
An Iranian girl looks out from the trunk of Sarv-e Abar-Kuh “cypress of Abar-Kuh”, also called the Zoroastrian Sarv, is a Cupressus sempervirens tree in Abarkuh, Yazd Iran. It is estimated to be over four thousand years old and may be the oldest living thing in Asia.

A lady wearing a chador posing for a photo at Persepolis. Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire (550-330 BC) during the Achaemenid dynasty. Persepolis, Iran

A woman passes in front of a badgir, the Iranian term for wind tower. These chimney-like structures, which project above the roof, expel warm air during the day and trap cooler breezes at night. Yazd.
Edit: I’m honoured and delighted that this post is featured in Freshly Pressed. Thanks for all your likes and comments and follow my Facebook Page to see my latest work and keep in touch!
I love the images you have shown : )
Great thanks!
Beautifully observed. Thanks for sharing them.
Thanks for looking and enjoying
I love the presence of blue in Iranian art and surroundings. I saw an awesome exhibit at LACMA ,that took place simultaneously as the Elizabeth Taylor in Iran exhibit, which featured a lot of really beautiful (and blue) Iranian artifacts and jewelry. Gorgeous photos!
Yes the blue is something else, as is the mastery of pattern and geometry https://blog.quintinlake.com/2012/08/15/iranian-symmetry/
These are beautiful. My father is from Iran. I have never been, so I really appreciate all the glimpses I can get 🙂
Great! You must go – its one of the most welcoming and educated countries I have travelled to
Glad to hear it! 🙂
Wonderful.. thank you so much for sharing!!
Many thanks!
Absolutely wonderful photos!
Thanks!
Such beautiful photographs, such an art, thanks so much.
Thank you!
Reblogged this on Voices and Visions and commented:
One of the oldest trees in the world — and captivating architectural photos…
Reblogged this on LIFE.IS.AWESOME and commented:
They say a picture paint a thousand words. 😀
WOW! Such stunningly beautiful photographs!
Glad you enjoyed them
Nice post .l am from Iraq, these picture,embodies the women ‘s enslavement.They can not wear like the west it’s a taboo to show any part of their bodies.They can’ vote ,drive a car or lay on the beach.
Jalal, Thanks you for you comment. I think this is a very complicated issue; I saw a woman taken away in a van by the Basij (Morality police) for accidentally showing skin on her ankle and lovers separated when meeting at dusk on Mount Tochal above Tehran. On the other hand I spoke to woman who preferred to wear the head covering as a sign of their faith. Furthermore my experience was that many people live a private life wholly different to that in public in Iran with a stoicism derived from so many regime changes within living memory. This duality is a fact of life in much of the middle east but can be seen as hypocritical in the west where people like a black and white answer to morality issues.
I agree with Quintin. This issue has religious, social, and humanitarian complexities that sometimes contradict each other. After the Iranian revolution in the late 70’s, there was a big change to protect Islam from deviation from traditional sharia law. By doing that, they will eliminate poverty, injustice, and the “plundering” of Muslim land by foreign non-believers. From a religious point of view, they are adhering to their religion while preventing bad influence from other countries hence the regulations for foreigners to also adhere to dress code in public.
About the comment on the Basij, I’ve heard they are very brutal (never visited the country and be mindful this comes from U.S. government employees who have their own views), but just like every religion, some individuals will acquire power and abuse of that power. We saw that with the Taliban in Afghanistan, Saddam Hussein in Iraq, we can see it with Christian extremists in the U.S. as well. There are probably Basij who follow the rules to ensure the islamic traditions are adhered, while there are others who enjoy the power and control they have by their position.
Just like in every country, its laws will never satisfy every citizen, its views will not always conform to the views of other countries, etc. Like it was said before, some women prefer to wear their traditional clothing while others seek towards westernized freedoms. It is easy to see these issues from an outsider’s point of view. Although I do not agree with limiting individual’s freedoms, I see the religious implications involved in the matter.
Amazing. I had the opportunity to visit Iran a couple of times in the last few years. I took some similar photos.
Glad this brought back good memories for you
What beautiful photos. I only wish you had more to show us! 🙂 Iran is a country I’ve always wanted to visit. May I ask how you traveled there? Did you have to go with a tour group? Congratulations on a well-deserved Freshly Pressed.
