Journey from Istanbul to New York captured in photography

Renowned photographer Pari Dukovic’s solo exhibition, “Journey from Istanbul to New York: A Photographer’s Story,” has opened its doors at the Greek Consulate in Istanbul.

Born in Istanbul, 40-year-old Dukovic shared insights about his artistic journey with an Anadolu Agency correspondent. He explained that his passion for photography began at the early age of 8, and the exhibition features photographs taken in both Istanbul and New York.

“These works reflect my Istanbul photographs. They show the street scenes I captured while growing up in the city,” Dukovic said. “At the same time, the exhibition also showcases photos I took of New York after I moved to the United States.”

Emotional essence of Istanbul to New York

Discussing the emotional essence of both cities, Dukovic highlighted the unique atmosphere each possesses.

“Istanbul is a very special city for me, of course – it’s where I was born and raised. Its significance in my life is immense. The light in Istanbul is so fascinating that it goes beyond reality, becoming a metaphor. I always try to capture and reflect that in my photographs. When I moved to New York, I continued shooting street photography while living there.”

Portraits of iconic figures

The exhibition also includes portrait photos of prominent figures such as former U.S. President Barack Obama, basketball legend LeBron James, and other celebrated individuals from the worlds of sports and music.

Dukovic revealed that portrait photography is a challenge he constantly embraces as part of his personal growth.

“When I photographed Obama at the White House in 2017, I only had 2.5 minutes, during which I managed to take 47 shots. The reason magazines hire me for portrait work is my ability to deliver quality results in a very short period of time,” he explained.

This visually compelling exhibition, which offers a narrative of two major metropolises and includes encounters with people and moments captured through Dukovic’s lens, will be open to visitors until Oct. 23.