55. INTERNATIONAL BURSA FESTIVAL WITH MY VOLUNTEER PHOTOGRAPHY

First of all, I would like to introduce this festival shortly. This festival organized by Bursa Culture Art And Tourism Foundation & Bursa Metropolitan Municipality also some sponsor companies in Bursa. This year, 55. International Bursa Festival was made it between 16 May to 04 June 2016.

As every year, this festival was fantastic. I saw many bands. Local or foreigners it doesn't matter for me or for people because we had a good time and enjoyed. Also it was my first photography job as volunteer, you know festival photographer is really difficult job. Do you know, why? Low lights, big stage and many audience. Really hard to take photos in low lights if you don't have high model photo camera so I have beginner professional photo camera but took really good shoots! Other side, I'd like  to tell bands who came this festival, 

16 May 2016 - Bursa Region State Symphony Orchestra & Klazz Brothers Cuba Percussion: First time I saw together and they made really good different music, just imagine symphony and latin music together, It was amazing.

17 May 2016 - Imany: Who is a really fantastic singer! Her all songs are so beautiful, especially ''You will never know'' that song is my favourite! Many audience were accompanied to her songs and danced.

20 May 2016 - Dansın Rengi (The color of the dance) Istanbul State Opera and Ballet:  This group's show was so short but great. I don't know why actually also some audiences was asking to each other why they made short time show. Anyway even short, people enjoyed with them. I hope next time they will a little more long show.

22 May 2016 - Çakırcalı Efe / Izmir State Opera and Ballet: I was so impressed them; Dances, songs, clothes, shows, acting, performances and especially moods of this show. Çakırcalı efe who was one of the most important ''Efe'' It means brave, strong, hero etc. They played really well.

24 May 2016 - Incognito: When I saw their name first time, asked my self, what is that mean? Incognito? According to my research, it means about clothes but traditional clothers. I am note sure if it is true or not. Their music style is Acid Jazz and old music band. Band's founder Mr Maunick at the beginning of each song, explain some world and politic issues. He always said ''peace and love'' I think we need more this at the moment so I did respect them their music and ideas.

25 May 2016 - Monika Bulanda: I have never heard her name in Turkey or abroad. She knows speak Turkish and living in Istanbul since 2008 Her music style pop music. Other side she is an artist and make unique paintings.

29 May 2016 - Gazino Show: Several of old famous Turkish singer came together and they showed their amazing stage performances. Their names: Neşe Karaböcek, Seçil Heper, Seyyal Taner, Semiha Yankı, Nur Yoldaş, Ercan Turgut, Ersan Erdura, İskender Doğan and Bilgen Bengü. These singers age between sixty and seventy years old and they still didn't lost their voices so this case is really incredible.

30 May 2016 - Fuat Saka / Niyazi Koyuncu / Karmate: Well these three group ( or singer) from Blacksea region and they make blacksea traditional music. Let's start first Karmate, that's a blacksea traditional music band also Karmate means ''mill''. Second, Fuat Saka, who is a Turkish singer, arranger and guitarist. Third, Niyazi Koyuncu, who is brother of famous Turkish singer ''Kazım Koyuncu'' Niyazi's sound so same Kazım Koyuncu, maybe you don't know but Kazım passed away because of cancer and then his brother Niyazi Koyuncu decided to continue to sing songs.

31 May 2016 - Aşkın Nur Yengi / Harun Kolçak: Harun Kolçak one of the Turkish pop singers of the 90s. I have never seen him live and first time I saw him in this festival. Maybe he is getting older but still he has a strong voice. When I was a child in 90s, I was watching him in some music channel. He had a curly hair. Other singer ''Aşkın Nur Yengi'' who is a Turkish singer and actress I will say same thing for this artist. Strong voice, beauty and fantastic performance.

01 June 2016 - Candan Erçetin: One of my favourite Turkish singer ever. What a voice, what a beauty, She has still red hair. Also she is songwriter and teacher. In addition she is making really good music with her stance. Just sit and watch her, when she on stage, she looks like so relax and communicating to audiences.

02 June 2016 - The Dire Straits Experience: This is not orginal The Dire Straits, it's like tribute band but I can say; voices, guitars, drum and keyboard sounds same The Dire Straits old sound. Many times ago orginal Dire Straits were divided unfortunately. I really liked them also audiences really enjoyed. They stayed on stage approximately two hours maybe a lit more.

04 June 2016 - İlhan İrem: Many people said same thing. ''Finally he comes to back his home''. So İlhan İrem who is the one of the old greatest Turkish singer ever. He didn't come to Bursa over 30 years and final of festival for İlhan İrem. So why is this singer most important for everyone? You know if you listen good music and gives you feel, you will say ''yes he/she is my singer''. So that's why we love him too much. Can you imagine, he didn't back to Bursa over 30 years... We saw him for the first time. Stage direction, music, guitar sounds, drum, keyboard, wind instrument etc. Everything were fantastic. After concert, I took a photo with him, probably this photo will be in my life but other side, many fans of İlhan İrem were waiting see him and they waited him about two hours... Finally they saw him and a few audiences were signed their vinyl,cd or cassette archives to İlhan İrem.

