Already in the 1870s printing companies were using photography in major coastal cities to document buildings and monuments for the municipal government, and to produce postcards for tourists.
In this way cities like Smyrna (Izmir) and Trebizond (Trabzon) were documented in the late 19th century.
A photographer of Russian origin called Yermakof opened a photostudio in the city in 1868.
Another Turkish photographer and postcard editor who was active from the late 19th century in Trabzon was Osman Nouri.
One of the first Turkish photographers by profession was Rahmizâde Bâhâeddin Bediz who opened his photostudio in Crete and later in Istanbul.