A photographer on the loose around the Middle East.
The posts regarding Syria are mostly from my Damascus diary where I lived from 2003 until I was forced to leave in 2013. Most of my photographic archive along with notes and diaries from that time were lost in the turmoil of a forgotten revolution.
I find art, in one form or another to be the answer to everything.
My life now is about telling stories of the human condition, the good the bad and the beautiful.
More recently I have returned to analogue and historical photographic processes as a medium to help share those stories.
My ridiculous intention is to post once a month so please enter your email (in the box to the right) as positivity is infectious.
Support for my work and this blog is greatly appreciated and would not be possible without you so please do consider buying me a coffee-it really does make a difference.
Thank you 🙂 x
John Wreford is a freelance photographer based in Istanbul, Turkey, available for commercial and editorial photography assignments throughout Turkey and the Middle East.
Contact me through my website or all the usual social media channels
https://wreford.photoshelter.com/contact
John Wreford Photographer 
Looking forward to reading more!
Stunning photos, and super interesting texts. Will take some time to read more!
Your work reminded me of Dorothea Lange’s photography. 🙂
Wow Patsy that’s some comparison thank you.
You’re welcome, John.
Very sensitive images. Beautiful work you are doing. Thank you for doing what you do.
Thank you Marllyn
Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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I look forward to following your visual diary!
Thank you 🙂
I hope you enjoy the journey
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Interesting photos and narrative… so sad to see the wonderful area being systematically destroyed. Wish I could continue exploring along the N. African coastline, the magnificent Roman ruins, other historical sites. Cheers
Thanks Alec
Lets hope things improve soon.
Fascinating part of the world to explore
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Truly appreciate your work and expressions! Thank you for being here. -Tori
Thank you for liking my post “Rain”. I love your work and look forward to following your blog.
Thank you 🙂
I hope you are doing ok?
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Hi John, thanks for liking my recent post, much appreciated from someone as talented as you.
All the best
Thank you George
Too kind 🙂
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Tx for dropping by blog!
Always a pleasure
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i read some more of your stories: the siwa one was very good, and the reference to the Horreya bar in Cairo was intriguing. What a place that is, or was! I take it you live in Istanbul now. Once I get a vaccine shot, I might go there in the Spring to take a look at some of famous mosques. I will drop you a line in a month or two or three, inshallah, to let you know of my plans, and perhaps we will end up finally meeting up. I no longer post in leavingamerika.com, but continue to describe my work on islamic patterns in zakrafa.design. cheers, ali
Intriguing work… thanks for visiting. Emily
Thank you Emily
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Exquisite photographs
Arresting stories
Killer blog
And, by-the-bye, thanks for stopping by.
Thank you Patrick
Your images are stunning-its always a pleasure
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Thank you, John.
And no worries. I find myself making a similar apology all too often. Thank you for making the effort now. 🙂
Beautiful picture! I love it.
Thank you Peter-
Very kind of you to say so
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Hello John, Thank you for stopping by my post and inspiring with your images. Your most Welcome to Kenya!
Thank you 🙂
Would love to be able to one day
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Thanks for liking (and so, most probably, reading) my writing on my sis’ passing. I appreciate it much since only another person online ever liked it in fourteen months. Thanks dearly whoever you are ❤ ✨
I am very sorry for your loss.
Some very touching words.
I do find blog pages quite randomly-keep writing and the flame alive
Hi John, thanks for liking my blog post on http://www.lambiestravels.com
I’ve just read your post ‘My gay Adventures in the Middle East’ and very much enjoyed it. Look forward to following you. Cheers.
Thank you Glenn
Glad you enjoyed it.
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Hi,
I found a link to this blog on Cheryl Bolens article about Jane Digby and of course it fascinated me – I live in Amman, having strong ties to Istanbul, too. So now I came to check out some of your wonderful pictures – I definitely cannot compete but maybe I can still learn some …
Hi Susanne
Jane Digby was an interesting women to say the least.
I love visiitng Amman-hoping to be back soon.
