Fatma Gultekin Interview

I was able to take a sneak peek at your flickr gallery, and I’ve seen that in the most part of photographs are women or femenine items paired with blue or green colors. What is it about the women theme that you’re drawn to?

Well I’m not intended to take only women photos. It just happened in that way. They are my friends,who I share my life with. So my photos are the part of my life. There is no « women » theme specially.

Can you relate a quick synopsis of how you broke into photography? Is it your profession?

It was 6-7 years ago I guess,I had a crappy digital. Then I discovered analog photography

Do you find yourself as a storyteller?

I don’t think so. Of course there is a story behind them but not a particular one.
What I really like of your photographs is the « default » touch, They can have a burnt part or be overexposed.

Does this happen accidentally or on purpose?

They happen mostly accidentally.I use expired films and a scanner to scan my negatives. I don’t do anything after that. What happens,happens during the process.

Can you describe your most personal project and what techniques did you use, equipment, and locations?

I was sick very very bad mood and depressing. We were in Denizli,a city in Turkey. I took them with Canon FTB. I used expired Ektachrome and they were cross processed. I also scanned them from negative

I specially love this picture, the atmosphere, the light and the movement are so in intimate and warm, Could you tell us more of the behind the scenes please?

It is a carpet (smiley). I don’t remember exactly but when I saw it I wanted to take a photo with the girl lying over there.

You were born in 1979, so you belong to this generation in between the film and digital era and as far as I can see, you usually shoot film. Can you tell us how has your life changed with the conversion from film to digital?

My conversion happened opposite way. I had a digital first then I started using analog cameras.I am not against digital. I think they are only tools to take photos. I use whatever I can get at that moment. Sometimes I don’t have my cameras with me so I use my cellphone but of course analog is more exciting. I love how I feel when I scan them and see the results.

Could you please tell us something about the people, the artists who have influenced your art?

Actually there are a lot. I spend my days watching movies,listening to music from all around the world.I’m not aware where I start to influence from them, I just take my photos what they feel me like.

Any final advice or words you would like to add?

Thank you so much for your patience.