I’ve travelled to over 70 countries and Iran was the most welcoming with almost every preconception and prejudice built up by western media proved to be false. I travelled both within a group and alone as an independent traveller – hope you visit soon and don’t believe the hype, though as a woman you would need to adhere to the dress code in public
I enjoyed your photos. I too have traveled to Iran and it a lovely nation of hospitable people with quick smiles. Thanks for sharing!
I agree, if people around here were that friendly they would be trying to steal something!
Wow! I never looked at it this way. Thank you for the fresh perspective!
Thanks, Visiting Iran changed my perception too
It feels nice when somebody takes it to the practical journey to find out the reality of a place rather than just believing the biased media propaganda. People should learn from you. By the way a very nice and real depiction of Iran in your Photos.
Beautiful pictures! full of humanity and diversity! thanks! 🙂
that is what i was aiming for with the editing, so thanks!
I particularly liked the expression of the lady posing for the photographer, as well as the honesty of the little girl behind the window. It is amazing to be able to get a human glimpse of Iran, of everyday people and women.
Thanks, do click the image to see it larger if you haven’t – he looks so awkward and I wonder what her thoughts were
Great picture story of a culture so unfamiliar with us in the West. Thanks for sharing, and daring.
Thanks all my expectations were upturned by visiting
Love the pic with the girl at the window and the simplicity of her playing with a tiny flower. Thanks for sharing.
it was such a fleeting moment, i was very lucky!
Love your images from iran, such vivid colors. I have visited Iran only in my dreams so far.But I am very familiar with the culture and traditions , since I was married to an Iranian.Thank you for sharing and congrats for being freshly pressed
I’m sure your husband is very charming, hope you get to visit his homeland soon, perhaps you live in Tehrangeles!?
Yes , I do, well I do live outside of Therangeles, LOL!
But I know all the places In L.A. especially the great food places!! And yes by now, my Ex husband was extremely charming, way toooooooo charming !!!! Thank you for your kind respond
These images are so beautiful!!
Thanks for looking!
Nice, the people there are lovely, except I can’t say the same for their government and religious clerics who promote terrorism. But the people themselves are naturally good people, nice and very hospital and welcoming.
While I agree with your views on the people I don’t agree there is an agenda of “promoting terrorism” and if there is, the dominant world powers surely are equally responsible by using violence in foreign lands. Dont forget Iran lost 500,000 soldiers in the Iran-!raq war ending in 1988, I’m sure the last thing desired is another war.
The blog at Iranaware at WordPress provides videos transcripts that disagree with that. Seems like the government is thirsty for one
This is the media propaganda that he was talking about in his earlier comments. The media makes you believe that it is Iran which is hell-bent on a war with West but reality is the other way round. These are just things they use to justify to their own people their military aggression. They did it before invading Afhganistan, then again before invading Iraq, was Iraq also taking it to war with west or what happened to those claims of Weapons of Mass destruction, they intervened in Libya which is now in a civil war, destroyed Sudan, What else do you want. Now they want you to believe in their justification of invading Iran. I hope people in West understand where their tax money is being used and for what purposes.
I agree about America, the government there is corrupt. All countries are corrupt, they use their own people as tools for their ambitions. History proves this and history repeats. I cannot name one country that has a innocent government. Not America, they are as bad if not worse than their Russian and Chinese counterparts, they’re just more discreet. It’s like Hitler, he killed the Jews, a terrible thing to do, but England, although took no direct part in the killings, refused to bomb the camps, plus turned back thousands of refugees to sure death. It’s not the people, it’s the governments, and those rich insiders.
BTW: I am not a westerner, I was born so, but not one anymore. I enjoy the Middle East and the East more than the West. The people here are wonderful.
Beautiful! I love the baker’s face, great moments
I thought his face was timeless – could have been a thousand years ago. Thanks
Nice photos. I believe your photos make a different story in life of these people.
Glad you think so
Love the first three because:
1) you’ve captured beautifully the little girl’s playful mood in the moment within the earthy textures of the aging tree;
2) great contrast between the grey of the ground and the black of the clothing – this photo makes me feel uncomfortable in a good way;
3) there is a hint of mystery produced by not being able to see all of the subject’s face or the contents of the room behind the intricate wood façade.
