Afghanistan: The Color Awakens
iPhone Photography
Afghanistan, after enduring more than three decades of war with millions of casualties, is now on the verge of embarking on a challenging journey towards achieving political, economic, and social stability and security for its people. The middle-aged generation of Afghans, having experienced numerous hardships and tasted the bitterness of insecurity and poverty, now harbors hope for a brighter future for their children and future generations in their country.
During my recent stay in Afghanistan (May 2015), I had the opportunity to meet children and teenagers who had to work to support their families. They expressed their wishes, accompanied by smiles, for the same educational opportunities as children in other parts of the world, desiring a chance to pursue the kind of life and future they aspired to. Additionally, Afghan women, who had been deprived of their freedom to think, dress, and choose their lifestyle under the rule of the Taliban and the misogynistic culture of their country, have now embarked on a restless struggle to attain more rights and freedoms in the limited opening that has occurred in Afghan society.
Afghanistan, with its ancient, poetic, and mystic culture that has nurtured numerous Persian-language writers, is a land of vibrant colors and life. Its people are currently striving to wipe away the dust accumulated during the long years of war, seeking to restore their country's true essence—a radiant place adorned with beautiful colors. Due to the challenging and complicated situation in Afghanistan, where photography can be difficult and the reaction to professional cameras is often less than friendly, I made the decision to capture this collection using my iPhone camera
During my recent stay in Afghanistan (May 2015), I had the opportunity to meet children and teenagers who had to work to support their families. They expressed their wishes, accompanied by smiles, for the same educational opportunities as children in other parts of the world, desiring a chance to pursue the kind of life and future they aspired to. Additionally, Afghan women, who had been deprived of their freedom to think, dress, and choose their lifestyle under the rule of the Taliban and the misogynistic culture of their country, have now embarked on a restless struggle to attain more rights and freedoms in the limited opening that has occurred in Afghan society.
Afghanistan, with its ancient, poetic, and mystic culture that has nurtured numerous Persian-language writers, is a land of vibrant colors and life. Its people are currently striving to wipe away the dust accumulated during the long years of war, seeking to restore their country's true essence—a radiant place adorned with beautiful colors. Due to the challenging and complicated situation in Afghanistan, where photography can be difficult and the reaction to professional cameras is often less than friendly, I made the decision to capture this collection using my iPhone camera
