Turkish photographer Alahattin Kanlioğlu captured a breathtaking image of daily life on Inle Lake in Myanmar, using only an iPhone 13. The photograph, taken in December 2025, shows a flower seller, two fishermen, and three Buddhist monks in a wooden boat on the lake.
A Scene of Skill and Tradition
Kanlioğlu, a photography specialist who taught at Ege University in Izmir for over two decades, first visited Myanmar in 2019. He was so enchanted by the region that he returned in 2025 to lead a photography workshop. As part of the trip, his group of six visited Inle Lake in the Shan Hills.
“The people of this region live in wooden houses built on tree stumps. Some surround the lake, but others are on the water, as if they’re floating,” Kanlioğlu explains. “Agriculture and fishing are two of the main livelihoods here, and uniquely, the fishers use foot-controlled oars to steer the boat, keeping a hand free for their catch.”
The image features two fishermen demonstrating their remarkable technique, a local woman selling flowers, and three monks receiving their daily meal. Kanlioğlu carefully staged the shot with his students to highlight the fishermen’s skill and the monks’ morning alms round. “They walk from their temples early in the morning carrying earthenware bowls. This photograph accurately depicts them receiving food donations from a woman selling flowers on the lake,” he says.
Miraculous Abilities
Kanlioğlu expresses deep admiration for the fishermen’s craft. “It’s understandable that people who have been born into this culture and immersed in water since childhood have such developed abilities, but it’s miraculous for foreigners like me to witness it,” he remarks.
The photograph was taken from a building overlooking the lake, allowing a unique perspective of the interaction between the fishermen, the flower seller, and the monks. The image has been praised for its composition and the way it captures a moment of cultural significance.
Kanlioğlu’s work continues to inspire students and photography enthusiasts, showcasing the power of smartphone photography in documenting authentic human experiences.
