The Nuclear Deal, Through Iranians’ Eyes (2015)
As soon as Iran agreed to the nuclear deal last summer with the United States and five other countries, Iranians burst into conversation about what difference, if any, the accord would make to their day-to-day lives. In taxis, offices and homes, everyone was talking about it, some expressing optimism, others skepticism.
Inspired by August Sander’s series of portraits of his fellow Germans in the early 20th century, I set out to capture a cross section of people in Tehran and Mashhad in their professional or private spaces. I asked everyone I photographed what the deal and the lifting of a decade of economic sanctions meant for them; their answers became an integral part of my project.
I used my iPhone camera instead of a regular lens because it seemed to make people feel more comfortable and answer more candidly. In each case, I imposed a piece of glass between myself and the subject, or used another reflective surface to cast the setting onto the subject. My intention was to represent the effects of the environment on a person’s life.
Before this project, I had assumed that all Iranians would welcome the deal. But I came to realize that people’s work, beliefs and economic class deeply affected their response. Some have more reason to hope than others. As a butcher in Tehran told me, “I think only rich people will see some changes in their life. Just look at the increase in the price of beef.”
But from my point of view, this deal will give us a safer world.
Inspired by August Sander’s series of portraits of his fellow Germans in the early 20th century, I set out to capture a cross section of people in Tehran and Mashhad in their professional or private spaces. I asked everyone I photographed what the deal and the lifting of a decade of economic sanctions meant for them; their answers became an integral part of my project.
I used my iPhone camera instead of a regular lens because it seemed to make people feel more comfortable and answer more candidly. In each case, I imposed a piece of glass between myself and the subject, or used another reflective surface to cast the setting onto the subject. My intention was to represent the effects of the environment on a person’s life.
Before this project, I had assumed that all Iranians would welcome the deal. But I came to realize that people’s work, beliefs and economic class deeply affected their response. Some have more reason to hope than others. As a butcher in Tehran told me, “I think only rich people will see some changes in their life. Just look at the increase in the price of beef.”
But from my point of view, this deal will give us a safer world.
