Turkey is a photographer’s dream.
Situated at the crossroads of the Middle East and Europe, with interesting geography, architecture and people, there are many beautiful and unique things to photograph. Although we saw the most famous places – Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus – I am left wanting more. I want to return to the eastern half of this Texas-sized country and see places off the beaten path. I am sure I will go back soon.
Below are my 10 favorite photos from our recent trip and a poll where you can vote for your favorite. Voting for your favorite is like comparing apples and oranges, or landscapes, people and mosques, to me more specific. Obviously #10 is the clearly the best, but please don’t everyone vote for it.
After voting, let me know which photo is your favorite and why in the comments section. Comments make me happy.
1. Galata Bridge Fisherman
Galata Bridge was my favorite place in Istanbul. The double-decker bridge has cafes, bars and restaurants down below and is full of pedestrians, cars and combat fishing on top.
After four dreary, rainy days, the sun finally came out and we were rewarded with this stunning sunset. I feel like everything came together for this shot: the fisherman to the left turned to face the camera, the ferries are in the right place in the water and of course the sun and clouds cooperated.
2. Blue Mosque Interior
I really like mosques. The architecture, the minarets and colorful details are purely exotic, and the Blue Mosque was one of the coolest I’ve visited. The interior walls are covered in intricate designs; the entire structure is art.
3. Turkish Girls in a Park
I like how the the two girls have such genuine, pretty smiles and how along with their mother, are amused by something off screen. It vaguely reminds me of the famous Spanish painting “Two Women at a Window” (see footnote). I also like how iPhones transcend culture as the young girl is fixated by her phone, oblivious to what is going on around her.
4. Mt. Erciyes
The rugged, whimsical landscapes of hoodoos, caves, ravines and arches that make up Cappadocia are a result of ancient lava flows from Mt. Erciyes.
5. Galata Bridge Sunset
The classic Istanbul sunset from the Galata Bridge.
6. Hoodoos in Cappadocia
Hiking among the otherworldly penis rocks hoodoos, pillars and spires in Cappadocia, I was able to get many excellent photos. It isn’t difficult: raise camera, press button. I like this one because it provides a little different perspective than normal.
7. Hot Air Balloons over Cappadocia
Sometimes in life, it is worth waking up an hour before sunrise and hiking up a steep hill in the freezing cold. At one time I counted about 70 balloons in the sky over Cappadocia. I would have loved to have taken a ride, but I would have fallen out of the balloon to certain death. That is a fact.
8. Hot Air Balloon
The more skilled hot air balloon pilots can maneuver between the hoodoos, canyons and cliffs. This balloon dropped down into a canyon and rose up right next to me. I thought about doing some James Bond move and hopping on for a free ride.
9. Aya Sofya and Fountain at Night
The Aya Sofya and the Blue Mosque are only a few hundred meters apart from each other, separated by a park and fountain. The park was crowded with tourists by day, but surprisingly empty at night with spitting rain and freezing wind.
10. Pamukalle Bride
Pamukalle is a land of strange landscapes and even stranger tourists. I really don’t know what to say about this photo. It renders me speechless.
Note: I got the idea for the this post and the poll from krahnpix.com, an entertaining wildlife photography blog that you should be reading.
Footnote: Of all the famous paintings in the world, I am most familiar with “Two Women at a Window.” I have examined this photo an estimated 5,000 times. Why, you might ask? A copy was mounted over the urinal at a golf course where I worked and played for many years.
Planet Bell 
great photos 🙂 and great country 🙂
Thank you.
Turkey is beautiful, I can’t wait to go there someday. Number 10 is hilarious!
It is beautiful. I am glad you liked #10.
It’s all about making you happy so …
I do recall 10 and it is tempting but I’m going with 4 – I love that solo mountain in the background. Thanks for the shout out.
Thank you for not choosing #10 so the others will feel better. I like number 4 also – that was a beautiful day.
They are all beautiful .. number 10 is hilarious .. but I choose #9. The color, the water movement and serenity of background is amazing!
Thank you Marilyn. I like that one also. That was one of my favorite evenings in Istanbul because a storm had just passed through and I had the place to myself.
The light on rocks is fantastic – amazing number of balloons
That was one of the best moments of my trip. It was such a perfect sunrise – it was worth waking up early for it.
Only 1? I wanted to vote for the “penis rocks” too LOL.
Great shots.
You can vote for more than one. I will allow that.
I loved the footnote as well.
I am glad you liked that.
#10 rocks for just the sheer randomness of it. Photobombing without intending to be.
But #6 is the best I think.
It is interesting to me that #6 is currently in 2nd place. I thought some of the others were better, but I guess it is a cool shot. Thanks for voting and commenting.
I just realized I had a typo. It’s actually #7. The hot air balloons.
All good stuff though.
I like that one also. I had a few of the same view with different light but I choose that one as the sun started to illuminate the rocks.
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Beautiful pictures!!
Magnificate. Incredible. I love these. Thank you!
Thank you very much.
..beautyful pictures…
Amazing pics.
