Who We Are

As Istanbul Candid Street Photographers, with the power we gain from the synergy that arises from our differences, we want to make our mark in world photography with the moments we capture from the colors, light, and melodic emotions of this geography, and to represent our country with the footprint we leave behind.

Our mission is to bring our country’s street photography to the international level and at the same time to become one of the reference points of street photography in Turkey.

Our approach to photography also reflects our view of life. Our approach to photography is based on the belief that the truth is too extraordinary, simple and complex to be fictionalized, and at the same time beautiful.

We are the runners of a never-ending marathon who have been loving and respecting each other for a long time, running after extraordinary moments in the chaos and unpredictability of the city, in the pursuit of extraordinary moments in mediocrity.

Ufuk Akarı

I absolutely love color photography, and I think it’s probably because of my passion for painting. The photograph I’m following is an ‘organic’ street photograph, based on the power of intuitive observation, taken unedited and improvised, without informing the subject.

Ever since I realized that photography captures the moments of life, it’s been my absolute passion, like a wildfire that consumed me.

I’m not complaining though, because I feel like I’m living life as I want.

I’m always after the photographs where content and form are captured at the same time.

The challenge of finding the right photograph in an unplanned setting is also what drives me.

Street is life itself; photography is a moment distilled from life.

My photography journey has been filled with amazing experiences, like my joint photo show with Tufan Kartal in 2006, the Viva Cuba photo show in 2009, the Complex Istanbul photo show in 2011, and founding the Turkuazstreet photo collective in 2012. In 2013, I did the This Revolution is a Wonder, My Friend photo show, and in 2016, I was part of the Fotoistanbul Gentrification/Gentrification show. I also had the pleasure of taking part in the Bursa Fotofest from 2016 to 2024. He’s been a great help to so many people and groups, like being the project and book advisor for Term Group (2017), the Ifsak street photography group’s advisor (2019, 2020), and the Bize Her Yer Fotoğraf project and exhibition with Anafod (2023). He’s also been a big supporter of the Istanbul Candid street group (2023).