Sadhu – Kathmandu – Nepal

Kathmandu – Nepal / August 2017

For many years, I have been making photographic trips to countries geographically located in the east of Turkey. While working on the architecture, nature and daily life photographs of the country we go on these journeys, I also focus on human and portrait photographs. While shooting these shots, I try to shoot with people who have different characteristics rather than just the people I “meet on the road”, the “dressy, looks, mimics” interesting.

For this purpose, I try to visit the inner places and areas that are not often visited in religious places such as temples and monasteries in the places we go… we met. Sadhus are characters who live like half clergy, half beggars… They lead a life in line with their own beliefs. This sadhu was also in a conversation with his friends… We joined the conversation with half English half Turkish half gestures and facial expressions… Sadhu and his friends relaxed as the conversation progressed… We talk at length about communication in all human and portrait photographs.. Thanks to this conversation, the sadhu started preparing and smoking his cigarette, that is, he started living his normal life. We also take pictures…

By changing the viewing height and the lens I used, I prepared a frame where only the sadhu would stay in the frame… Since the moment that will show the smoking action most strongly will be the moment when the smoke comes out, I chose the moment when the smoke comes out… It provided a more dynamic image as it provided a settlement…

Camera : Olympus EM1 Mark II
Lens : 12-100 mm Pro Lens (used as 55 mm)
ISO : 400
Diaphragm: 4
Shutter : 1 / 50 s.
Exposure Compensation: -0.7 stops