Street Portraits in Izmir, Turkey

The kaleidoscope of detail found in narrow market alleys — the hoards of locals, the harsh call of vendors hawking their wares, and all the frenzy — it’s a place that can be photographed for days and still not be fully discovered; there are always new faces, alternate angles, changing light. Kemeraltı Bazaar is Turkey’s largest open-air market, with a history dating back nearly 2,000 years. It is the site of several historic Sephardic Jewish synagogues, like the Etz Hayim Synagogue from the 1300s, and also the site of the Hisar Mosque from 1600. There are many sections to the market, including fish and meat, fabric, gold jewelry, wedding attire and cafes serving Chai and Turkish coffee. There is so much activity packed into the winding blocks filled with stalls and pedestrian traffic.