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28-MAY-2005 Helen Betts

In the Shadow of the Ottomans
by Helen Betts

Ankara, Turkey

This is an old Ottoman konak, or mansion, just a few buildings down from my apartment. It now houses the Mangal restaurant, and the manager says it's around 100 years old. I've tried to photograph it in the past, and the staff always looked at me a bit strangely, but this afternoon I decided to go for broke and actually asked if I could take pictures. Suddenly, everyone was my biggest helper, giving me suggestions on where to shoot from, when I would get the best light (not then), handing me brochures and cards, inviting me in for tea and then coffee, and telling me why film was better than digital ("more real"). Here's a picture of the original konak: http://www.pbase.com/image/43974419

Sony DSC-F717
1/60s f/5.6 at 9.7mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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mlynn 30-May-2005 20:29
Nice and symmetrical, sounds as if you had fun. --Melanie
Guest 29-May-2005 04:49
I've also found that a lot of old houses are used for restaurants. It must be the historic atmosphere people like. Nice capture and story Helen.