Ekin Demirörs

This is a picture I did not take of my friend sitting on my right, buried in the brown wool bed sheet, on a trip to Kusadasi, Ozcelik Otel, trying his best to hold my pointless tears before they touched the floor, then we leaned towards each other like leaning towards an empty hope, that he tried to build back up so I can knock him down to the ground again, when I start talking without noticing he laughed, he laughed like he cried, like he will always support me, so I realize the emotions I feel now, were just dreams once.

Deniz Özişik

Walking is just like a living déjà-vu, living a life which is already lived by a stranger, watching the same show, on the amphitheater, living the same thoughts, same actions, which was already lived 2000 years ago. We continue that generation's same lives, just in different bodies. Seeing the same view of trees where light enlightens the stairs of the amphitheater.

Deniz Özişik

This is a picture I did not take of a butterfly fluttering its wings through the light wind; it was resisting the brightness of the sun on its wings, by hovering in the middle of the stairway, bending towards the daisy, showing its snow white wings to the sun; making fun of the bright sky. People are climbing and going down the stairway ignoring me, being butterfingers, scaring the butterfly and forcing it to find another place to make fun of the sky.

Nilsu Derici

A wind that brings the old souls, who made that inestimable structures as we go on our time journey in a meadow surrounded by dazzling flowers on the water.

Nilsu Derici

This is a picture I did not take of a spring house sparkling because of the bright sun, near alluring flowers, in the crowded city, while motorbikes are passing by. People in the house's garden were trying to get some wholesome fruit, then suddenly the sun sparkles and people on the motorbikes and people who are working pause for a moment, and look at the sun charmingly as the sunlight creeps between the house's curtains.

Arielle Fearn

This is a picture of the sun setting on the beach in Ephesus at around 8PM from room 513 of our hotel. I chose this picture because I wanted to remember forever how beautiful the sunset was on this 09 April 2009. I thought it was amazing to look at, how the suns reflection on the water, the clouds kind of blend into the light, and you can see the different shades of light. From the left the sky has a darker tone of red and if you look at the same level, it fades off into the clouds. Another nice detail of this image is the 4 trees. The trees bring more life to the scene and pull your eyes to the right and then back to the left and make you realize that this was taken from a balcony window since there is a part of the hotel showing.

Arielle Fearn

This is a picture I did not take when I was sitting on my gray bull beach towel at the beach near Ephesus; I could hear the waves hitting against the shore and I could feel the warm fresh breeze brushing through my hair and cooling down my skin. I was looking at all the people who were swimming in the sea and a couple of them running out while splashing water everywhere screaming ‘‘it's so cold!!'' So I had decided I wasn't going to go swim and spoil the wonderful moment I was enjoying while it lasted. The view from where I was sitting was perfectly located, there was no one splashing salty, cold water and spreading sand particles in my face. I sat there admiring the view and thinking of all the great wonders of Ephesus.

Buse Nacak

This breathtaking photograph of the sculpture Virgin Mary is a magnificent example of the wondrous beauties around the area of Izmir, Turkey. The glimmering sun is the one enlightening the assortment of religion and history and giving it an aspect of belief and innocence.

Buse Nacak

This is a picture I did not take of someone you can trust for a lifetime who had beautiful eyes glimmering in the sunshine, while she looked away and had a deep independent gaze towards the sun, ready to say good-bye and leave it's place for the stars. While the sea flashed in the nightfall, the colour of her eyes gleamed and brightened the hours of darkness.

Erkin Oto

The picturesque columns of Ephesus, built with a remarkable exertion about 1500 years ago. A tremendous treasure left behind after an incredible history.

Erkin Oto

This is a photo I did not take of me in a hotel room with a friend in a fascinating moment, warm as bright streaks of sunlight heating me up while a cold rain of tears flowed down my heart. The wetness of tears I felt on my shoulder caused me to perceive more than the sudden shiver all over my emotions, leaving an innocent dream deep upon my eyes.

Katie Connolly

Among the ancient ruins, a gold weed sprouts high above, getting an amazing view. She sees every person who comes to admire the Grand Amphitheater.

