Women of Iran, a photo from Tehran, East

Photographer's Note

I cannot speak for the women of Iran (not that I can speak for the women anywhere,) but I shall write down some of my observations. In Tehran and to lesser extent in Isfahan, young women in particular are quietly pushing the boundaries of the dress code. They go for bright colours and although they are careful to cover their hair and ankles, they do manage to look glamorous. Their high heels, fairly tight but knee high upper garments over black slacks(usually black, although I have seen white and red slacks) and fashion accessories like handbags and sunglasses perched casually on their heads, make them look very fashion conscious. The face is usually the main point of attention with makeup, false eyelashes and "escaping" in front of the headscarf are sometimes locks of a
honey coloured perm. Sometimes later I shall write about the "Iranian nose" and the lucrative (for the surgeons)corrective surgery that is de rigeur amongst both young men and women.

In Qom and other cities that have shrines to Imams, the women's attire is the respectful chador. On religious days in particular one only sees black and the only skin that is exposed is the oval shape of face.

As for this restaurant, on the left, several tables were occupied by boisterous women who cheered and hand clapped in appreciation of the live music we were listening to.The music was Turkic in style, vibrant and irresistibly joyful. Needless to say the women wore bright clothes for their evening out.

The two young women on the right were not part of the group. Our little group sitting further back comprised the only foreign element in this popular, local restaurant.By the way, the food was wonderful, the bread freshly baked in a tandoor oven and the desert heavenly.

PS: Just after we left Isfahan we heard about the acid throwing incident where several young women had acid thrown at their faces. Almost instantaneously in Tehran and Isfahan mass demonstration occurred demanding swift apprehension and severe punishment of the moronic people involved. It is interesting to note that while the Western media went the whole hog about the incident, they did not mention the people's protest and the promise by the authorities that they will do their utmost to catch those guilty.

aliabazari, omid266, Gerrit, PaulVDV, Porteplume, worldcitizen, cagla has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

aliabazari (21271) 2014-11-09 20:24

Hi Klaudio
This shot is very beautiful and attractive. Excellent composition. I love it. Thank you for sharing

omid266 (6814) 2014-11-09 20:48

Klaudio,

This is another very useful and interesting document in your Iran ,s Travel gallery,

very nice shown the restaurant in wonderful lights,

Dear Klaudio, your note and information about Iran is really wonderful and of course admirable for me,

Very well done and Thanks!

sabermonajati (11537) 2014-11-09 21:10

hi klaudio
interesting frame you captured and so note.
best regard
saber

emka (157280) 2014-11-09 22:05

Hi Klaudio, The first three critiques are from Iran :). I like this picture very much. eye catching blue fountain on the diagonal, interesting details of the interior, but specially attractive is the view of the two beautiful women, one with a mobile (everywhere :) the second looking very modern and glamorous. How big was your group? I plan to go in a small group of 2 persons. But earlier I go with Anna to Argentina and Brasil, I have already the tickets for January. Regards from my friends (and me :))

Malgo

Gerrit (62042) 2014-11-09 22:07

Hello Klaudio,
Good documentary and photo. The photo has a peeking in quality and provides a view inside a life where people are cUtious. That's the atmosphere.
Regards, gerrit

PaulVDV (62802) 2014-11-10 1:20

Hello Klaudio,
A well composed picture of a beautiful and cozy restaurant interior. The long blue fountain doesn't only add colour but also contributes to the charm of the place.
I've carefully read your notes and some things have changed since my visit in 1996.
Even then, women tried to escape the rule that the headscarf had to cover all the hair. But I never saw a headscarf worn the way the woman does at the right on the picture. Twice I've seen a woman without headscarf in front of her door but they rushed back inside seeing a foreign person in the street.
Occasionally, usually in or around a mosque, you could see a man reminding a woman (not his wife but a passenger) to wear her headscarf correct.
Even with the strict dress code women in Iran looked generally very attractive, exactly what the religious authorities wanted to avoid.
I also found the behavior of women in public places, as in tea houses, a lot more liberated than for example in some Arab countries. But there were always those strict clothing regulations.
Surprising for me is that you write that women cheered and hand clapped in appreciation of the live music. In 1996 there was no music in Iran, at least never on public places or in restaurants or tea houses. If I remember well, music was forbidden in that time.
Finally, a few times I saw women working in highly responsible positions. For example, as the head of department of a branch of Iran Air, while her employees were men. Apparently some people appreciated the talents and the commitment without looking at the gender.
During my trip through Iran I had so many wonderful encounters with the people that I really look forward to an improvement in the conditions of life and the freedom on the social level of its inhabitants.
Best regards, Paul

[2] +

kasianowak (17672) 2014-11-10 5:36

Zdravo Klaudio
Lovely interior shot with great use of complementary colours and composed around a prominent diagonal line.
Interesting daily life photo and even more interesting note - great observations about this slightly mysterious country and the picture painted in the West.
Srdacni pozdrav
Kasia

dekanski (9269) 2014-11-11 5:06

Priča je kao i uvek odlična, sa uživanjem čitam svaku. No fotografija je ne prati, više je ilustracije enterijara restorana nego tvoje priče. Razumem i zašto. Verovatno je neprijatno i nedolično u takvoj sredini direktno fotografisati ljude, pogotovo žene. Zato ti ni najmanje ne zameram, i sam sam mnogo puta bio u sličnim situacijama.

Pozdrav,

Partha_c (2029) 2014-11-13 23:26

Hi Klaudio. First I saw your shot and then read your note. Then I reversed the process. Read the note followed by seeing your beautiful composition. Literally, I was floored by the vivid description so articulately presented. Got to know much about the Iranian women coming forward though not appreciated by the morons, as you rightly put it.Thanks for sharing.
Partha

unclehotshot (4004) 2014-11-16 0:38

Hi Klaudio
Interiors and not so normal on TE; so they are interesting.
The POV is good... the long blue basin guiding the eye to the center of the photo dominated by warn golden colors.
I think the room here is interesting ...especially accompanied by your good note.
Good Sunday to you
Cheers Frank