Ara Güler

[mecrox]

Is anyone familiar with the work of the Turkish photographer (and Magnum member) Ara Güler who died in 2018 aged 90? Perhaps everyone? He is best known for his photographs of Istanbul and its street life in the 1950s and 1960s but he turned his hand to other things - press, portraits, reportage, etc. Some of his later image-making could be accused of a helping of Doisneau-like set up and sentimentality but imho the best of his work especially his earlier work among regular folks, factory workers, farmers and so on is extremely powerful. Another high-contrast stylist. IIRC, there is a documentary about his life and work on Amazon Prime.

 A few links:

https://www.lensculture.com/articles/ara-guler-lost-istanbul-1950s-and-60s
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/18/obituaries/ara-guler-dead.html
https://www.bjp-online.com/2018/10/qa-ara-guler-photographer-1928-2018/
https://www.magnumphotos.com/newsroom/ara-guler-1928-2018/

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ara+guler&tbm=isch&hl=en-gb&chips=q:ara+guler,g_1:photography:QbThsEuL_z0%3D&client=safari&prmd=inv&hl=en-GB&ved=2ahUKEwi2rf_6vLboAhXXwYUKHb-oAgYQ4lYoAHoECAEQCg&biw=768&bih=954

[Cem]

Having been born and raised in Istanbul myself, I have known his work ever since I started taking photographs in the early 1970's. As a matter of fact, he has been a great source of inspiration to me. Thanks for bringing his work to our attention.

[RSL]

Love it. A guy who understands what photography really is for.