Tehran is a visual feast. Part 1970s time capsule, part ideological showcase, part cultural battleground, Iran's capital city is also, regrettably, a tough place in which to take good photographs. The city draws remarkably few foreigners these days, so any visitor with a camera is quickly noticed. Because official Iran asserts a monopoly over the country's image, pro-government basijis -- a plainclothes militia -- can be relied upon to turn up unfriendly, unannounced, and obstructive if you turn your camera on a sensitive subject. Nevertheless, when visiting Tehran -- as I did most recently when reporting for FP this past June and July -- I have always enjoyed taking in its aesthetic ironies. The strong reactions I elicited whenever I pulled out my camera renewed my admiration for the Iran-based photographers who make the tense political atmosphere and cultural fault lines in this great city palpable. The following selections from the wire services serve to illustrate these phenomena.
ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images
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ONEN
8:03 PM ET
October 15, 2011
At home with the children
I remembered I took very beautiful pictures there. Just like the one above, it's not something you get in your own country.
I specially like taking pictures of Iranian children. I can't help but feel the link and the feeling of being at home when I see the kids even though I often feel out of place here. CD
MIKEGUERRO10
1:27 AM ET
October 16, 2011
Nice shots!
I remember when I was doing this kind of shots for my kids. INfoaye
STEEL
6:03 AM ET
October 18, 2011
Re: City Of Clichés
Very good pictures,
light, exposure, etc. odkuwki
Cool about the reportage
REBORN
7:26 AM ET
November 4, 2011
Opened my eyes
From the collection of these photos, it has opened my eyes about a very closed country that have got many foreign influences in their daily life, especially American influence. I like the picture with title "Do not neglect the familiar". I think the next few years, Iran will be like the United Arab Emirates who live in a luxury, build a fountain such as The Dubai Fountain and living with western influence is greater. Of course, this condition can occur when no war.