 

Consequently, I would like to big thank Bursa Culture Art and Tourism Foundation for made this festival also Mustafa Çokran who is this festival's manager and promoter. I got a really big festival photographer experience through Bursa Culture Art and Tourism Foundation to myself.

BOLU PHOTOGRAPHY TRIP AND CAMP (YEDGIOLLER,CUBUK GOLU AND GOYNUK)

Hello again everyone! I haven't been a long time around here because I wanted stand apart from here. Anyway finally I 'm here with a new article!

First of all, I've been these three place for first time. Our trip tooks 2 days between 7-8 November 2015. As first, bus departured night 6 November at 23:30pm because travel takes 6-7 hours from Bursa. We were unlucky unfortunately because that time Bolu way was road work consequently travel was a little bit long also very narrow road and we went there by a big bus. I still can't believe how driver, drove that big bus and time was 05:00am and every second there was a fear in me. I wasn't sleeping these times also my eyes were opening and closing and tiredness but we arrived our camp place at Yedigöller in the end (witouth forgetting, I didn't stay at camp because didn't have any camp stuff and weather was cold). So where I stayed? Details are behind this article :=)

Well, when we arrived first Yedigöller, our friends who was finding a campground but it was hard to find it because everywhere was so crowded but they found a place! Some friends and me, we will go a village home. It was my first stayed at foreigner village place. I can say it kind of couchsurfing! Anyway, everyone settled to some corne and had a good breakfast with clean weather in autumn nature. After breakfast, our photography members had a shooting tours but an incredible crowd, I mean everywhere was photographer, childrens,youngs,matures and elders! I didn't think, this place would be amazing with its waterfalls, autumn leafs, clear weather and long trees! Our photographers were focus on their shooting works and our trainer Mr. Mustafa İpek, who was teaching some photography technics like ''long exposure, reflection, close-up shoot'' etc. Of course we were using this technics and discovering new photos. Approxiamately we worked on photography total 4-5 hours. Other friends who came there just camp, they were hiking and fun, also we had a fun time too.

After 18:00pm, everyone who was making dinner and dinner was sausage party but amazing taste and pure I mean natural.

It was looking so good. Wasn't it? After dinner, our trip members were together around fire and started sign songs also a person who is a singer at Turkish art or folk music I don't remember very well but she was so good when he sang songs, everyone accompanied to her. Everywhere campground was so crowded like I said and sound was coming all sides. Time was off for who will stay village at home also me. Twelve person went to a village home for stay. I have never been stay at village home with twelve person and other foreigner people. Accommodation was at Zonguldak's county, place was a little far away from Yedigöller likes 25 kilometers. The house host Mr Şafak and his wife who so interested in us, prepared good foods (dinner, breakfast) also good and clear sleep rooms. It was so strange but fun, I said strange because there were different people all over the house. Not only our members. After day stay, we ate an amazing breakfast and everyfoods
(cheeses,eggs,olives,village breads,biebers,natural and other types) were natural! Time is back to Yedigöller because we would leave from Yedigöller. After reaching Yedigöller, we were waiting other members because of going to Çubuk Gölü. Our Yedigöller trip finished and got in bus and started to second travel to Çubuk Gölü. It tooks a hour or two if I remember correctly.

Çubuk gölü was about composed of old mill and so quiet and calm place.
After photographing, time is leave from Çubuk Golu and go to last trip called Göynük. They were close to each other I mean It tooks a hour or half and hour. Göynük which kind of a village like Safranbolu if you saw there. My opinion is Göynük was good place, It likes old houses, and old houses. That's it. We stayed there for two hours with dinner time. First, we had dinner then took photos.

After a tiring trip, time to go back home! I love house word :=) Which means comfort :=). Return was simpler for us because we back to Bursa on Bolu road and I said you, when we came to Bolu, Bolu road had some problem and workers were working on same road but when we back, road opened and arrived Bursa earlier. I would like thank to my all of friends at Bakut! New trip are waiting for me! 

SANSARAK CANYON

Canyon, when I first heard it, I was thought it likes a dangerous place. Bakut (Bursa Seach & Rescue) had a hiking last sunday and I was there with Bakut but it wasn't for hiking, it was for take photos. Well, our meeting place was at a park for go there. Departure time of bus was 08:30 way will takes total two hours from Bursa to İznik county because ''sansarak canyon'' was at İznik. As approximately we were there like 10:45am. We had a small problem, like I said I have come there for take photos but everyone came there for hiking so I had to join them. We started to hiking at 11:00 from first etry.

