Commented by: Maruf ŞİNİK
Photographs are objects that have an important place in our lives. Even if not done consciously, dozens of photographs are taken with the desire to document many important events in our lives, to capture happy moments, or to at least share the same shot with the people we love. For this purpose, on the one hand, we choose special places, and on the other hand, we try to be the way we want people to see us.Some of the photographs taken for these purposes adorn the most beautiful corner of our home and appear as monuments of respect and pride. Images of a high-ranking family member or elder are often before our eyes at all times.
Some memory photos take their place in albums. We flip through albums at every opportunity and try to return to that moment again and again and experience that joy and excitement. This is actually the impulse to escape from the environment that is constantly negatively affected by change or to longing for the past. Photographs are loyal friends that we can always turn to when we are looking for a partner in our "increasing loneliness". In addition, people who are at the stage of getting to know each other may want to share photos as an indicator of their sincerity and intention to open up to each other. Each photo frame comes with information about that moment.
"We took this photo at a neighborhood picnic. I was three years old then.""Standing Uncle.""I took the wafer from my brother here. That's why he made a sour face." Information such as… I don't know how interested the other party is in this information. But one thing I know is that every photograph has a tendency and a story. A story that connects before and after the shooting.
The one I'm trying to read right now is a black and white photo from years ago. So much so that its colors are about to fade, there are marks on its mat due to moisture and dirt, and cracks on its face. When I started reading the photographic text in my hand, the first thing that caught my eye was; It is the stance of father and son, arm in arm, in harmony in front of an aesthetic and richly embroidered satin curtain, a window that they are trying to blindly cover, and a console with the same embroidery as the curtain.
The harmony and simplicity in the embroidery of the curtains, consoles and the carpet on the floor spread throughout the house and reveal the taste of the lady of the house. Considering that the housewife is generally responsible for domestic arrangements in the Turkish-Ottoman tradition, we can have a little idea about her, even though she is not visible in the frame.
At the same time, a wealthy family stands before us. The characteristics of the location give us some clues on this subject. In addition, the mustache cut, which was fashionable among important people in society in those years, shows the status of the father, while the suit made of stylish and expensive fabric, the tie pin that can be considered valuable and the staff with simple and clean workmanship reveal the economic portrait of the family.
It is surprising to see the harmony between the objects in the faces and attitudes of our heroes.
I want to continue reading the photo taken with his father while he was visiting his family on his first possible leave while studying at a military school.The father is patiently waiting for his son to graduate as an officer. Because in this way, it will maintain and/or raise its own social level. In addition, his son, who will contribute to the continuation of his family and lineage, is a source of pride for the father.
With this confidence, he took a careless attitude towards the audience. He did not button the front of his jacket and the fact that he looked away from the viewer is a conscious behavior rather than a coincidence. He only thinks about his son's future and his own future. It is quite possible to see the proud look on the face of the father, who is trying to show this by taking his son's arm, while at the same time displaying a vulgar (!) sense of ownership. It also shows us how firmly his feet are on the ground while he grasps the staff tightly with his other hand.
Unlike the father, the son looks deeply into the eyes of the audience. He is aware of his position with this behavior. At the same time, when we divide the frame from top to bottom, it is the symmetrical image of the father. We can see traces of self-confidence in both characters. The child, who knows that this special situation is due to his uniform, clearly shows this to us by holding on to his uniform with pride.
Even though he does this move a little timidly, he is following in his father's footsteps. The son stands before us with respect due to his uniform, and the father stands before us with the pride of being able to raise his social level thanks to his son and the happiness of having succeeded in guaranteeing the future of his descendants by the state. Father and son are very proud and happy. Even though their faces are not smiling...
There are many things that can be said in conclusion in this photo graphic text, which I tried to start with a piece of fabric (curtain) and finish with another piece of fabric (formal dress).
