The Story Behind the Photo
I took this photo of Kadıköy during a stunning sunset, capturing the warm glow blanketing the Istanbul skyline. The image showcases Haydarpaşa Train Station, its historic facade beautifully lit, contrasting against the serene waters of the Bosporus. Built in 1908 during the final years of the Ottoman Empire, Haydarpaşa was designed by German architects Otto Ritter and Helmut Cuno in a striking neo-classical style. It served for decades as the grand terminus of the Istanbul-Baghdad and later Istanbul-Damascus railway lines—an architectural gateway linking the East and West. Once a bustling hub of travel, trade, and dreams of faraway lands, the station now stands as a proud sentinel of Istanbul’s layered past, its grand columns and ornate windows still echoing the footsteps of countless travelers.
The sky transitions from vibrant orange to a calming blue, each color reflecting on the water’s surface, adding depth and movement. This image is a symphony of colors, from the warm lights on the station to the cool evening sky. It was taken with a Canon EOS 5D Mark III, using a 24-105mm lens at a focal length of 50mm, f/11 aperture, 1/4 shutter speed, and ISO 100. The timing was perfect, just as day kissed night goodbye, providing the ideal balance of natural and artificial light. I was standing on the pier, drawn by the remarkable view of Sultanahmet in the distance, including the iconic silhouettes of the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. This moment in Kadıköy felt like a farewell to another beautiful day, encapsulating the essence of Istanbul’s timeless beauty.