Following the Iranian Revolution of 1979, the United States imposed sanctions against Iran. In 2006, discussions surrounding the Iranian Nuclear Program prompted the US, UN, and other Western nations to expand the sanctions. These restrictions severely impacted Iran's economy and caused widespread pessimism among Iranians regarding their future.
I captured this series of photographs on the streets of Tehran during the sanctions, between 2012 and 2020. Throughout this period, people felt the looming threat of war and experienced a significant decrease in their purchasing power as prices skyrocketed day by day.
At times, I took candid shots, but often I patiently waited for "the decisive moment" when the perfect combination of action, light, and other elements came together to create an ideal composition. The interplay of light and composition greatly interests me in my photography, and I capture striking and visually appealing graphic elements wherever I encounter them.
To me, street scenes serve as a reflection of the profound inner life of Iranian society. Therefore, I opted to photograph on the streets using a small camera (my iPhone) in order to establish a closer connection with my subjects.