Men of God by Omid Salehi (July 31, 2009) 
(2 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5)
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Categories / Documentary Portraiture / Documentary Reportage / / Click here to open comments section, click again when done to close / Comments Off
Artist statement
My name is Omid Salehi. I was born in 1972 in Shiraz, Iran. At the age of seventeen, I became interested in photography. After two years of studying at the Iranian young cinema society, I applied for university admission and was admitted in two fields: Graphics in a state university and Photography in the Azad University. I decided to take both courses. I work as a photographer for more than ten newspapers. My field of interest is social documentary. I choose various aspects of daily life in the Iranian society. Life of a "holy man", as presented here, or life of a prostitute. I like to focus on simplicity, showing the importance of daily events. For me, photography is a way to study deeper layers of social life in my country, Iran. Omid Salehi on the web: fanoosphoto.com [note: link currently inactive] silkroadphoto.com jadidonline.com
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Poll results
Our poll "A photo essay always needs a great written story" closed. 267 people voted, 28% agrees, 72% disagrees. 233 people answered our follow-up question "Are you a photographer?" 82% indicated they are, 18% said no. Initially, negative answers to question #1 were almost 100% as was the pecentage of photographers among respondants. Then, when the level of non-photographers started to rise, the percentage of people indicating good text is always essential started to rise too. This seems to indicate that non-photographers think that adding good text to your photo essays is essential. In my opinion: if you want non-photographers to dig your work, you know what to do...
Posted in category 647
Our poll "A photo essay always needs a great written story" closed. 267 people voted, 28% agrees, 72% disagrees. 233 people answered our follow-up question "Are you a photographer?" 82% indicated they are, 18% said no. Initially, negative answers to question #1 were almost 100% as was the pecentage of photographers among respondants. Then, when the level of non-photographers started to rise, the percentage of people indicating good text is always essential started to rise too. This seems to indicate that non-photographers think that adding good text to your photo essays is essential. In my opinion: if you want non-photographers to dig your work, you know what to do...
It's unusual and not easy to take pictures or create a photo-story about Iranian clergymen. Normally they don't give permission to enter their private world. But I have some religious friends that helped me by giving me access to their homes and to the classes they are teaching, showing me their relationship to other people in various situations. I was lucky to be able to live with Mr. Haj Amjad who is one of the teachers of younger clergymen. I worked on this project for eight months. At first, it was difficult to make a friendly connection with them. They could not understand why a strangely dressed and beardless guy would stand there all the time, holding a camera, always observing them through the viewfinder. I could not understand their way of life either. But as time passed we opened up to eachother. They began to talk to me and the relationship became easier. I've even slept in their room occassionaly.
Omid Salehi (1972) lives and works in Tehran, Iran.
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Posted in category 647
