogue with the past amidst the chaos of the present.
Photography by Gökhan Arer
The Istanbul-based street photographer is one of the leading figures in the street photography scene of Istanbul and, following a concept by Selim Say for Leica photographers, guides us through the Istanbul that Ara Güler preserved – and the one that we are rediscovering today.
The main program points at a glance:
1. Four-day program consisting of theoretical and practical parts on street and documentary photography in Istanbul.
2. Four days, four zones of the city, which not only offer countless motifs, but also allow you to discover the city from a wide variety of perspectives.
3. At the end of the day, review of the recordings and image discussion.
4. Personal travel briefing with the group of participants before departure for coordination and detailed discussion.
Accommodation and travel logistics
Flights, transfers and accommodation can be booked individually or (recommended) organized through a partner travel agency.
The advantage: Perfect coordination of flight and transfer times. One-stop travel service. Transfer between airport and hotel with a reliable driver (VIP van).
Special rate for single and double rooms through group deal at a 5-star hotel in the Beyoglu/Tersane district and shared base (depending on number of guests/nights (occupancy type, etc.))
The earlier the participants are confirmed, the cheaper the conditions for flights and accommodation.
Inquiries and booking
For inquiries and information regarding all details, please subscribe to the Leica Newsletter (starting in January 2026), visit the Leica Store Frankfurt, or contact Selim Say by email.