Journalist’s Ara Güler photos in Anadolu Agency archive

The photographs of late photojournalist Ara Güler, taken by journalist Nezih Tavlaş while writing the biography "The Life Story of Photojournalist Ara Güler," were published in the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA) Archive.

In the 106 photos taken by Tavlaş, published on the sixth anniversary of Güler's death, Güler is seen at home, in his office, on the street and at the airport.

Tavlaş said that he spent the years 2007-2010 with the master photojournalist while preparing his book. "I believe that Güler's success was not a coincidence, and I prepared the book with the aim of telling this to all of Türkiye," he said.

He explained that he started preparing the book's framework by reading all the articles, essays, interviews and news about Ara Güler.

Tavlaş explained that he continuously took photographs of Ara Güler from the moment they met, and continued:

"Later he started bringing me photos that had been taken before. I said, 'I want to take photos of you myself.' For example, when he saw the photo I took at the airport because of his fear of flying, he got excited and framed it himself. He separated the other photos I took of him sitting in the middle of the road, on a chair, reading a newspaper and printed them and giving them out here and there. I heard him tell Umut Sülün from Fotoğrafevi, 'This guy's photographic eye is better than many who walk around calling themselves photographers.' For an amateur photographer like me, receiving such a comment from the master, even if not said to my face, is priceless."

Ara Güler

Güler, who contributed important photos to the visual memory of Türkiye and the world, was born on Aug. 16, 1928, in Istanbul. Güler received his early education at home...