We are born almost blind, our eyes hurt from the excess of light and they close on their own. And then, when they open, they begin to change and so on for the rest of our lives. Old people’s eyes are dull because their energy has dried up and their life journey is coming to an end. And that is why the most interesting, the most unusual are the eyes of kids, which blaze with their inner light!
The photographer Abdullah Aydemir, who took these magnificent images, lives and works in Istanbul. A city of contrasts, a crossroads of the world, where there are poor neighbourhoods and rich ones, where street kitties are respected and where you can meet people of all nationalities. And their children, of course, which Abdullah is on the hunt for. Because the best, most interesting models are not in the studio, but on the street, you just need to find them.
The photographer himself considers the brilliant looks of children as something like beacons that should attract the attention of lost and tired souls. Because at a young age everything seems big and interesting, the future excites the imagination, you want to create, move and just live. Hence the frenzied outburst of energy that lights up the eyes of children. Adults can’t and don’t want to, and for nothing! That is why we need children as a reminder, as an example of what life is for!
You can see that most of the children in the photo are muddy, dirty, with scratches, bruises and abrasions. Because a small child does not know how to sit still and does not pay attention to such trifles. These are real shots from life, children are not washed, not prepared for shooting, and often also as if caught by surprise. That is why the emotions are so sincere, and the light of their eyes is real!