Forbidden paradise, a photo from Tehran, East

Photographer's Note

The Guide of the Revolution, Ruhollah Khomeyni ... on a non-completed billboard at Vanak Square, North of Teheran.

The metallic scaffold, based in the grass, and combined with those staring eyes and the "paradise" in his beard below, tells many things.

I let you decide what.

[ tech: I hesitated to post it B/W... anyone wants to try it? ;) ]

zapady, digi-mom, janwalt, rozy975, ngythanh, rabani, Davids, chiaretta oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

Rhiannon (1728) 2003-11-25 7:25

Wow! Until I read your note I thought you´ve did all of this in PS with 4 or 5 different pictures!
Knowing this is a "real" makes it even better. It look a bit surreal and with a nice metaphoric message in it. I love the shadows too. Original, great composition, colors and idea.
Well seen, well captured.

[3]

ninadev (5377) 2003-11-25 7:30

The scafolding and the eyes have this same sharp look, even if the Kohmeyni has flours drawn below his face. So contradictory that it's very scary. Nice capture Sebastien and well done.

martin (1242) 2003-11-25 7:46

A really powerful image. You have chosen your viewpoint carefully, so that the scaffolding 'frames' the eyes and the mouth.

[2]

Gatis (925) 2003-11-25 10:07

Much prise here goes to the artist, who started this picture as well ;)

Ebbe (9625) 2003-11-25 15:24

WOW - Such a powerful picture, and especially together with your explanation. Before I read it my first impression was of old church ceilings were God allmighty looks down on us from a dramatically clouded sky. The scaffolding and their shadows also reminds me of christian church paintings, this time of the crosses at Golgata. So much symbolism in my impression and so much in the true story too. This goes to favorites!

[2]

michalsh (285) 2003-11-25 15:28

abslutly magnifisent shot with a very strong message - great work

jrj (34843) 2003-11-26 3:43

Well seen, well composed, interesting comments. Well done. Why BW? For me very good as it is!

henrye (3500) 2003-11-26 5:35

This is brilliant! Very well seen and captured. I agree that there is a thousand stories in those eyes. Well done!

Luko (14000) 2003-11-26 11:06

Like Rhiannon, I also thought from the icon this was a montage until I opened the image.

needless to say this is a fantastic photo opportunity that you actually caught. Just for the symbol I would have like a worker on the lower right bottom turning his back to the Mollah's face and going away.
Did you notice the portrait is accurately oriented towards the left side, which is for western readers symbol of the past...

[3]

mtolloczko (201) 2003-11-28 23:46

Good capture of a masterly painting. The eyes speak volumes.

maciekda (19895) 2003-11-29 0:31

this is an interesting picture, those scaffolding and their shadow really make the picture unique, and the paining is really beaufuul, the way he looks from the wall is special - warm and wise... very good, very orignal photo

touristdidi (8583) 2003-12-01 9:23

dramatic.... hard to believe such a cruel man has a photo with flowers in his beard....

[2]

cool_krishna (465) 2003-12-03 1:43

Hi Sebastien,
I am new here.. and this is my first critique.

This pic kind of gave an initial look as if the face is painted on a sail of a huge ship, with the scaffoldings looking like part of a ship.
Anyhow the pic is nice though I think the shadows of the scaffoldings seem a little distracting. Also the area below (grass etc) seems to be a little distracting too.

[2]

Vagabond (5848) 2003-12-03 12:04

Interesting and dramatic photo ..
I like it as it is but I did an WS as asked

[workshop] [compare]

liakoshim (565) 2003-12-11 11:31

very simbolic. well seen. congrats!

pascalbene (1717) 2003-12-16 14:37

Depuis que tu as pris cette photo, ce vieil homme a disparu. les échafaudages aussi sans doute. C'est trčs beau.

jhaider (1234) 2004-01-02 12:42

Bravo,
Mille interpretations peuvent accompagner cette photo d'un pays peu visité et récemment sinistré.
Peut etre que la bande d'herbe est en trop ?

Bonne Année 2004

meyavuz (741) 2004-01-12 1:01

Very nice mixture of real and non-real. Scary though..

janwalt (263) 2004-08-27 13:06

This is a very poignant photo Sebastien. Very original and a great concept, well captured. Thanks for posting this.

photoniall (0) 2004-11-08 6:31 [Comment]

Show Comment

Ania_Madina (628) 2004-11-12 11:50

viewers said all before me...i just want to say: congratulations!

KevRyan (22956) 2005-01-23 18:54

Sebastien - this is really good - I like the point you are making - or leaving us to decide on - a nice frame on the face and a good observation.

ngythanh (8458) 2005-04-10 13:50

Your photo got me dumb and mute. It opens my eyes.

Thanks.

bunnycake (89) 2005-04-10 13:56

This is a great picture. The use of the scaffolding (and the shadows) to support the image of the face works well. Very powerful.

hajle (1087) 2005-05-12 6:10

great shot,beautiful perspective and it's so powerful!!!
well done!
greetings!
sławek

rabani (9645) 2006-01-19 5:05

A fine impression. Simple and not gaudy. People see straight the message or the principle behind it but not its artistic quality. Heaven. The only planet or universe where the launch vehicle, is in our heart.

irfanat67 (223) 2007-10-08 22:38

Very interesting picture, Sebastien. In my humble opinion, I think it's better in colour than b/w. The colour will give better expression. Well done.
Regards, irfan

fahrik (175) 2010-08-04 4:23 [Comment]