About this Interview: This is an interview that we did with Mr. Izzet Keribar in 2005 in Istanbul (The interview was done as part of the work that we did for our tchayat magazine). Back then, there was no Instagram or Facebook to share photos like we do today; so we wanted to share this interview to help to learn from one of Turkey's most famous photographers. Nowadays, anybody with a smartphone can be a photographer if they know how to take a proper photo. Izzet Keribar was born in 1936 to a prosperous family in Istanbul and had a good education, can speak seven languages. (Turkish, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Greek). Mr. Keribar, who has started photography in 1953, states that 1980 was the year which he considers as a second birth of photography. Honored by the International Photography Federation and many other awards, Mr. Keribar has traveled worldwide to capture the most fascinating photos even till today. tchayat: How does it feel to look from the viewfinder to the life and what does it bring to you? Izzet Keribar: Looking to the life through the viewfinder making me so excited. I take not only what I want but also take what my customers want. Someday, this maybe a hospital or a photographer's collections. When I take a photo I feel as if I have been tested every time. The thing that was making me excited is the anxiety about how can I do the better one. When we go on a trip, everyone says that we should take a guide for a trip to get more detailed information about historical sites. A photographer doesn't have a time to listen the guide. I take the guide book and read it at home. When I am looking to the world through my viewfinder, I am in a trance. My heart beats, my walking, everything is changing. To experience the photo, you need to feel it. Before I go to the bed in the evening, I say that happily I will take pictures tomorrow. I hope my health will allow me and I can continue to this for a few more years. tchayat: What is the place of photography in your life? Izzet Keribar: I am oriented towards art from birth. I have in trading all my life, but I have never been a salesman. Maybe I could be an antiquarian, historian or architect, but I was not created for being a salesman. Photography pushes you to focus and make effort to make something perfect. When your devotion, love and talents are combined, you can make a progress. Photography teaches us the ways to produce always the better for a lifetime. I noticed something since the first day that I have started photography. You can gain the love of people by taking photos. I was an officer during my military service. Senior officers wondered how I could take better photos than them. Eventually, this conversation would form a friendship. This is valid not only for military service, but also at every stage of the life. Photography opens many doors to you (provides many opportunities to you). You make friends from different circles. It is very important to gain the sympathy of people. tchayat: What are the basic conditions for taking a good photo? Izzet Keribar: You have to go out to take a good photo. For example, you will not take photos from the window while on the bus. Everyone is taking pictures. Seriousness is the real difference between a photographer and a non-photographer. An experienced brain directs you after a certain period of time; I can tell when there is a photo or not. There was a synagogue photo-shoot this morning. I started thinking about what I can do differently here today. It is necessary to sit and think at a certain time. You will sit for 10 minutes, this time is not wasted, you see everything and synthesize. You are waiting for the conditions to occur; you can see different angles and unexpected things. I said this time, I will pull it from the outside. It will be dark outside, a light from inside will say come to me. It is brilliant, like an invitation to enter. One should think about the composition and approach it that way. For example, they asked me to take a photo for the Kozmopolitan magazine in Cem Boyner's exhibition. I went through books on how to take portraits of famous people and took notes on how well-known photographers use light. The next day, from the notes, I wondered how I could adapt these light situations. This is not a copy; we are inspired by other artists. Maybe they can be inspired by me someday. This sequence continues like this. tchayat: How do you see digital photography? Izzet Keribar: Digital photography has also been such an important change. In the 1800s and 1840s, the painters said "this will make us to lose our jobs." Some took it seriously, some didn’t but a new branch was born: photography. Digital machines have also revolutionized. It was expected that this would happen after the 90s, but it was said that it would take more time. In 30 years from the 1960-70s until the 90s, cameras changed, zooms were made, lenses became better quality, exquisite cameras, the speed of flashes were very good, but suddenly such a rapid revolution was not expected. I am very pleased that we started this business and we can produce much more serious results. All our customers are very satisfied. Nostalgically, I continue with the old machines. I definitely use my other machine on my Anatolian trips, and there are also large format machines that are not mentioned here. tchayat: You are a person who comes from business oriented family. What would you recommend to business people? What should they do when starting photography? Izzet Keribar: I can suggest many things. It is necessary to love what you do and to respect your work. Being greedy is a very bad thing. I've seen super photographers for these 30 years. They suddenly disappeared, they hate photography so much, and they don’t do it again. I believe in the opposite. All failures should actually be seen as the basis for future success. Your one failure is a lesson. If you take it as a lesson, you will see that you are not failing in the future. To do this, you have to reach a certain maturity level. I think it is necessary to believe that being able to appear in any field in today's world will not be in the short term. Competition is too high, you have to be patient. Digesting the success of others is also a matter of experience. Photography gives you the opportunity to approach very well. Because you share that excitement with other people while taking pictures. When your photos win awards, it creates incredible happiness and your name and gives you the joy to continue in this path.