M A Andrew Black and White Photography Blog

Istanbul is an ancient city that contains some truly stunning architecture. Over the years, the influences of Christianity, Islam and the Ottoman empire have helped sculped the  city into a unique place. The pictures here show the Blue Mosque - so named because of the Izmir blue tiles used in the construction of its roof,  The Haghia Sophia - one time church, one time mosque and Haydarpasa train station. At this train station, which sits on the Asian side of the Bosporous, you can catch trains to  Baghdad.

The old city of Marrakesh is lined by an interminable ochre wall. It’s only once you find a break in this barrier that you are able to swap Old Testament type alleys and derbs for wide European style boulevards. Strangely, it’s not long before you yearn to be back within its snaking confines once more.

Marrakesh is a city that shocks and surprises. The old part of town is just that - old. Almost biblical, the feel of this side of the city contrasts starkly with the wide, planned out avenues of the French quarter. Walking around here, you could easily be forgiven for thinking you were in LA or suchlike.

Koutoubia Mosque Minaret, Marrakesh, Morocco

Friday Prayers at the Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey

One of the most significant building in Istanbul is the Haghia Sophia. (Sometimes referred to as the Ayia Sophia) This building has been both  church and a mosque through the years. As Istanbul changed Religion, so did the Haghia Sophia. Today, the building is a museum but it still manages to maintain its ethereal qualities.

In the melee beneath this famous building I ran into many sellers. This man was selling juice and was happy to pose for his picture in the baking mid day heat.

Later, I went down to sea front at Besiktas for something to eat. There on the Bosphorus stood this little boy. I thought this would make a great picture so I quickly and surreptitiously shot a number of images. This was the best one.

The Blue Mosque is one of the main tourist attractions in Istanbul. It gets its name from the blue Iznik tiles used in the construction of the roof. The Blue Mosque is sometimes referred to as the Sultan Ahmet Mosque and is one of only two Mosques in Turkey that have 6 minarets.

When I arrived here, I sat around in the main courtyard looking for a shot. The call to prayer had just begun and people were starting to go in. I was using a long telephoto lens at 300mm when I saw this scene. The lady didn’t look my way until the last second and it was then I took the picture. Within five minutes, the people disappeared and I was sat alone once again.