Katie Connolly

This is a picture I did not take of two hills curving into each other sharing a lovers kiss, the clouds like cotton buds hanging from string so low. It was like a painting, the Cyprus trees around it where a dark green that reminded me of the black depths of the sea; the sky a light baby blue, untouched and with out boundaries. Although I was in the bus, the low, clouds made me feel like I was soaring high in the mountains, my mind left behind me, miles away.

Melisa Türkay

A half rubbled template built using rocks during ancient times, catching the attention of tourists with its incredible structure, forming Ephesus city.

Melisa Türkay

This is a picture I did not take of our messy room after perfect memories, having precious and enjoyable times, while looking around with curious eyes detecting every unforgettable event, making everyone hyper, keeping everybody dancing and laughing. But left me, Ceren and Ilayda with a huge mess to clean, a dirty bathroom to wash, a broken bed and a camera to fix, a burnt mark on Melisa and Naz's injured finger to be healed at Ephesus in a little room.

Yasemin Parlar

A picture taken from underneath the sky of the silky clouds belonging to Izmir. The contrast between the white clouds, and the dark land is a comparison to the contrast of the mood of the picture, and the mood of the bus it was taken from. When you turn the picture upside down, it's a whole new world taken from space.

Yasemin Parlar

This is a picture I did not take as I was sitting backwards in my bus seat on the way to Kusadasi, listening to one of my favourite songs about love' s pain, and the wonderful view was whizzing past my eyes; all I could see was green and brown, and occasionally a herd of content sheep eating the green away from the picture.

Emir Tokcan

This is an exquisite place you must see, Ephesus, Turkey taken in early April. This exceptional landscape is only one of the few beautiful sights you can see in Ephesus. In the picture you can see all the olive trees in the green field, the little place in the very corner is a little restaurant in the middle of all those trees, with nothing else surrounding it like a little mouse in a huge garden.

Emir Tokcan

This is a picture I did not take of a lizard running across the places were we weren't allowed to go on, or even touch, its little feet were moving so quickly on the thousands of years of history.

Naz Akyol

A cat -the oldest citizen of the enchanted city of Ephesus- watching as millions pass by; the cat silently appreciating all that is around in a way that the people around can't do, damaging and noisy... The cat, resembling the queen of the ancient Egyptians, Cleopatra, beautiful, royal and all full of herself.

Naz Akyol

This is a photo I did not take of the sun peeking through a small, round gap between two pink buildings -very little of their paint remaining- reflecting off the rear-view mirror of a motorcycle standing slightly slanted -the metal of it rusting peacefully- and creeping in the front window of a tiny blue, hand-made house. The street is empty, silent and peaceful. The picture-perfectness of the scene got me lost in the glittering sunlight; it got me thinking of times other than my own and other lives that I spend a lifetime without even realizing their existence. As the bus rushes past this scene, I don't feel upset for missing it because my 6.2-mega-pixel Sony camera could never have captured the silence of the out-of-a-novel moment.

Alp Güvenir

This is a picture that I took in Ephesus, Turkey. The sun was just coming behind me as if with a great passion, while I clasped the camera at practically a 45-degree angle to have an impeccable photo. While I was taking the photo I felt the mild mood.

Alp Güvenir

This is a picture I did not take in Ephesus,Turkey which an Eagle was floating on the sky with a high urge near its nest on the historical pillar. The gladness of the bird having a nest on the historical pillar was understandable by the sight of its face.

Laila Tara Hossaini

A fiery poppy standing tall and proud in front of the ancient library that was once full of life and stories, abandoned and re-found. The Library that is now only walls and pillars, empty inside except for the shutters of tourists’ camera lenses, hoping to catch a feeling of the greatness that used to be. The irony of the poppy that represents wealth and success with the library that was full of both those representations. The contrast of the silky solf and smooth poppy with the delicately rough, carved out designs of the building.

Laila Tara Hossaini

This is a picture I did not take of a small, smiley boy who was climbing and jumping over the ancient rocks that once formed a city, surrounded by water that is now only lush green fields; the young child had no way of understanding at this point that he too will one day be as old and broken as the gray stones surrounding him, and that one day he too will be a part of history, maybe an insignificant one, but nonetheless, still a remain of what used to be.