Your photographs portray Iran to be a place of contradictions and mystery. I am intrigued.
Wow. Just viewed your portfolio. I feel a little silly now commenting on the work of such an established photographer. I hope you don’t mind. I was especially moved by ‘Documentary: Arctic Greenland’ and ‘Pripyat: 21 Years After Chernobyl’. I also love the premise of your book ‘Drawing Parallels’. As a graduate architect still fine tuning my path in architecture I really admire your work and am inspired about career possibilities of an architectural education.
you’ve picked out my two favourite portfolios! I studied the full 7 years of architecture and use much of what I learnt when looking through the camera. all the best with your career
1-yes i really enjoyed the contrast of two living things 2. Yes its super uncomfortable, check out this close up http://quintinlake.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/Persepolis-Iran/G0000a9WdicGIPOo/I00000VhIToQjpl4/C0000HzDBLvKRAFE
glad you are intrigued!
Beautifull pictures i love iran and their culture. thanks for sharing
Thanks Saeed
Beautiful photos. Love it all! Love the composition and the subjects used on all the snaps. Good job on being Freshly Pressed! 🙂
Thanks, its a good feeling!
Love your pictures. I am an avid amateur fan of the various architectures in the Middle East, and am looking to use what I learn to build it into a storybook world =)
Islamic architecture has a lot to teach us, enjoy the journey!
these are such beautiful pictures. awesome talent you have there 🙂
Thanks so much
Lovely photos. Reminiscent of a book I have on Afghanistan from the 1980s.
I like seeing people as they are – not posed, but just natural, and you’ve achieved that.
Thats the greatest compliment you could give, thank you! A natural look is what I strive for
Simply dynamic ! Pleasing composition. Congratulations on being freshly pressed.
Thanks Shruty!
wowww your photos are incredible!!!! seriously, beautiful, provocative, intriguing stuff. congrats! you’re very talented, sir!
hey thanks!
Beautiful images! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for stopping by and looking
Your pictures are beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Congratulations on getting Freshly Pressed.
I don’t know much about Iran but I do find it to be a very intriguing country.
Please feel free to visit my blog at http://germch55.wordpress.com for virtual tours of New York.
Thanks It is intriguing, hope you can visit one day. All the best with your blog
I just traveled to Iran last year to visit family. Thank you for your beautiful photos, they remind me a lot of “back home!”
Roya
http://www.royaghorbani.wordpress.com
Glad they brought back good memories – I miss that bread and its not even my home!
Im sure you enjoyed the bright light there and amazing shapes to discover. Im glad you captured different sides of the people there, not all negative. I used to work at a photography museum here in the san diego area. It would have been great to have seen them show works like these. Best of luck to you.
many thanks, I’d love to exhibit these one day, particularly as there are a lot of negative stereotypes around this subject
Reblogged this on doodlejuice.
Thanks for reblogging!
Absolutely stunning.
Thanks Mechasketch!
Reblogged this on Rashid’s Blog.
[…] Glimpses of Iran […]
I’m from Iran, but now, NOW, Iran is SHIT! Because of these sheiks which took over Iran 30 years ago from the Shah (King) of Iran… I mean, come on! What do these women from Iran need to hide from us by wearing chadors (black coverings). Those Sheiks have stolen all those antiques from Iran and sold them to the UK’s Museum. They also banned night club’s, alcohol and much more I don’t remember. They don’t give many people freedom of all those things from above what I said. So yeah..
I think the Iranian people are wiser than their rulers – after all they have seen a lot of changes in the last two thousand years!
You can say that.
[…] Glimpses of Iran […]
Iran, one of the country which I want visited 🙂 thks for sharing..
Cheers Eric, you should go!
[…] Glimpses of Iran […]
[…] Glimpses of Iran […]
I love the photos. It’s amazing how pictures can speak volumes about places, people and cultures. And your photos do exactly that – speak, a LOT! 🙂 Congratulations on being Freshly Pressed.
Hi Roshni, Thanks for turning the volume up!
beautiful – just beautiful!
