Bored Panda reached out to Yavuz to learn more about his work. The photographer, known for capturing the essence of rural life in Turkey, shared what inspired him to focus on these particular scenes: “I have been living in a rural area since 2020, and I strive to document the challenges and daily lives of the people here while minimizing the presence of modern elements and technology.”

When asked about the challenges he faces when shooting in these environments, Arslan responded: “I encounter various difficulties, but I approach them by first getting to know the people I photograph, listening to their stories, and adapting to the available light and time conditions to overcome them.”

We were also curious why Yavuz prefers black-and-white images over color, and what, in his opinion, this style adds to his work. The Turkish photographer told us: “I want the viewers to question when this photo was taken and B&W photos take people back to old times and bring back memories, which makes me very happy.”

Lastly, Yavuz shared a memorable encounter he had while capturing rural villages: “Two years ago, we went to a village on high hills with friends to photograph a waterfall. I had a heart attack near the waterfall, deep in the forest. The locals quickly mobilized to help me, pulling me out of the trees with great effort and rushing me to the hospital.”