Beril Kuruçayırlı

Tourist was just looking so deeply like she was trying to find something that no one saw. Then the suns light came top of her. She looked charming as the sculpture, noble as the Gods, and then I heard my friends laughing one of them grabbed my hand and pulled me away but my eyes were dazzled because of that wonderful view...

Beril Kuruçayırlı

This is a picture I did not take of an anxious man sitting on a rock near the trees with a sunset behind him, colors, red, orange and yellow shows themselves near the charming antique city. I could see his shadow holding his stick tentatively and tired, combined with the pretty colors underneath him; I could not see his face but I knew there was something about him.

Irmak Ertaş

In Ephesus, trying to catch up with my study group on my hurried feet, heat was tiring and my hair was on my forehead, driving me crazy. Then I saw these two ravishing, lovely daisies. The colors were so impressive that I stopped while I was already left behind, and took this photo. I had goosebumps, but I don’t know why. Two daisies stuck in the road, struggling. People just pass them by or step on them. It feels they are close but in the same time, separate and far away.

Irmak Ertaş

This is a picture I did not take of a man selling oranges, his lingering eyelashes were closing his eyes, full of anxiety and happiness, still hopeful and having faith to believe in that he can go back to Ankara and with the money he gained, find a job and help his family. Only a college student selling oranges, gaining less than 15 YTL and keeps that look of happiness. Still hopeful, still loyal, beside us students wearing Prada and Armani and yet having no conviction.

Anna Zheltukhina

In the spring of 2009 while blooming excavations in Miletus were uncovering the past making the foot steps of Roman soldiers seem just round the corner, on the periphery the heat and hazy air was transforming abandoned mosques into hills with lone trees.

Anna Zheltukhina

This is a picture I did not take of a silhouette of a man standing alone at the very top of a huge amphitheater, the blazing sun and a cloudless, dazzling, blue sky behind him. With his hand shielding his eyes from the sun and his red-checkered shirt wavering in the wind, he looked more like a Greek statue than a man. The steps beneath him in different tints and shades of grey were big slabs of concrete crudely put together on a steep hillside. Between the cracks in the slabs weeds were seeping through creating a network of green paths. In the ancient city of Miletus despite earthquakes and destructive greenery people were scaling mountains and reaching peaks at discovering the past.

Ceren Uygur

This is a picture of honey colored flowers with pure white petals near a rugged rock, with a cherry colored red ladybug enjoying the nature and bright sun of Ephesus.

Ceren Uygur

This is a picture I did not take of a shimmering, grayish blue sea, by the silky, beige sand, people swimming, exploring around, collecting textured seashells and trying to get a sun tan under the bright blue sky. Everyone looks so lively while they are beneath the huge, hot sun. I hear laughter all around me and I can feel the energy too. There seems to be friendship and peace at that moment, like we would stay like that forever, A friendship circle. After a while, the sun sets on the horizon and leaves a heavenly look, with red, yellow and orange bursts of colors, then shadows start to emerge because night is almost near.

Işıl Tuncel

This photograph was taken in Priene/Ephesus. In this photograph Emre is sitting with pride on an ancient, worn out rock column like a king would sit on his throne, not caring about where he is or what is happening around him.

Işıl Tuncel

This is a picture I did not take of Ahmet, who 's normally loud, jumpy, always in a hunt for adventure, siting pitifully with shorts wet, cold and grumpy, shivering with a towel of his own and two more towels which people gave him on his head, freezing to death, right after he swam in the sea. He had forgot to bring extra clothes with him to wear after he swam so he was trembling with water dripping from him.

Duru Kahyaoğlu

This timeworn view from Priene shows us the Herculean, antique, well – outlined and delightful columns. These 20 m long columns were used to stand up a huge and a holy temple built in Classical Period. Walking between these antique remains makes you feel like an ancient king.

Duru Kahyaoğlu

This is a picture I did not take of a lady praying hopelessly and quickly for a serious problem to be solved in Mary's House, the house of Virgin Mary in the mountains of Ephesus. She had several water droplets on her cheek, a small bag with some medicine in it. Not just water droplets, but real emotions were sliding down her cheek. The humid, dark air of the house made her emotions invisible and also helped her to pray easily. The mystic smell of the ancient house made me realize that it was the most realistic emotion I have seen for years.

