These Photos Of Old Iranian Mosques Redefine Symmetry

23 years old photographer, Mohammad Reza Domiri Ganji, from Babol, Iran took it upon himself to document the old beauty found in Iran. He is shooting Mosques , Hammams (bathrooms ) , Symbols , Churches , historical sites , Old houses , Special structures , Windcatchers, giving a unique point of view on those hard to shoot locations.

The symmetry in Mohammad’s photography is incredible and while the places are amazing in their own right, Mohammad’s definitely adds his touch to each photo.

While most of the photography is done in public places, getting ‘pro’ gear such as tripods is usually forbidden. We asked Mohammad how he approached them:

… most of them [the locations] are famous places with public access , only you have to by ticket and go there in the right time that they are open, but , using “Tripod” is banned inside most of these historical sites , also some places are in a Repair and some of their important halls are closed .

I usually first visit the place , or study about it by searching on internet or seeing some other pics . and then decide if I am going to take my photo or not .

Before my travel , I spend almost a 3,4 days doing paper works to get access and license for using Tripod . (And even though I am getting a license, I have experienced many Difficulties or even Conflicts accessing some of the places like Aliqapu , Persepolis , 8 heavens … )

As for the symmetry, Mohammad leaved nothing for chance, it is all patience and passion:

First of all , I really care about Symmetry in Architecture photography, I count Mosaics of the ground both vertical and horizontally to find the center point of that Structure and put my Tripod exactly on that center point. Then I usually use live view mode of my camera and also do my best to have my tripod straight . After that , and in Edit I use almost all straighten tools of Lightroom + photoshop to have my pics completely Symmetric ( if the pic is a Panorama it would be even easier reach symmetry if you really took that on the Center of the building or any space )