Born on May 1, 1956, in Siirt, Coşkun Aral completed his education at 14 September Primary School, Oruç Gazi Middle School, and Mecidiyeköy High School. He embarked on his career in press photography in 1974 at Günaydın and Gün newspapers, continuing at Ekonomi ve Politika newspaper in 1976.

In 1977, he gained global recognition for his photographs of the bloody May 1st events, which were distributed by the Sipa Press Agency. These images were featured in Time and Newsweek magazines. In the following years, he served as the Turkish correspondent for the Sipa Press Agency and contributed to various Turkish media outlets, including the Turkish News Agency, Milliyet, and Hürriyet newspapers.

In 1980, Aral took on assignments outside Turkey for the first time on behalf of the Sipa Press Agency. He gained international acclaim for his coverage of the Gdansk Strike in Poland and the events in Iran and Iraq. His documentation of the September 12 coup, through his archival work, was featured on the covers of Newsweek and L'Express magazines and in numerous international publications.

On October 14, 1980, he conducted the world's first interview with air pirates aboard a hijacked plane, attracting attention from Turkish and international media. He received awards in Turkey and various countries for his coverage of this event. From 1980 onwards, he extensively covered wars in Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Northern Ireland, Chad, and the Far East as a photographer for publications such as Time, Newsweek, Paris-Match, Stern, and Epoca.

In addition to his work in photography, Aral continued his career in television journalism. He maintained his role as a war TV correspondent alongside his photography. He initiated the documentary series "Haberci" for 32. Gün and co-founded İz Tv, Turkey's first information and document channel.

Coşkun Aral was among the founders of İz Tv, which received a special mention at the 2006 Hot Bird TV Awards in Europe and won the Hot Bird TV Award in the documentary category in 2007. In 2012, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Middle East Technical University (METU) Senate for his pioneering role in his profession, exemplary personality, national and international achievements, and contributions to his country.

In 2014, Coşkun Aral was invited as a guest to Landskrona, Sweden, by the Landskrona Photo Festival, where his exhibition titled "Exodus" was showcased. He has held numerous exhibitions in Turkey and around the world. In 2016, his exhibition project "Exodus Déjà vu," focusing on refugees, was held in Kuala Lumpur with the participation of six photographers. The exhibition traveled to Ankara and Istanbul in 2017 and Bangkok in 2018, followed by an online exhibition in New York in 2020, featuring the work of 11 photographers.

In 2018, Coşkun Aral launched the "Coskun Aral Anlatiyor" brand on YouTube. In 2019, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Süleyman Demirel University. In January 2020, he was among the founders of Habitat TV, which began broadcasting on Türksat and Tivibu. He continues to produce independent and institutional documentaries, organize photography events, and participate in exhibitions.

Books:

In 1983, he co-authored the war photography album "Galile’de Barış" with four war photographers, including Reza, the renowned photographer for National Geographic. This book, which covered the war in Lebanon, was later published in Germany and Algeria. He was featured in the book "War Torn," published by Pantheon Publishers in New York, which showcased the work of the top 31 war photographers of the time. In 1988, he published the adventure photography album "Türkiye: Bin Millik Büyük Serüven." In 1995, Fielding Worldwide Publishers in the United States released two of his books, "Savaş Tehlikeli Işık" and "Dünyanın En Tehlikeli Yerleri." In July 2000, his photography album "Sözün Bittiği Yer," featuring his work as a war photographer over the years, was published. In 2003, Alkım Publishing released his book "Ölümün Yakasına İliştirilmiş Hayatlar."

Filmography:

"Haberci" (a documentary series consisting of 190 episodes, each 45 minutes long) "Go East Go West / Global Vision" (production of documentaries aired in Germany) "Savaşın Tanıkları" (a documentary series consisting of four episodes, each 50 minutes long) "Türkiye Notları" (a documentary series consisting of four episodes, each 50 minutes long) "Abidin Dino Portresi" (a biographical documentary) "Pamir’den Van’a Özgürlüğün Nal Sesleri" (a documentary film) "Anadolu Aslanı: Kangal" (a documentary film sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism) "Sonsuz Mavilikler Ülkesi Bodrum" (a documentary film) "Dünya Güncesi" (a documentary series consisting of episodes, each 40 minutes long, aired on İZ TV) "Türkiye Notları" (a documentary series consisting of episodes, each 40 minutes long, aired on İZ TV) "Haberci İz Peşinde" (a documentary series consisting of 13 episodes, each 30 minutes long, aired on TRT TÜRK) "Ülke Rehberi" (a guide series consisting of 52 episodes, each 4 minutes long, aired on TRT TÜRK) "Ben Bir Daçkalıyım" (produced for Darüşşafaka Society) "İstanbul’un Saklı Kovanları" (produced for BAL-DER, sponsored by ISTKA, aired on İZ TV) "İstanbul’da Bal Avı" (produced with Balparmak sponsorship, aired on İZ TV) "Ilk Avrupalılar" "Efsane İstanbul" (produced for Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture, aired on İZ TV) "Sakıp Sabancı Mardin Museum Documentary" (produced with Sabancı University sponsorship, aired on İZ TV) "Çağdaş Evliya Çelebiler-Hayalimdeki Yolculuk" (produced with British Council sponsorship, aired on İZ TV) "Genç Kaşifler" (produced for Istanbul University Children's University sponsorship, aired on İZ TV) "AFAD-AFKEN Promotional Film" (prepared for UN Public Service Awards) "Siirt Promotional Film" "Sınır Tanımayan Arılar" (a documentary film sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism) "Ford Transit ile 50 Yıllık Yolculuk" (a documentary series consisting of five episodes, sponsored by Ford, aired on social media and İZ TV) "Çekirdekten Fincana Kahven