As first, it was like easly but I was wrong because in the next racecourses are would be so hard. We were walking on small lake and jump to slippery stones. some hikers weren't walking because their were first time on hiking (like me).

I came unprepared to this event so I didn't get foods, waters etc.. I was hungry lot but Mrs.Necla and Mr.Eray who help to me as give me foods so it was awesome. 

Without forgetting, The hiking event's the best thing is definetely Bakut's ''musician'' Mr Nail (yellow t-shirt). When we have a breaktime, he was playing a like flute (I don't know this instrument's name).

Also some members were swimming on small lake but water was like dirty. Who cares, people were enjoying! They were really cool members, funny, crazy and youthful spirit.

We were still going on canyon and everyone were asking ''When will it finish!?'' Haha! Because members were like exhausted, especially new members (including me). I was feeling terrible because many times slip feet, legs, elbow and waist injured, 

Finally, we came to last part of hiking, Last part wasn't on lake, It was in trees and small way but so dangerous. If we hadn't attention our way, it could be fall on heavy stones. I didn' take photos on last part because like I said, everywhere was thicket and vision distance was so low. Anyway, eventually we finished canyon hiking and it took our eight hours. My all clothes were dirty and wet. On the one hand I was lucky for my photo camera, it was near me and safely. Hiking on canyon was my first experience, it was bad luch for my first time on my body but had fun.

So I would like to thank BAKUT FAMILY! We had a really good,dangerous and adrenalin time! 

SOGANLI BOTANIK PARK BREAKFAST VIA GORUKLE YOUTH CENTRE

First of all, I would like to explain Soganlı botanik park. That is totally peaceful environment for meet,breakfast,relaxing,cycling and many social things. Many photographers are taking photo in there for natural beauties, wedding, animals, kind of flowers or in other words ''The source of oxygen''. Our youth centre had a breakfast event in there last sunday also it was my first time was there. A month ago our centre's members was preparing this event and I was so lucky because that day was my holiday. Normally I am working shift time and sometimes I cannot join this social activities. We met at botanik like 10:00am and weather was so cloudly so we was thinking if there rain, how can we make this breakfast but rain didn't came and we got a sigh of relief. Anyway, everyone brought some foods

''cheeses,cookies,jam,breads,bagels and I don't remember another foods''. In addition definetely ''fruit juices'' for health. Girls were preparing breakfast and as we men, helped them. Finally started eat and many foods were on table also I was so hungry. In addition, we met new people and we were talking, laughing, singing song. Also we had two new person, Gökçe and Mervin. Gökçe is a exchange student and will stay in Bursa for a year. Another person Mervin is a worker. Mervin found our youth centre on website. Two friends were first met with our members. Two friends were so happy for met and fun. It was very nice to hear from them. I always say, when you meet new people, your  friends environment can grow and feel happy!

Without forgetting, we had a some foreigners from Algeria,Syria and Russia. It was pretty good breakfast for them because we saw them as so happy and crazy. I was satisfied for they came our event. Hasan who is my Syrian friend and normally we meet sometimes but other foreigners I didn't see them before so we met first time at breakfast and they are really so fun guys. I hope we will allow time for do some social things.

Do you know penguin dance? The dance style is coming from Balkan countries and so fun. Our members were dancing and it was so funny :). Especially this dance style is so popular at the moment and people are enjoying when they dance it.

Approximately 3 or 4 hours later, we started to cycling actually I didn't cycling because I was taking photos but other members were cycling. About cycling, you can rent it for a hour or more time. I was cycling between 5-10 minutes but I was tired because I wasn't cycling long time and felt like old person lol.

Lastly, I would like to thank who came to our breakfast event. I was so enjoyed and happy. I am sure we will more event because we need this! If you like our event, we will always be proud and happy. Alright then, see you our other events! Don't forget us! Bye!

CUMALIKIZIK VILLAGE TRIP VIA GORUKLE YOUTH CENTRE

As first I would like to explain ''Cumalıkızık village'' because which is so famous in Bursa from Turkey. Old houses and some films recorded in there. In fact when films recorded there and then the village was famous. So two weeks ago on sunday, our youth centre that is called ''Görükle Youth Centre'' had a trip at Cumalıkızık village. I was lucky because that day was my holiday and I went to there too. In addition, we had some little problems so I will explain it below on my articles. So now Our organizer prepared this trip and rented a minibus. When I got in minibus, I saw many people from our association and also some foreigners so I thought this trip would be awesome. Okay we started to travel but the big problem was our driver didn't know where are we going... We were a few minutes late but our new friend ''Neslihan'' Who knew way of Cumalıkızık so everyone took a sigh of relief but another problem was our organizer who made a reservation but we were late a few minutes so boss of a restaurant said her ''sorry we got a new group so your reservation canceled'' We were on way when we got this call. A few minutes our friends were shocked but then the problem was solved by boss again. Anyway, we arrived Cumalıkızık village finally and as first, we had so cool breakfast, warm bread, cheeses, jam, honey, olive, butter and I don't remember lots of breakfast varieties were on our table. We were really hungry...

