On Location in Istanbul with Joe McNally

Istanbul has been the capital of civilization during several empires - the Byzantine/Roman and the Ottoman. The city is such an extraordinary place where east meets west and the three seas washing the peninsula (The Golden Horn, the Sea of Marmara and the Bosporus) separate the Old City (Stanboul), from the 'new' (Beyoglu) and Europe from Asia. Between the architecture, the culture, the historic and UNESCO sites, the food and lovely inhabitants, Istanbul is a paradise for photographers. A walk through the city is a journey for the senses with dazzling colors, hypnotic sounds and the streets are filled with the alluring scent of spices and Turkish coffee.

We will spend a week exploring the city, cameras in hand. Starting at the Topkapi Palace, the private residence of the Ottoman Sultans, and the harems, we'll also venture to the subterranean Basilica Cisterna and the Byzantine gem, Hagia Sophia, both constructed around 532AD. We'll photograph the hand painted tiles of Blue Mosque and her 6 soaring miniarets as well as the Romanesque Galata Tower. And the markets- between the colors and the smells of the Spice Market and the 3000+ shops of world famous Grand Bazaar, your eyes (and wallets!) will be in overdrive! We'll also spend an afternoon traversing the narrow Bosporus, the continental boundary of Europe and Asia. A final morning in Uskudar, on the Asian side will round out our week.

 

Photography Workshop

DATES | 7 DAYS

Group 1 

September 2 - 8, 2023  SOLD OUT

Group 2

September 9 - 15, 2023   SOLD OUT/WAITLIST AVAILABLE

PRICE

Participant Rate: $5845 per person

Companion Rate: $2800  (staying in the same room)

WHAT'S INCLUDED?
  • Accommodations for 6 nights
  • On location classes, demos, and assistance in the field
  • 5 Classes/edit & critique sessions
  • 2 Dinners
  • 1 Lunch
  • 5 Breakfasts
  • Some local transportation
  • Travel, landscape, architecture, and people photography 
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED?
  • Round trip airfare to and from Istanbul
  • Transportation to and from airport
  • Excursions for Companions (though we will happily help with suggestions and arrangements)
  • Additional nights before or after the start and finish of the Workshop
  • Travel Insurance
  • Some meals
OUR LOCATIONS
  • The Topeka Palace
  • The Galata Tower
  • Basilica Cisterna
  • The Blue Mosque
  • The Hagia Sophia
  • The Markets of Moda
  • The Bosporus River
  • The Grand Bazaar
  • The Spice Market
OUR HOTEL

We will be staying in the Old City at the Orientbank Hotel (or similar) part of the Autograph Collection.

WHO IS THIS WORKSHOP RIGHT FOR?
  • Amateur, enthusiast, and semi-pro photographers looking to build their portfolio
  • Photographers who love travel and learning about other cultures
  • There will be a fair amount of street shooting in the workshop
  • DSLR, mirrorless, compact camera users
TRAVEL INSURANCE

We strongly suggest you purchase travel insurance for your trip. Aside from medical care, travel insurance can protect you in the case of lost or stolen luggage, equipment, and personal effects, trip cancellation, personal liability, funeral expenses (we don't mean to sound morbid, but dying overseas can be very, very expensive), emergency dental treatment and evacuation back to your country of residence. All that being said, please read the policy carefully (especially the exclusions) to make sure that it covers what you will need, especially trip cancellation. 

HOW DO I REGISTER?

We provide personalized service and you can sign up for a workshop by emailing us directly at liza@lizapoliti.com

Sign Up Here

About Joe McNally

Joe McNally is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning photographer whose prolific career includes assignments in 70 countries. McNally won the first Alfred Eisenstaedt Award for Journalistic Impact for a LIFE coverage titled, “The Panorama of War.” He has been honored numerous times by Communication Arts, PDN, Graphis, American Photo, POY, and The World Press Photo Foundation. A contributor to National Geographic magazine for more than two decades, Joe has published numerous cover stories, including "The Future of Flying" (December 2003). His assignments have taken him from the heart of India's Diwali celebrations to the deserts of the Middle East to China's Great Wall. He regularly writes a popular, occasionally irreverent blog (joemcnally.com/blog) about the travails, tribulations, oddities and high moments of being a photographer. On social media: @joemcnallyphoto.

WEATHER SUNRISE/SUNSET

September – Temps 70/80 F    

Sunrise 6:30am | Sunset 7:30pm 

TRAVEL INFO

Airport: Istanbul (IST)

Airport transfer via taxi to Istanbul takes about 45 minutes.

FUN FACTS

The Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world with 60 streets and more than 3,000 shops. It attracts between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. 

Istanbul had 1400 public toilets around the city during the times of the Ottoman Empire while the rest of Europe had none.

Istanbul has had several different names in the past, including Byzantium, Constantinople, Stamboul and Tsarigrad.