Sami, Ali (1866-1936), Turkish photographer. As photographic technology became more widespread in Istanbul following its introduction in the 1840s, Muslims joined the resident European, Greek, and Armenian practitioners, and Sami was one of the first. Trained as an artillery officer, he taught art and photography at the Imperial School of Engineers in Istanbul, and worked also as a military photographer for Sultan Abdul Hamid, recording the state visits of Emperor Wilhelm II. His work demonstrates a complex, accomplished presentation of his subjects, often departing from photographic conventions. In a 1908 picture, for example, family members are depicted informally at home, wearing everyday clothes, with four different newspapers spread about the room. Ali Sami's images, both court and privately commissioned, exemplify the sophistication with which Ottomans interacted with photography.
— Nancy Micklewright
Bibliography
- Cizgen, E., Photographer/Fotoğrafçi Ali Sami 1866-1936 (1989)