Thanks Carmel
Reblogged this on The Chronicles of Johanan Rakkav and commented:
I never stop being fascinated by the endless facets of the human drama, and one of my favorite facets is the interaction of humans, their culture and their architecture with their environment…
“interaction of humans, their culture and their architecture “is exactly my interest and fascination in the power of photography – thanks for the reblog
The women and girls are so suppressed and repressed. Connie
http://7thandvine.wordpress.com/
Hi Connie, while i agree there are some serious equality/ human rights issues Most Iranian women I met live a double life that you don’t see on the street or in my photos. But for us in the west who have the same values in public as private it certainly seems very different
Nicely presented. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Manzuranam
Reblogged this on Paderborner 'SJ' Blog.
Thanks for reblogging
Very nice pictures! Great Blog! 🙂
Thanks Tahiira
You are Welcome! 🙂 I followed your blog! if you would like to Follow mine too you can check it out here ==> http://ashadiyah.wordpress.com/ thanks.. Have a nice Day! 🙂
[…] Glimpses of Iran […]
beautiful!
Thanks Jenny
[…] Glimpses of Iran […]
Unas fotos excelentes!!!
Thanks Pedro!
Sweet of you to be so honoured. It would be an honour, yes. You sort of wonder how it captures their eye.
These are great photos. I remember an Iranian girl coming to school when I was about 14. She suddenly joined. Her name was Rania – & I remember her last name, too! Where she came from was unknown & unimagined to me, & we did not relate. I can see now, what was most likely her story.
I do wonder why the chadors are black. And the little girl at the window – reminds me of my cat wishing it could be an outdoors cat, in the grass. Excellent insight, to me. I really enjoyed it – thanks 🙂
Noeleen
http://www.VodkaWasMyMuse.wordpress.com
http://www.WordsFallFromMyEyes.wordpress.com
(when’s wordpress getting a LOVE button!)
Hi Noeleen, I think the chadors are black as they absorb reflection so are even less likely to show the form of the woman below than a colour – and the whole point (not that I’m condoning it!) is to depersonalise the female form so uniformity is seen as piety. Glad you enjoyed it
Hello
My husband is from Iran and I have been most fortunate to visit twice. The last time was three years ago. We took a couple American friends with us and visited about every corner. Your photos are beautiful – I loved Yazd! I wish more folks could visit – the country is so very much like ours. Visiting with family makes it so much better!
Yes i agree there are many similarities – that is the profound thing about travel – that these differences are mostly in our minds. Yazd is my favourite too
What lovely photos. Hope to see this part of the world one day.
Thanks, its a life changing country to travel to – i hope you do!
Wow thanks for the photos..have always wanted to visit Iran, and have just finished reading The Carpet Wars..now very keen. Time to start planning!
Yes do! sounds an interesting book
I’m from IRAN.I appreciate the photos not merely for their beauty, but rather for the nice gathering of elements which show the very authentic being of Iran’s Culture! But my friend, Culture in its artistic sense, account for a very small little portion of reality!
Hi Mostafa, thanks for stopping by and i’m glad you feel these images are authentic. And yes I agree artistic culture is indeed a small portion of reality!
Excellent images, congratulations Quintin. Your compositions, contrast in colors, and the affectionate portrayal of your subjects are exquisite. I was in Yazd many years ago working on a documentary about earthen architecture. I went back to Iran two years ago and made a documentary called THE IRAN I REMEMBER. It will screen in Cincinnati on Sept 10, and in Seattle on Sept 15. More info at http://TheIranIRemember.com.
[…] Glimpses of Iran […]
Reblogged this on The Spirited Soul and commented:
One of the most amazing journeys I have taken was with my American school chum to the land of origin: Jordan and the Holy Land. The East can be a wonderland for the senses that fills the soul. It hurts to know the amount of strife and bloodshed that has gone on there. These photos by Quintin Lake stir up all those emotions.
Pleased to share the August picks section with you! Your photographs are extraordinary. Best wishes to you!
Thanks aviatrixkim, its a good feeling isn’t it!
Indeed! It’s been a fun week. Your post, it seems, was everyone’s favorite. 🙂 (And it was my favorite, too.)
Reblogged this on bellakatdotme.
Your insight and sensitivity into the duality and complexities of your subjects is beautifully articulated in within your art.
Thank you bellakatme, you have articulated beautifully what I try to achieve with my photography. I may steal your sentence for my next bio!
