Ömer Ziya TOPSAKAL Ulusal Fotoğraf Yarışması Sergisi

This event is organized to honor the memory of Mr. Ömer Ziya Topsakal, who made numerous contributions to the art of photography and to BUFSAD. Born on December 11, 1954, in Trabzon, Ömer Ziya Topsakal completed his elementary and middle school education in Trabzon. After his family moved to Bursa, he completed his high school education at Bursa Boys High School. After graduating from the Mechanical Engineering Department at METU in 1978, he began working as an engineer at a company in the automotive sector. He held various positions at the same company until his retirement, building a career characterized by technical expertise and discipline. After retirement, he discovered the art of photography, which gave new meaning to his life. This passion led him to the Bursa Photography and Cinema Amateurs Association (BUFSAD). By participating in nearly every course and workshop offered by the association, he developed both his technical skills and his artistic vision. For a time, he also served as Vice President on the BUFSAD board of directors. Rather than limiting his photography education to the association, he first graduated from the Department of Photography and Cinematography at Anadolu University, and then earned a master’s degree in the field from the Department of Photography and Cinematography at the Gülşehir Vocational School of Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş University. He won various awards in the many competitions he entered and served as a jury member in numerous contests. Photography was a passion for him; saying, “I would go to the other side of the world just to take photos,” he participated in many photography trips both domestically and abroad. When he returned from these journeys, his bag was filled not only with photographs but also with memories. His photographs reached audiences across Turkey through exhibitions and shows. Many of his works were featured in albums and books. Although he was a member of many photography associations and groups such as ANAFOD, ATAFOD, and SİLLE SANAT SARAYI, his heart was always filled with photography and BUFSAD. Ömer Ziya Topsakal was a man who approached everything seriously, was modern, and committed to Atatürk's principles. Ömer Ziya Topsakal was happy to be the father of a son.