Celebrating the splendidness of Iranian architecture -

The portrait of Iran is often rendered unappealing and revolting by the western media. In contrast to this awful picture, self taught Iranian photographer Mohammad Domiri paints a rather vibrant image of his country through a series of panoramic photographs of mosques and palaces.

Domiri’s photographs reflects the fine Iranian architecture that displays great variety, both structurally and aesthetically. Iranian architecture makes use of abundant symbolic geometry, using pure forms such as circles and squares, and plans are based on often symmetrical layouts featuring rectangular courtyards and halls.

The photographs highlight some of the Persian design elements that have persisted throughout the history of Iran. The most striking are a marked feeling for scale and a discerning use of simple and massive forms. The consistency of decorative preferences, the high-arched portal set within a recess, columns with bracket capitals, and recurrent types of plan and elevation can also be mentioned.

Domiri shot these images using special wide-angle lenses to capture all the details including colourful stained glass windows, intricate geometrical decoration and intricate mosaic works in a single photograph. Besides, having to shoot during the daytime when the light is best, it is also challenging to capture such fabulous results due to heavy restrictions on photography imposed by the mosques. Excellent documentation that deserves a huge round of applause. Bravo Mohammed Domiri!