Description
In some parts of Turkey, very traditional ways are still practiced to make charcoal and to make a living out of it. To make charcoal, pits called "torluk" are opened first. In order to be close to the raw material, especially the regions within the oak forests are preferred. The oak forests located in the regions close to Kırklareli, the northernmost province of Thrace, continue to be one of the leading places among the working areas of charcoal makers today. Evrencik is one these places.
Charcoal makers (In Turkish they are called Torlukçu or Torakçı), one of the profession groups that are on the verge of disappearing, are making a high level effort to protect the oak forests, while choosing the torluk quarries they have established carefully and keeping the nature in their hands. The hard work of torlukists, who cut down oak trees in order to obtain the best quality charcoal in the regions permitted by the Ministry, begins after this.
The torluk pits carefully and diligently burn the oak trees they have built like tents in the torluk pits for 10-15 days, and after the burning takes place, they leave the torluk quarries to cool for 1-2 days. During the 10-15 days, they let the steam out periodically as a part of a healthy charcoal making process and sometimes this make create a very striking scene as seen in the photograph, especially during the sunset.
It is one of the hardest and hazardous professions on earth because if not careful, so many coal makers may suffer from lung diseases.
Taken w/ Fujifilm XPro2 XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR lens
November 10, 2018
About Hakan Biyiklioglu:
Hakan Biyiklioglu is a photography artist from Istanbul, Turkey. He started photography when he was 19 years old with his father’s Yashica camera. He chases for unusual moments and angles in ordinary city spots and streets, he makes use of wide spaces, minimized objects, and people, mixed with a feeling of serenity. Geometry, silhouettes, and shadows are mostly in play as well as long exposures. Traveling to rural parts, iconic cities, chatting with people before photographing them are essential parts of his photography adventure.
He has been featured on many web sites (Eyeshot,Life is Street, İfsak, etc) and social media sites. He has been the guest photographer for a photo documentary series called "Bir Kare Bir Anlam", for 3 episodes, on one of the most popular Turkish Television Channels, TRT2. He has been invited for photography talks and presentations by FujiFilm in many cities of Turkey.
License: Primary NFT holder is free to use in advertising, display privately and in groups, including virtual galleries, documentaries, and essays by holder of the NFT, as long as creator is credited. Provides no rights to create commercial merchandise, commercial distribution, or derivative works. Copyright remains with creator.