Istanbul Grand Bazaar — Spice Route
799.00 $
The Mısır Çarşısı Spice Bazaar of Istanbul photographed in morning light — the arched passages lined with conical spice mountains, the shopkeepers in mid-conversation, the ancient vaulted architecture above.
Description
The Mısır Çarşısı — Egyptian Bazaar or Spice Market — was constructed in 1664 and has traded in spices, herbs, dried fruits, and confectionery continuously for 360 years. Its vaulted stone passages, dark and cool in the Beyoğlu summer heat, create a photographic environment of great character — the arched ceiling channelling the light from the entrance in a way that illuminates the spice displays while leaving the upper architecture in atmospheric shadow. This photograph was made at market opening time — 8:30am — when the first low-angle eastern light enters the main passage and the early traders are in their characteristic pre-customer arrangement and conversation. The conical displays of Turkish red pepper, turmeric, sumac, and dried mint create a warm colour palette. The image required one hour of presence before the principal photograph was made — the result of patient observation that allowed the traders to normalise the photographer’s presence.
