=fotoizzet A.K.A. Hakan Yılmazer has got a gallery filled with very ethnographic documentary photos that are at the same time blossoming with poetry within. To him, photojournalism aims to portray reality and inspire reactions in the viewers – and while doing it, it becomes more real than life.

Who are you?

Everybody knows me as İzzet, but my real name is Hakan Yılmazer. When I was a child, I was an apprentice in a photograph studio called “Fotoizzet” in my hometown. So I chose it as my nickname. First of all, I want to indicate that I do not consider myself as a photojournalist, yet. Photography is not my real job. In fact, I am a computer engineer. I work as a web-designer and I spend almost all my free time taking photographs.

When did your interest with photography start?

Four years ago I began to take photographs seriously. At the beginning, you want to learn and try to shoot everything. However, you find your field of interest by the time. I do not agree with the idea that "Photography fills in a(n already existing) blank. Instead, I understand that the blank in my life is photography. I cut off the seconds from the time and the geography at present and furthermore I try to transport them to others (the next generation) as if I am the witness of the history. It’s a great pleasure to see something interesting such as people, places and periods of time and to transport them to other people. While taking photographs, you feel very excited and thus, forget about everything as if you were in meditation.

What is Photojournalism to you?

Photojournalism is to take photographs which attracts the person and makes him watch them.
A situation which somehow underwent into our subcouncious mind, suddenly appears in front of us or it brings us face to face with a condition which we cannot even predict. Instead of preventing you from curiosity, photojournalism sometimes makes you more curious. It attracts you inside it. It sometimes upsets you. It shows you that you should admire the ones which went off or disappeared by the time and you should keep them as your own values. It’s more realistic than life.

When did you begin to pursue photojournalism and who inspired you?

I began to do phojournalism at the same time I began taking photographs, by instinct. Because, when you begin taking photographs, you understand that you do not do it just for yourself.
I don’t like to change the reality. Photojournalism-manipulation are opposite concepts, I like the purity of photo-journalism. I identify myself with it. Like all other sensitive people, I have some relations and troubles in our present world. I want to change, prettify and protect the world. We want to be the workers of idea/thought. So, I consider myself as if I was in photography labor-shift.
There are lots of real photographers that I am affected by, and jealous of: exactly Abbas, Ekonomopoulos and his Balkans, Koudelka’s gypsies, Werner Bischof. In fact most of the Magnum photographers.

What do you most like about photojournalism?

As I said before, photo-journalism is the plain and honest truth/reality. When you manipulate this reality, it becomes another thing created by you. Therefore, I like that inviolability. What’s more, the photograph that you created becomes more valuable by the time; like wine.

Have you ever had your work published? Do you have some advice to who wants to start being published, etc?

My friend Tahir Özgür and I had followed fishermen’s struggle of life for a long time and then made an exhibiton called “Heyamola”.
Making an exhibition of this documentary project and sharing it with others was a nice feeling.
Photojournalists are the people who are hardly glad of something. So, we should share our photographs in order for people to be the witnesses of that moment. I advise the photographers to share their photographs with others via true platforms. What's more, everything should be told via photograph; there shouldn't be a need to subtitles.

What is your favourite photojournalism photo of yours?

Felt Carpet Workers

Have you ever felt afraid when making photojournalism?

Of course things don’t go along well. People sometimes don’t want to be photographed. There are also some places in which taking photos is impossible. In these conditions, the dialogue and respect are important. If I can manage to overcome such problems, I want to make a project on "pavillions”.

Is there any photojournalist you admire – and any photo in particular?

I have mentioned some of them in the previous answers. Therefore, I only mention some of the photographers that I admire in dA: *harmonist *erdalkinaci *solak11 *oscarsnapshotter *tahirozgur ~cahilus and ~enginguneysu
As for photos, I want to link one photo only. Maybe we can’t say that it’s photojournalism but I want to share it with you:
[link] by one of the biggest photographers: Ara Güler

Why dA? If you could tell the world about dA what would you say?

I really don’t remember how I found Deviantart, but I’m very happy to have found it. DA is a big world but you can setup your own community. I definitely recommend DA to my offline friends. We persuaded my friend Eyup [ ~eyupkarakus ] to be here, at last. I advise you to follow him attentively.
My favourite part in DA is the message section. With the help of it, you can direct all the messages and processes easily. "Reply” is very practical. Statistics are various. If you get accustomed to it, you can not use other photograph platforms. When I consider my job, I find it as a good opportunity to follow Web Interfaces and graphics.

DA is a planet where you can contact with others. It’s a place where sharing is unrestricted.

Who would you like to see interviewed next?

Tahir Özgür - *tahirozgur

Could you share your 10 best tips with the community?

1- Love the world
2- Love people
3- Wonder
4- Read and research
5- Follow lots of photos
6- Wait for true time and light
7- Be respectful to and emphatize with your models
8- Take photographs on the same topic at different periods.
9- Learn the rules but ignore them
10- (Of course) Edit ( digital or analog)

Thank you very much for sharing a bit of yourself with us, Hakan!

~

MORE Interviews:

• PhotoJournalism Interview(s) #1 [estudio]


• PhotoJournalism Interview(s) #2 [Ramibru]


• PhotoJournalism Interview(s) #3 [Obsidian-Fox]


• PhotoJournalism Interview(s) #4 [hersley]


• PhotoJournalism Interview(s) #5 [DrNoPlan]


• PhotoJournalism Interview(s) #6 [Marie-Aude]


• PhotoJournalism Interview(s) #7 [Digitalgrace]


• PhotoJournalism Interview(s) #8 [daaram]


• PhotoJournalism Interview(s) #9 [magzed]

PHOTOJOURNALISM & RESOURCES:

[CR] Fear No More! #2
Photographers’ self-importance
Welcome to Photojournalism - resources & inspiration
9 Tips for Breaking into Photojournalism
So You Think You're A Pro?
Photojournalism: An Ethical Approach
Political Comments
Photojourna-WUT??
The ABCs of PHOTOJOURNALISM
Street and Photojournalism, a comprehensive guide.


Notes:

1. The ABC's are personal views so please don't take it too seriously.

2. We try to find interesting and useful links for the community but can't possibly verify all of the information and we encourage deviants to exercise caution at all times to protect themselves.




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