While in Turkey, wander among the caves of Cappadocia and indulge on the beaches of Bodrum. Atul Kasbekar lists exotic destinations where he shot the latest edition of the Kingfisher calendar. By Divya Kaushik
No, we are not talking about just Istanbul here. Instead, it is all about exotic and unexplored Turkey that most of us might have missed while touring the country with a very touristy itinerary. And who can be better than Atul Kasbekar to talk about it! The lensman has recently returned from Turkey after shooting the latest edition of the Kingfisher calendar. For shooting, Atul gave a miss to the most popular destination in Turkey, Istanbul, and chose the breezy beach of Bodrum, a port city in the southwestern Aegean Region of Turkey. The reason he says that “it has an enigmatic charm with a row of boutique hotels, flower-filled cafes and white plastered backstreet.”
It is just recently that Bodrum has got famous as one of the most happening beachside destination in Turkey. It was the fishing village where, as is said, dissidents against the new Turkish republic were sent into exile. “What I loved about this place was that it offers interesting variety and a perfect background. As per the nature of the calendar we were shooting mostly around the beaches but that exotic element was every bit there. I was so glad when I was told that we would be shooting in Turkey.
In every edition, our endeavour is to keep it exotic and exuberant. The backdrop of Turkey served as the perfect location for an outdoor shoot. It is always challenging to shoot in such set ups, but then the final shots make it worth the effort,” says Atul, who has earlier been to Turkey on a holiday. He says that the place is every bit a delight for any photographer as there is so much to explore. “We all know about the fabulous architecture, markets buzzing with activities and splendid food streets. But what I like most about the place is that you can find modernity and culture co-existing in perfect harmony. There is so much to explore, from the beaches of the Aegean and Mediterranean coastlines to the mountainous regions around Mt Arara,” shares Atul.
For anyone planning to visit Turkey, unearthing the historical facts in Cappadocia, discovering Pamukkale hot springs, which appear white due to the calcium deposits and wandering in the Roman ruins of Ephesus is a must, says the photographer. “Cappadocia is famous for its cave dwellings and volcanic rock formations. It has interesting cave dwellings that are worth visiting once in a lifetime.
If you want to take a better view of the honeycombed hills and beautiful structures, take a hot balloon ride that dot the sky in the morning during the peak season. The other interesting place is Ephesus which is known for its Roman ruins in the eastern Mediterranean region and was once home to the temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Ephesus was once a major port city with a large population. It is a photographic wonder with a splendid view. Pamukkale, meaning cotton castle in Turkish, is another attraction. The city is known for hot springs and travertines, terraces of carbonate minerals left by the flowing water,” says Atul.
One could have a better view of the beaches of Turkey in the show, The Making of the Kingfisher Calendar 2015 on NDTV Good Times.