The Eye of Istanbul: Ara Guler 

Ara Guler is recognized as one of Turkey's most famous photographers and an unforgettable figure who recorded the cultural and social memory of Istanbul. Guler, of Armenian descent, began his career as a photojournalist in the 1950s, working for international publications such as Time-Life and Paris Match. Guler photographed people, cities and especially the historical texture of Istanbul from an aesthetic point of view, producing works that highlight him as a storyteller.

Ara Guler's interest in Istanbul is evident in his photographs immortalizing the changing face of the city. In the photographs he has taken since the 1950s, he reveals the historical texture, streets and daily life of Istanbul. Documenting every corner from the fishermen on the shores of the Bosphorus to the old bridges and narrow streets of the historical peninsula, Guler captured the simple and mystical atmosphere of Istanbul at that time. Beyond being an archive of the city's history, these photographs offer viewers a nostalgic journey, documenting Istanbul's cosmopolitan identity and the rapid changes it has undergone, creating a bridge between the city's past and present.

These images, which have both artistic and historical value and capture the spirit and aesthetics of Istanbul, continue to leave indelible traces in the memory of the world today. Guler continues to be a source of inspiration for everyone who seeks to understand the spirit of Istanbul by offering a deep emotional and aesthetic perspective on the city.