[…] Glimpses of Iran […]
Love it! I’m an 22yr old Iranian and live in London but let me tell you Iran is a BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY WITH A BEAUTIFUL CULTURE.
I’m a 22 year old!
I put you a question!
Lovely shots. Strategic, professional and simple presentation. Some level of excellence, portrayed with ease. Good work, keep it up!
Cheers teeceecounsel, i will try!
Stunning photos!
Thanks Kalen
[…] Glimpses of Iran […]
I`m do interested in your photos dear Quintin,
I`m also fascinated that how Iranian & European Architecture share same fundamentals. Both are Modular and based on Modules, Domes and 4 Arch halls, etc.. The most confusing difference that may cheat our eyes is the Material. Since the Iranian Architectures are mostly created by Soil and the European one by Stone,
All these people and cultures (Iranians & Europeans) are from same cultural and religious origins, But that`s amazing that historical events gradually made these people unfamiliar…
What magnificent photographs! Thank you for showing the human face of Iran. I feel the rulers of some countries are shaping up for a fight and we need all the human-face publicity possible to try to counteract the demonetization that makes it “acceptable” to go to war against another country. It would be hard to go to war against a little girl in a venerable tree or a baker with a face like that one! Your own humanity and depth of understanding shines through these photos. Thank you again!
You have done a commendable job and you really deserved to be there in freshly pressed. your work is intriguing and leaves the viewers with no other choice but to hit that follow button.
First of all, congratulations on being Freshly Pressed!
I particularly like the photograph of the lady against the blue tiles. Lovely!
Thanks Marianne, its made all the years of anonymous blogging worth it to have a great audience now
Awesome pics – thanks for sharing!
[…] Glimpses of Iran This photo essay documents quiet, unexpected moments of daily life in Iran and captures the delicious details and textures of Yzad and elsewhere. The collection of six photographs illustrates quality over quantity—each image is strong, well-composed, and tells its own story. […]
Lovely pictures of Iran Quitin, Looking forward to browse through more of them…
Thanks! Love you! Jyo
Blog Site for book ‘Build it With Love’: http://jyoaadarsh.wordpress.com/
Amazing photos!
very creative and beautiful…
It is wonderful to behold.
Thanks Hyacinth
Love it! Really interesting!
http://www.vibekejohannessen.com
When visiting Iran, be careful not to get beaten up by police or arrested. I experienced both: http://andreasmoser.wordpress.com/2009/07/30/reports-about-my-trip-to-iran-in-junejuly-2009/
[…] Glimpses of Iran […]
Your article published by freshly pressed on Iran was terrific,.. I will follow your blog and hope you will follow my blog as well. beebeesworld
Not typically rendered speechless, but your photographs are absolutely stunning. You already know how beautifully they are, suffice it to say I’ve been staring at them for 20 minutes. Incredible work.
Thanks Danya, i’ll have to try not to let these compliments go to me head!
Fabulous captures. Wonderful images. Thanks for sharing!
beautiful images, they relate to our recent post too
http://halfopendoor.wordpress.com/
beautiful images, they relate to our recent post too, http://halfopendoor.wordpress.com/
Your Photographs are truly amazing !
Thanks rasselbd!
These are beautiful! These photos really capture the mood of Iran! And congratulations on being listed as the editor’s pick 🙂
Thanks anvita!
Really enjoyed these pix – especially the ones with the tree trunk and the tile for their textures and colour respectively.
Thanks Sarah!
Beautiful pictures. I hope to see Iran someday!
I hope you do
stunning images – glad you were featured otherwise I’d never have found them!
Thanks Julz!
I appreciate seeing these photos of Iran. I lived there for nine months, but that was many years ago–before the Iranian Revolution. The photos of Persepolis are wonderful. They carry me back to a time when my life was radically changed.
You lived through interesting times
Beautiful picture— offers a glimpse of a world that i would love to visit some day!
Thanks Rohini, hope you visit soon
I’m a Middle Eastern and North African Studies major and its always rare to see the beauty of Iran because of all the negative media, When I saw your pictures it literally took my breath away! They are gorgeous! your pictures MADE MY DAY! THANK YOU!
Wow. I love every picture. Everything is just so surreal. This is so inspiring. Thanks for letting us see behind the curtains of the real Iran.