Not sure if you spotted this
http://roam-magazine.co/middle-east/streets-amman-jordan/
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Thanks, John, I’m glad you enjoyed my blog!
Thank you 🙂
I love your blog. One can find out a lot about the Middle East and also about you! I am happily spending my free time at work reading the experiences you have gone through, thus ‘travelling’ through the areas that you have visited, through your eyes.
Thank you for beautiful photos and words. 💕💕
Thank you Maja
I am happy to travel with you 🙂
Do drop by again soon
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Thank you so much for liking a post. Hope you come back again soon
Trina
My pleasure Trina 🙂
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No problem, I do that often, normally in the spam file
Hello Sir. Thank you for your recent visit on my blog and for liking my post. It’s great that you did since I discovered your amazing blog. I love your pictures! 🙂
It was my pleasure and its a pleasure to have you visit my humble pages.
Thank you so much and keep in tocuh Sunny 🙂
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I don’t know about “chequered past”… looks pretty impressive to me!
haha thank you Peter 🙂
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No problem, John.
Great photography and attitude. keep it up. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Thank you so much Ranjan 🙂
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Thanks for liking my post about the 404 Podcast Experiment. I hope you enjoy the Bulgarian forest!
Thank you Sue 🙂
I did indeed.
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Hello, thanks for looking at my blog. So good to see someone who wants to communicate and not sell me stuff. Looking forward to reading some of your blogs and looking at your photos. I am an amateur photographer so love learning from professionals like you and seeing your work.
My pleasure 🙂
Keep learning and keep shooting
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The Middle East and Balkans, my fave regions! Love your photography and can’t wait to explore more of your posts!
Thank you Anna
Its a fascinating part of the world I think you will agree.
Am glad you enjoyed Jordan-somewhere I am hoping to get back to soon-meanwhile if you scroll through the post index there are a couple from Jordan 🙂
Take care
Thanks John. Will definitely check out your Jordan posts. I am sure your amazing photography will enhance his magical place even more!
Nice blog John. Interesting observations and wonderful photos too. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Tom
Was very interesting to read your post on Pannig for gold-something I am curious about in Bulgaria
Panning for gold
Thank you Tom
Hopefully I will have the chance to explore more in the future .
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Thanks for sharing a world that isn’t so easy to access. Fascinating photography and insightful words. Now following your blog with great interest.
Thank you Lynne I really appreciate your comments and in complete awe of your illustrious writing career
I enjoyed your story and look forward to reading more. I found myself wanting to follow in your footsteps, or cycle trails!
Your photos are lovely and intriguing. I hope to see more.
Thank you Jennifer
I hope you are enjoying the trails of Wisconsin
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Beautiful writing and striking photos! Glad to have found your site.
Thank you so much Ruth
I hope you have been able to enjoy adventures and go where you want
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John x
You are catching up, I see! And thanks so much for visiting my site (you have used my book title in your reply). I haven’t been traveling much these days of the pandemic, but rejuvenating some older stories that were on my previous website and after. Your stories of the middle east are fascinating.
Love the work of art you display here. Keep posting, John. Cheers…
I’m sorry I can’t buy you a coffee John but I can pass on some advice from a bad experience I had with my coffee
https://donmatthewspoetry.com/2021/04/14/warning-to-all-cappuccino-drinkers/
Dear John, An amazing picturesque photograph
Thank you
Istanbul! One of my favourite places. I envy you in a way for being able to live with this city everyday. I can see a lot of interesting writings mixed with the beautiful photos. I will be back the weekend to read more. Until then, Istanbul’a saygilar
Thank you.
Yes, Istanbul is incredible-testing and challenging as much as interesting and exciting 🙂
Hi, just discovered your blog since you liked a post of mine (thanks for that btw).
I looked through it and instantly knew I had to follow. Very intriguing photography with such captivating posts. I’ll definitely be reading them from now on.
Thank you so much.
So glad to have you onboard. I have followed you back, mainly as I want to know the the story behind the name and how you have managed your summer to-do list 🙂 Be different.