The Desert Sedation: A Captivating Photography Project

Confronting the Toughness of the Desert with the Purity of a Woman

The main idea behind The Desert Sedation project is to explore the dramatic paradox between the tranquility of the desert and the challenging way of life in that environment. Shahandeh's vision was to find an allegory that could define the beauty and purity of the desert, and it was through the portrayal of a woman that this vision came to life.

The project features a woman wearing traditional clothes from Bandar Abbas, a southern city in Iran. Two powerful symbols are incorporated into The Desert Sedation project. The first is a third henna tattooed hand, representing the traditional way of life in the desert. The second symbol is a butterfly, symbolizing the meaning of life and the soul's purity.

The Desert Sedation project stands out due to its unique approach to capturing the essence of the desert and the purity of a woman. Shahandeh's photographs were shot using a Canon 5D Mark III camera with a 24-105mm lens and a Speedlite 430EX III with a golden reflector. The original photos are 100cm x 100cm in size, emphasizing the grandeur and impact of the images.

Shahandeh's composition and coloring techniques in The Desert Sedation project are intentionally simple, allowing the middle eastern mysterious atmosphere to evolve. The classical Persian face of the young photo model, combined with the presence of the butterfly and the third hand, creates a conceptual and mysterious atmosphere in the photographs.

The Desert Sedation project was photographed in October 2016 in Yazd, Iran. The location was carefully chosen to capture the essence of the desert and its unique beauty. Shahandeh's research for this project involved finding icons and symbols that could bridge the gap between the beauty of a woman and the tranquility of the desert. The butterfly, a symbol of evolution and deep love in Persian literature, and the henna tattooed hand, a holy icon in Middle Eastern mythology, were the perfect choices to create a conceptual and mysterious atmosphere in the photographs.

One of the challenges faced during the creation of The Desert Sedation project was respecting the beliefs and customs of the people in the Middle East. Some traditional icons in the region hold semi-holy status, and Shahandeh had to find a way to honor these beliefs while creating his artistic vision.

The Desert Sedation project has received recognition for its exceptional design and artistic merit. In 2017, it was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in the Photography and Photo Manipulation category. This prestigious award is given to well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements. The Desert Sedation project was recognized for its integration of industry best practices, competent technical characteristics, and its contribution to a better world through its fulfillment and positive impact.

Through The Desert Sedation project, Mehran Shahandeh has successfully captured the essence of the desert and the purity of a woman. The project's unique symbolism and composition create a captivating visual narrative that invites viewers to contemplate the beauty and challenges of life in the desert.