It has been a very good month here in Cyprus.  Photos this month are based around two shoots and one trip out to an abandoned area of Magusa on the east coast of Cyprus.

I was very happy to work with singer / song writer, DJ and recording artist, Munevver.  Her DJ project is called I AM Greylight but recently she has been working on a single to be released in Turkey.  If you read this blog regularly you will remember we met at lunch a few months ago.

Anyway we met early in the month for shoot 1 which went really well.  I suggested she bring a friend as I thought it would be good to have a second pair of eyes on Munevver and also to help the atmosphere.  Things are different in Cyprus, I am not well known as a photographer so its harder to establish trust, which is really important in these types of shoots.  Munevver is comfortable in front of the camera but at that point we didn't know each other very well.  I had sent her lots of source photos and we agreed that strong shadows would be the route to go. 

So the day arrived and the girls came to my flat and they promptly disappeared into my spare bedroom to change.  I was trying to build rapport and tried to be hospitable to them both but we were ready to start pretty quickly and they didn't want much. 

So the first outfit was nice and we did several types of shot using strong shadows. In one shot I used a red lettuce drainer as a flag and it created a nice effect.

Love the above shadow, the hair looks soft.

After this we sat down and looked at the photos so far on the computer.  This is a really nice thing to do and not something I have done a lot of, usually there isn't a computer available on an event or studio shoot.  I used to bring a computer to my one hour shoots but didn't often have time to go over the shots with people.  So this was really nice to do and it went forward to establish trust.  After that we had a break and sat on the balcony and chatted a bit and everyone became more relaxed.  It became apparent Munevver understands photographers and by the time we went onto the next costume change everyone was buzzing and having fun.  Deran, her friend, posed for a few shots while Munevver changed and she was really funny, dashing into the bedroom to change quickly.  I think it was her first time with a proffesional photographer.  Anyway Munevver strided out with twice the confidence and a more club oriented costume and we got to work on shadows with coloured lights.

We had another break and looked at the photos.  By this stage we were all getting on famously and there was a lot of stories and laughter.  We then went on to do full length shots against the opposite wall.

Another download and then a final set of shots trying out a few ideas.

Here are the shots of Deran

Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt©

So this shoot went as well as it could and everyone left happy and excited but four days later Munevver got in touch and we did a second shoot with a cover shot for her new single in mind.  This shoot went even better and Munevver had a brilliant costume and a dress she wore in her video shoot.

I think the photos speak for themselves. Munevver is a great girl and constantly creating.  I am happy to know her, and its nice that her English is good so I can have proper conversations.  Look forward to working with her agaain.

Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© You can see all the photos in Munevver Group

and find links to her instagram page.

Finally a backstage shot from the second shoot.

Photos by Sin Bozkurt©

Now its onto my day out to the east coast. Varosha (or Marash) is an area in North Cyprus by Famagusta (or Magusa) that has been closed to the public since the Turkish Occupation in Cyprus in 1974, until very recently, Oct 2020.  I headed there with Naci and Elias and it was a good day out, if a little sad to see an abandoned district.  You can find out more of Cypriot history and the history of the area in links in the dedicated album (140 photos) which linked below. In brief the area was abandoned by Greek Cypriots when the Turkish Army was advancing to the port town in 1974.  The area was a tourist area graced by the likes of Elisabeth Taylor and other celebrities.

Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Lots of people made it out to see the place.  Here is the link to the full album

Afterward we went to Petek cake shop in Iskele where we had a lovely traditional plate and had the best service from this student below.  She brought us iced water straight after we finished without being asked.  Great place.

Beyond that the only other news is that Naci had his tattoo finished and we went for lunch at The Aroma Cafe after.  Our friends Asli and Orhan run the place and it is the best place for Borek on the island. Borek is fried treats both savory and sweet. Oh and the clouds have returned, although still no rain!

Over and Out. Link To The October Group Here