Thanks Bem!
Bread and badigir pictures to remember..holes in food and holes in building ventilates and bakes well/intakes well too
Great observation I hadn’t seen that parallel before “Bread & Badgdir” would make a great post or book title
hmmmm..
I’m fron Iran and these were honest, beautiful and touching shots. I love them!
It’s amazing to see your homeland through someone else’s eyes … Thank you.
Its quite a responsibility to portray the truth – so thanks!
Wow! Your photographs are amazing! Congratulations for the Freshly Pressed post.
Kind greetings,
Marianne
Thanks Marianne, thanks for stopping by!
[…] https://blog.quintinlake.com/2012/08/15/faces-of-iran-2/ […]
[…] Glimpses of Iran […]
Beautiful pictures. I very nice !. veya çok güzel
Thanks mahmutsait
[…] Glimpses of Iran […]
beautiful images… i plan to visit iran too inshAllah
inshAllah
Congrats on the Editor’s selection. These images are wonderful glimpses into Iranian culture.
Thanks Hutch!
Stunning pictures from my home land. Thank you for sharing them. I’m an Iranian and live in Canada; and also I’ve been visited most part of Iran. I’d really loved your perspective and showing the real beauty of Iran. I was a book publisher back then and traveled a lot. And have some photos from Yazd, too. But not as beautiful as yours. Anyway, just wanted to say your amazing photos, took me to those years.
I’m new with blogging and so glad to find your blog and website and I’ll follow it. I wish you all the best.
Best regards,
Shahrzad
Hi Shahrzad,
Thanks for stopping by. I’m glad you think i’ve done justice to your homeland and brought back some fond memories. Yazd really captured my imagination.
All the best with your new blog and greetings from England
Quintin
Wow. This pictures are amazing.
Hi, it’s nice to see beautiful pictures of a beautiful people. Although Canadian, I have worked in the Middle East for 13 years, but have never been to Iran although I treasure my Iranian carpet (and a painting by architect Spencer Tart). It’s my wish that the gracious people of Persia (who have not harmed another country in 300 years) be safe in the coming months as the warmongers of the world rattle their swords to disturb the beauty which you have vividly captured in your work. God bless.
Reblogged this on findfavor.
Interesting Captures…
[…] Glimpses of Iran […]
[…] https://blog.quintinlake.com/2012/08/15/faces-of-iran-2/ […]
Nice pictures! 🙂
[…] Glimpses of Iran […]
Thank you for an opportunity to see Iran in a new light.
Glad you enjoyed it Kathleen
Wonderful glimpses into Iranian culture…Congrats being on Freshly pressed!
Great photos. I’ve been to Iran myself (twice) and find it always interesting how different people “look” in different ways. Your photos give me yet another nudge to go visit once more, but I already have other plans for this year and next spring. I will surely go back though!
You can see some of my own photos of Iran here: http://www.redbubble.com/people/marjoleink/portfolio/iran
Nice photos, gives a insight into Iranian culture.
iran my love you
lovely photos
I’m new to your blog, and so delighted to have discovered you through Freshly Pressed.You are an incredible talent. Your photographs are amazing. I’m now a follower. (Sounds kind of cult-ish, ‘eh? lol). Take care. xo
Thanks for your kind comments Julia. I can assure you this won’t end in Waco surrounded by SWAT teams!
[…] Glimpses of Iran […]
[…] 19/ Glimpses of Iran More >> […]
I remember seeing it, now, Quentin! You captured it amazingly. Many congratulations.
Wonderful pictures brother. I’ve always wanted to visit this country. Thanks for the glimpse.
Cheers Josh. Agree that Travel & Minimalism go great together. There’s nothing like the feeling of having everything you need on your back
Absolutely.
your images are really worth thousand words but right now I am speechless!
Thanks Anki!
[…] I’m delighted that this post is featured in Freshly Pressed. Check out “Glimpses Of Iran” which was Freshly Pressed last year. Thanks for all your likes and comments and follow my Facebook […]
[…] Glimpses of Iran […]
amazing pictures dear..as already been written on one of the comments above…a picture speaks a thousand words..so true
[…] out “Glimpses Of Iran” which was Freshly Pressed last […]
These are beautiful pictures… 🙂
hey thanks!