Incredible Images Capture Dazzling Symmetry of Iran s Mosques
It s a side of Iran the rest of the world doesn t normally get to see -- the kaleidoscopically brilliant interiors of the country s intricately designed mosques. With beautiful mosaics and stained glass framed by powerful architecture, the buildings are astounding, CNN reported.
Incredible Images Capture Dazzling Symmetry of Iran's Mosques
It's a side of Iran the rest of the world doesn't normally get to see -- the kaleidoscopically brilliant interiors of the country's intricately designed mosques.
With beautiful mosaics and stained glass framed by powerful architecture, the buildings are astounding, CNN reported.
Their fine detail has been captured in a series of breathtaking photographs by Mohammad Reza Domri Ganji, a 24-year-old physics student from Babol, a city in Iran's northern Mazandaran province.
What's equally incredible is that Ganji's skills behind the lens are largely self-taught from watching internet tutorials.
Add to that the difficulties of actually taking high quality photos in mosques, where using equipment such as tripods is heavily restricted.
Ganji says his project to document mosque interiors and other Iranian landmarks began in 2008 after he was inspired by images taken inside Egypt's pyramids.
"The photos had aesthetically documented those historical sites and made me highly amazed and inspired," he tells CNN.
"I wondered if I could take similar pictures of historical sites, and so through my trips all around Iran, I began to find old mosques suitable for taking interior pictures."
Ganji uses fisheye and other wide angle lenses and panoramic tripods to create his photos, sometimes digitally stitching several images to create composites.
Often, his work involves an early start.
"I prefer mornings, as the light is more appropriate and there are fewer people around," he says. "In the afternoon, these places are usually crowded, and in the evenings, some of them are closed for praying rituals."
"I prefer mornings, as the light is more appropriate and there are fewer people around," he says. "In the afternoon, these places are usually crowded, and in the evenings, some of them are closed for praying rituals."
Ganji says he prefers capturing the interiors of mosques with symmetry, interior columns, good lighting and beautiful mosaics.
"I also like buildings that are well known, popular and important. Although there are many people and tourists taking pictures of those places, and there are numerous images on the internet, I enjoy showing them in my own way."
"I also like buildings that are well known, popular and important. Although there are many people and tourists taking pictures of those places, and there are numerous images on the internet, I enjoy showing them in my own way."
"In spite of that, I'm sincerely happy that my work is now being seen worldwide and that I've been able to show Iran to others through my art."
Ganji says he's hoping to augment his image series by visiting more historic sites in Iran and also hopes to travel to photograph other religions' holy sites.
Ganji says he's hoping to augment his image series by visiting more historic sites in Iran and also hopes to travel to photograph other religions' holy sites.