Absolutely great photos, Jeff! I love the Turkish Girls in the Park, but I always come back to the Pamukalle Bride! Congrats on the FP – you totally rocked it again! 🙂 ~Terri
Terri – Thank you. I like the girls in the park also. I was lucky enough to capture an interesting moment.
mindblowing
Wow, some fantastic photograph, such stunning scenery.
Turkey is a beautiful place. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Beautiful! I am going there for the first time in Spring – and now I’m more excited than ever after seeing your photos!
It is an amazing place. You will love it. Where are you visiting?
awesome! I’m heading to Turkey for 10 days in April so this gives me a good start
You will love it. Where are you planning to visit?
No idea yet, except that I will be staying with a friend in Istanbul. Would like to do a daytrip or 2 out of the city. Getting in one of those balloons seems like a pretty awesome idea
Stunning Photography! Turkey has been top of my bucket list for a while now, thanks for bringing it to my screen today 🙂
For the record, I voted numer 7. Those floating hot air balloons just look so peaceful.
I like that one a lot also. That was one of the best moments of the trip. Thanks for reading and voting!
that looks amazing!
Thank you.
amazing….
The photos of the sunset, including the hot air balloon photo are beautiful, so vivid, so bright, so vibrant and powerful, I really loved the sunset and hot air balloon photos.
Alex
-Photography | Nature
Alex, the hot air balloons were so photogenic it was hard not to take a nice photo! That was a pretty cool experience seeing those rise up above Cappadocia.
Well I must admit, your photos are actually really good, and are really professional. I was wondering, what make of camera do you use 😊?
fantastic
They’re all great, but there is something about the first one that I really like 🙂
Jennifer – the first one is my favorite. There is a lot going on with the fishermen, ferry boats, sunset, etc. but I don’t feel like it is cluttered. Thanks for commenting.
The lighting in number 8 is beautiful.
Thank you, I took about six photos in a row of the same shot but the light from the flame of the hot air balloon illuminated everything just right and added more vibrant color than the other photos.
Since you made us choose, I decided I liked #6 the best, for its unique angle and great color contrasts. I also liked No. 1 a lot for its subtle colors and interesting foreground and background.
#6 is a bit of a unique perspective of the hoodoos and I think the sun adds a sense of heat and drama. But #1 is my personal favorite. Thanks for voting and commenting!
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I agree about the mosques being pieces of art. Turkey is a beautiful place–and has incredible food to boot!
My two biggest surprises were the food and the friendliness of the people. We ate well there.
Mosques are so cool. I love visiting them. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Beautiful photos!
Gracious & amazing….
Great shots!
Beautiful photos! Keep up the amazing work 🙂
Thank you!
Just wonderful. I voted for Aya Sofya and almost the Galata Bridge and those marvelous colors. So glad I saw this.
Thank you for voting. I was lucky to get both shots as we had pretty horrible weather in Istanbul. I got the Aya Sofya photo in between rain storms one night!
Great Pics!! I had a friend in high school who visited her family from Turkey every summer. She would always go on about how beautiful it is there, I hope I get there one day. Again, good stuff!!
Thank you. It is a great country, especially the people. Make sure to go someday!
Visual treat to the eyes and a beautiful country indeed.
Thank you!
great shots… 🙂
Thanks to Photographers who save these shot for all of us …. great memories..
You are welcome. Thank you for commenting and reading.
really nice pictures…i myself have been to turkey…..well saw only istanbul… but did so thouroughly…one and a half months…It seriously a stunner… East meets West…lovely and vibrant city 🙂
Wow! One month in Istanbul would be a great way to get to know the city. We spent about a week there and grew to like it, but we had such terrible weather at first it was hard to enjoy! Thank you for reading and commenting!
Oh! i went there in summers….june-july…. weather’s good during this time 🙂
love the blue mosque.. its my wish to visit it
The Blue Mosque was my favorite place in Istanbul.
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Wonderful pictures. Want to visit Turkey!
Turkey should be high on everyone’s list. I hope you get to go soon.
Amazing photos from my country! Glad you liked here, the interior of Blue Mosque is my fav!
Hi Rana – We had a great time in Turkey and I really want to return someday. The Blue Mosque is so beautiful it is hard not to take a good photo!
Wow, amazing photos! Loved the 1st and 5th one more!
*Mridubala*
http://yourstoryclub.com/short-stories-suspense-thriller/suspense-short-story-passing/
The 1st one is my favorite. Everything came together for that one.
Thank you for commenting!
🙂 It would be great if you could drop at my story FOREVER.
NB:ONLY if you don’t mind. 🙂
Thank you for sharing these great pics of Turkey..It is such a wonderful country well worth a visit!
Yes it is. I thought the friendliness and openness of the people was the best part.
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Some great pictures of Turkey I just had to share with you! If you would like more information on holidays or weekend breaks to Turkey please contact me
Nice shots! I love the one with the hot air balloons.
Thank you. I like that show also – a classic scene in Cappadocia.
Incredible indeed.
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awesome photos
Thank you!