Sarah Bandera

The camera is on top of an elevation trying to focus on the library of Ephesus but as the shutter button is pushed it focuses on a flourishing branch dropping in front of the lens paying no account to the library of Celsus, indifferent to all the ruins of Ephesus.

Sarah Bandera

This is a picture I did not take of an elderly woman descending from a ruin mound sprinkled with different poppies inflamed with red. The only just risen sun turning her body into a silhouette. Her husband taking a picture of her cautious face. Her slow movement and thoughtfulness reminding me of the many times I listened to my great grandfather telling me of the mountains he had seen in their full pride ranking over the sunrise.

Ilayda Üstünel

This photograph was taken in Ephesus, the Virgin Mary's house. People from all over the world come here and make wishes by tying tissues and pieces of clothing on the wall. The result is a colorful wall full of peoples' hopes.

Ilayda Üstünel

This is a picture I did not take when the teachers gave us one hour of free time in Ephesus, Selcuk and, me, Melisa T., Melisa B., Naz, Ege and Vitaly decided to climb on the ancient rocks. While leaping from one to another, we suddenly saw a colossal rock, which was almost three meters long. It seemed so fun that we resolved to climb on it, but since it was too high we were very frightened, so Ege pulled us up one by one like we were feathers. Naz was on top of the rock almost in a second without even holding onto something.

Melisa Bolayır

Prienne, Turkey- Daisies which are worried that someone will step on them but which are jumping up and down with the happiness and enjoyment of everyone around them.

Melisa Bolayır

This is a picture I did not take while Naz, Ege, Melisa, Ilayda, Vitaly and me were stumbling through the different-shaped antique rocks and trying to explore new paths at the city of Ephesus. Ege was pulling me up to keep me from falling. Everyone else was staring at us looking if I would fall or not with worried eyes. I was surprised when I met Ege`s eyes that I was having so much fun and enjoying the moment.

Adrian Dicker

This is a picture I took of the side of the old ruins of where children used to play and scream and where romance was conjured in this small little world where the green mold grows.

Adrian Dicker

This is a picture I did not take of the repeated knocking of me rapping the hollow poorly painted door as I heard the loud irritable footsteps of Sarah bolting across the room, and as she opened the door I could see the pieces of wood from the side of the door flying in all directions as she ripped of the chain-lock from the door and hearing the long piece of the door bang the floor making a loud explosion as if a bomb shell hit the hotel room.

Ela Altay

A web or a house that is protected by the strong and unbreakable walls that leans against the stairs to go down to a forest, that surrounds the small, fragile and innocent creature trying to survive in this cruel and unbearable world, his world nothing like the real world, in Turkey at the Virgin Mary's house!

Ela Altay

This is a photo I did not take of us starting to walk slowly towards Migros, to do some shopping, because eating the food that was given by the hotel was frustrating, because many of us didn't even eat any of it, but when we saw the handmade, perfect sandwiches at the shop next to the grocery store, everyone thought why not? When me and others got the chance to order we didn't wait a minute. Oh, when we got the chance to hold it in our hands and eat it, we knew it was delicious. It was a taste none of us would forget because it was even better than the sandwiches we ate in Ankara.

Idil Azizoğlu

This picture was taken in Ephesus, Turkey of the magnificent library which is one of the most conspicuous figures of the area with its gigantic size and mind blowing history expressing its age's idea of arts and cultural factors.

Idil Azizoğlu

This is a picture I did not take of a fisherman dressed in cropped pants and a dirty shirt in Ephesus, Turkey trying to separate the inedible parts of an octopus's leg with a small knife leaving the legs extremely white and putting them on the corner of a large rusty can while the furious waves hit the sea shore making particular parts of the sand collapse in.

Stephanie Holt Helmer

Priene, Turkey- Atop the path that squirms and winds through this ancient port town rests the temple weighed down by segmented columns like tremendous stone gears whose machine long ago turned to rust presiding over a sea of green that was once just sea.