Istanbul At Night
Cities always have a different feel at night. Some, like Naples, can be intimidating when you first set out in the dark, but also show their quirky side.
Istanbul lights up its most famous monuments, the Hagia Sofia and the Blue Mosque, which makes photos at dusk and dark tempting. So tempting we were willing to pay for overpriced drinks on our first night just to sit outside on a rooftop bar with a great view.
No, I have no idea why it’s there. I looked it up and it gets horrible reviews, but then again, why would anyone eat at a Mexican chain restaurant in Istanbul?
There was a full moon while we were there. Both David and I tried to get a photo of the moon itself but were unsuccessful. David took the photo above and the lower moon is a reflection in the camera lens. Oddly enough, that’s the one with the detail of the moon’s surface.
Each time before a trip I tell myself I will take more night photos and each time it’s a struggle to get that perfect shot. I really need to have a tripod, but I just can’t be bothered to carry one. This time I brought a monopod but frankly I’m not sure it was worth the weight because I never carried it. Do you carry a tripod? What are your tricks for good night shots?
17 Comments
Shelby
I loved Istanbul! And, it’s so much fun to see your picture of graffiti…. that city had the best graffiti! (Sounds odd, I guess, unless you’ve been there!!!!).
wired2theworld
Yes Shelby, the graffiti was pretty cool. I like the stencil graffiti in Rome too.
Lynn
I agree that tripods can be cumbersome and hate carrying them as well. What I do is improvise and use something else to stabilize the camera and act as a tripod: a railing, a trash can, a barricade in the middle of the street! I just set the camera on it, compose the shot and (this is key!) set the auto timer. No touching the camera = no camera shake = (hopefully) no blurry photo! BTW, your night view of the Bosphorus from Residence La Vue is lovely. I’m really enjoying traveling through Turkey with you and look forward to more!
wired2theworld
Lynn, I’ve done exactly that (set the camera on something and used the auto timer) and it does work. I guess the advantage to a tripod is when there’s nothing to set the camera on.
walkingon travels
You seriously brought a little happy into my day with these pictures. And I agree with Lynn. Improvise and find something to just set the camera on. I can’t tell you how many times my tripod has sat in the hotel and I regret hauling it around the world.
wired2theworld
Yes, that’s my fear; that the tripod will sit in the hotel!
Lhizzie
I have never been to Istanbul and I think there are a lot of people who want to come there and have a great experience visiting a great place..
Myra
Lovely photos!
Kent @ No Vacation Required
Makes me want to go even more. Reminds me of the struggles we had in Prague, wanting to take decent pictures at night but facing so many obstacles.
By the way, I bet those drinks were worth it with that view 🙂
wired2theworld
Kent, I had a hot chocolate and it definitely came from a packet. 🙁 But yes, the views were incredible!
Diane
Beautiful pics, I hope to get to Turkey someday!
jenny@atasteoftravel
I love your shots of Istanbul – one of my favourite cities. It never ceases to amaze me how many people are always in Istikal Kaddesi at night! I’m hopeless at night shots so hubby recently bought me a gorillapod! I don’t know if you’ve seen one but it’s a small flexible mini tripod that I’m hoping will be the start of better night photography. At least it’s got more chance of coming on a trip!
wired2theworld
Yes, I’ve seen the gorillapod. They’re pretty cool, but have short legs so they still have to be set on something, or wrapped around something. Also, I think they work better with a point and shoot than with a DSLR, or you have to have the biggest one to support the weight of a DSLR. But please let me know how you like it. I’m willing to consider one because they are smaller in general.
Nomadic Samuel
You’ve done a brilliant job capturing Istabul at night. I’ve been itching to visit for a while but now I feel a burning desire.
wired2theworld
Samuel- Thanks! We absolutely loved it there and would return in a heartbeat. If you do go, check back, I’ve got a lot more on Turkey in future posts!
Born27
My god! You have no idea how bad I want to come to Turkey and your photos make Istanbul so beautiful. Thanks for sharing this with us1 Love it!
Lenore Shefman
Kristina, love your blog. Had no idea you just left Istanbul. Sharon told me to read up on you and David’s visit and glad I did, hopefully Sharon will give me the low down on good eats etc. if you have any ideas please throw them up on the blog….