If you have spent any time at all in the photography galleries of deviantART, you are no doubt familiar with the dynamic and striking images posted by photographer Erdal Kinaci . Not only do his images eloquently describe humanity as he encounters it, they do so with flawless technique and finesse.

Erdal Kinaci is a veteran photographer who has shot film for over twenty years and began shooting digital in 2002. Born in 1966 in Malatya, his fascination with visual arts began even before primary school when he took to his mother's oil paints. In fact, though he is renowned as a photographer, his paintings have also been displayed in exhibitions. When he was living in Istanbul, he was one of the founders of the Photographers Union at Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, where he received his bachelor's degree. He was also a member of IFSAK (Istanbul Amateur Photographers and Cinematographers Association) at the time. Kinaci has been living in Anamur since 1990 where he serves in an administrative position in the health sector. A a member of MFD (Mersin Photographic Society), he has instructed photographic composition in several clubs and organizations.

Winner of National Geographic International Photography Contest 2006 in "Human" Category:


The Interview
Special thanks, go out to *GeorgeHarrison, who translated my questions into Turkish for Erdal and then translated the Turkish responses to English for me! Thanks also to the =turkiye group and to *ucmorlale, who assisted *GeorgeHarrison!

For how many years have you been doing photography, and how would you describe your evolution as a photographer?
My interest in photography started more than 20 years ago. I started to look at photography as "photography" during college years. I came to see things I knew to be true were actually wrong while attending basic photography courses at IFSAK. Later on, we started Cerrahpasa Photography Club; during this period my point of view changed as a whole.

Still, photography is such a thing on which you need to keep changing/improving your point of view. For example, some photograph which left you in awe only three days ago, now looks not special at all and makes you grumble how people need to change their points of view.

Speaking technically, I used b&w film for years, and I believe I achieved my photographic evolution with it. But I discovered digital photography in 2002, and since then I have kept taking both manual and digital photographs.



Describe some of the important influences and inspirations that have helped shape your vision, whether they be cinema, photography, general art, literature, people, etc.
Especially while shooting un-disabled-life series, I witnessed very interesting, very sad lives. I learned a lot of things. This project improved both my photography and my profession in the medical field.

How important to your livelihood (income) is your photography work?
About ten years ago, an advertising agency contacted me about their wish to use my photography in their calendar. I was so happy that I was about to give my photographs for free. I have been preparing articles and photographs for three different periodicals nowadays, though I can't quite say I earn a living from photography.

I don't take shots for commission; for example, I won't accept an offer to shoot a party or such an organization, but if I were to be asked to shoot historical places in Aleppo or Damascus, I would hit the road before the talk was over.

Who are some of the deviants who have inspired you, either socially as friends or artistically?
The users *HoKosTo and ~Creeps suggested deviantART to me. I am happy to be a part of this community. deviantART is quite dynamic, and to be honest it is nice to be free.

What subject matter do you prefer to photograph?
Any subject including humanity excites me. I love shooting people's lives from far lands. I would like to photograph everyday life of people who live their religion intensely, such as Taliban.



What are your favorite tools of your trade as a photographer?
I'm using Canon EOS 5D as a DSLR now, it's full frame, especially fast and has a great noise profile. But I'm having trouble with keeping it's sensor clean. It's sensitive, you have to protect it well.

Again, I'm using Canon L series lenses:
- Canon 16-35 f2.8 L : Expensive, but I think it's worth its price.
- Canon 70-200 f2.8 L : Expensive and heavy weight but I think these are acceptable. Considering its focal range, it's a pretty bright, fast lens in lower light situations, and especially sharp.
- Canon 50 mm 1.8 : Because of it's f number and price, I think it must be in everyone's case.
- Canon 400 mm f 5.6 L : I don't think I use this much, but I can say it has a well, ergonomic body. I heard that orniphotographers prefer this lens.
- Sigma 150 mm f2.8 macro : One of the best macro lenses I've ever used, great performance for the price. Not only macros, it's also great in portraits.



What does photography mean to you? What is its most important aspect, which makes you want to go out and shoot? What is center to your creative experience?
Photography is a purpose in my life. You know, there is a saying "do you eat to live or live to eat?" If I project this question on photography, I am one of those who live for photography. Photography is a top priority (of course excluding my family) in my life. I can easily leave my job or the place where I live, for the sake of photography. As for roaming around.. I already do.

I think the most important aspect of photography is the story it's telling. A single photo with a story is great but it's unusual and usually means no more than a brief "well done" to a photographer. I think the work must have a story and a purpose.

For example, a perfectly composed nature photo may look beautiful, but I don't think it adds something to either the photographer or the observer. When photographer includes some details/hints about the place or the time, a good photograph may come out. Instead of saying "Here is the mountain and the sun goes down behind", photograph must be able to say "Here's the highest mountain in Anatolia... the people of here eat this, wear that."

To summarize, real photography is documentary, in my opinion;the rest is fun.

How would you describe your work?
I think a photograph is a result. What you see in it is more important than what I want to show you. In this aspect, a description like "in this photograph I tell you - - -" is wrong. But I can say that I always try to catch the most flawless photo. Because in addition to the story-telling and purposeful photography, I wish to tell those stories more powerfully to you.

There are photos that ends wars you know. I want my photos have an impact like that. I work for that.