After breakfast, we started to roam around of village and took more photos. I saw lots of traditional stuff of village like foods, dress, accessories, potteries etc. They hand made by local of village people.  Definetely they were awesome and many foreigners visit to village everyday. This is so important for us and terms of promotion. The first photo was about ''cin aralığı'' it means ''gin range'' we were stuck but took cool photos lol. Second photo was our crazy volunteers were making interview with video camera. Last two photos was about in village.

Of course without forgetting, people of Cumalıkızık village so supporter to animals as you see,

I have been in there second time and I would like to say, we don't know our city's beauties. We should share our city's beuties photos to world because we are living here. The trip was total between 5-6 hours so in this time we had a good time, met new friends, tried new foods, saw new places etc. I would like to say thanks Görükle Youth Centre and we are waiting new trips! 

ULUDAG MOUNTAIN TRIP VIA BOSCH

Everyone want to go Uludag because it is so popular mountain and proverbial. I haven't been in there before so my friends were asking me ''why didn't you go there before?'' I wasn't know why. When I started job at Bosch my life is changing by Bosch because its has many social activities for its all of workers. I have never seen which factories give these opportunities... Absolutely amazing and so helpful. Approximately three weeks ago in Bosch, I saw an announcement that was about trip in Uludag. I was so happy because it could be good trip for me so I have sent an e-mail to a person who was prepearing this organization for get information about trip. Two hours later answer has arrived me and day of trip was so good for me so I did registration also I am bring a friend with me so it was amazing news! Well, after that day I was looking a friend who comes with me so I shared an article that was about friend advertisement... It was so funny but what can I do...? I was waiting an answer from a girl but she didn't back me so it was so terrible but don't care.After that time, I found a friend who is my first and cool foreigner friend his name is Selim and he came from Algeria to Bursa for studying Mba of automotive. We have met before but through Bosch we met again for Uludag trip. December 29 that time came and we prepared ourselves to go cold place is Uludag! Also It has been our first trip in Uludag so we were really lucky. Busses would be done departure from factory and in there had total 3 bus. I thought ''many people will come'' And that was true! We went Uludag approximately with one hundred sixty-for or five people. So our trip started at 8:30am and we arrived Uludag mountain between in 1 or 1.5 hours. I can say weather was so cold! But amazing environment! After arrived there, we started to hiking but hiking was so hard and profit was higher. We walked total 2 hours and it was so hard and tiresome even in 2 hours I was thinking like can I live? Lol :=) Like I said, this trip was my first time to go Uludag and I didn't know there as well. After hiking, we had food time! The food was sausage between bread! I loved it because this food is so popular in Uludag mountain. So everyhing was ok and saw my colleagues in there also took many photos! In addition, this trip was hard but got so beutiful oxygen! Thanks!

 

BOSCH PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB

Everyone have hobbies and these things are so useful so my first hobby club that is called Photography Club of Bosch company. As first I have started a new job at Bosch and you know it but first day I have seen a advertisement it is about photographer training and I said myself  ''I should go there'' After seen that I have sent an e-mail to a person who was getting registration of training but she asked me what is your personel number and I have thought like what should I say and I said '' Sorry I started as new and today is my first day also I didn't get my business card yet'' She said again '' Okay it doesn't problem, I got your registration''.  I have shocked and was so happy. First day of training course was not bad because I didn't know other people but next lessons all of things was awesome I mean, met new people and we had cool environment and chatting. Unfortunately that training course was just two weeks, three days in a week. Training course time was okay but tired because training was in my night shift work time and I was going to course and back home again and later go job again... I was so tired but I didn't care because I was so happy. When it finished we got certificate of participation from Bosch Hobby Club Trainer ''Zeynep Yıldız''

Also we had a big cake for celebration it. On the cake had Nikon camera machine photo and it was so funny but looks fantastic lol also our instructor cutted cake on the camera's lens... Poor camera :=) Like this.

And then what happend after course? Last week normally club had a trip on villages of Bursa but I didn't go because I had in overtime of work so today I went there with second group and it was amazing! I haven't been a long time in villages so today was more peaceful and motive to myself. Talked old people and we had fun with children also took their photos. Just I understood life is not always work! According to me these activities should be more because we need it!

Lastly I would like to thanks my all of friends! Particulary my instructor ''Veysel Kaya'' Bosch Photography Club president ''İbrahim Nazlı'' and Bosch Hobby Club Trainer ''Zeynep Yıldız'' I hope our photography club will more things for come together. Thanks!