Ottoman Resistance Against Western Orientalism: Photographic Album of Abdulhamid II and Elbise-i Osmaniyye

Abstract

This study argues, how was Ottoman's photographic representation locally and universally produced, manipulated and consumed. In a general context, the thesis of this study discusses the role of intertextual process within the construction of Ottoman image, and the resistance practice of Ottoman against the Western Orientalist practice via the contemporary channels of communication and also claims that Ottoman's photographic representation is not only a fact that was constructed by West but also a fact that was constructed by the Ottoman itself within the local dynamics. In the context of these claims, the role of two photographic practices, massive and long-termed Abdulhamid II Albums and culturally oriented Elbise-i Osmaniye Album, were analyzed.