Editor’s note: This is the first of a three-part photo essay that begins in Kabul. Part two takes place in and around Herat. In part three, our writer offers conclusions from her three-month experience as a female photographer in Afghanistan.
During the summer of 2010 in Kabul and my province of Herat I wanted to take photographs capturing the normal lives of the people. The pictures that are seen in the United States of Afghanistan are most often pictures of war. I wanted to show a happier side of Afghan reality. The weather was very hot and I had to take my photographs in the early mornings or late afternoons. I wore my back veil because I thought it would be more acceptable to dress like a Muslim girl, especially since many people knew I had dressed like that before I went to the United States. I thought I could hide my camera under my veil.
However my choice was a mistake. It alienated me from the normal Kabuli girls, as they do not wear black veils, and I discovered the black veil threatened the security guards. Girls in Iran wear black veils. It gave the guards excuses to stop me and accuse me of being an Iranian spy. It was already odd to see a girl with a giant camera; a girl with a black veil was a bigger surprise than they could swallow. I learned that a photographer must dress to blend into a community.
Security was the biggest barrier. My family added to my anxiety by saying that someone will kidnap me or take my expensive camera. I traveled with a family member; I never took photos in public alone. I learned I was more comfortable taking photos with female escorts, than males. I was more courageous with my brothers and father, but they were constantly nagging me about the security. The lesson I got from it was that it is easier to take pictures with women and use a cheaper camera. A photographer needs to have a free mind without worries to produce good images.
People in the vegetable bazaar in a crowded part of Kabul
People in a remote area: Qarqe, Kabul
I can understand why my father was very worried. Being a female photographer is one of the biggest dangers in Afghanistan. Afghans believe that a job that makes a woman visible in public is a threat to her. My family and many Afghans are afraid of ignominy. A woman’s sexuality makes her vulnerable to possible violence. When a woman enters a public space, she enters a male-dominated sphere. If she is a successful woman, she can be a threat to many men. Afghanistan does not have many laws that defend women’s rights. If anything bad happens or someone sexually abuses a woman, people will blame her for appearing in public. They would say, “You could stay at home and prevent this incident,” or blame the family for being irresponsible and not controlling her. Afghan women have to go against many cultural barriers to appear in public and take photos. This vulnerability makes them more trusting in the eyes of many citizens, mostly other women. But in Kabul I was welcomed, and some men, including a man selling cheese, asked me to take their picture. It was a moment of joy for them; I could see their happiness. Or maybe it was just a change in their ordinary day.
The man who asked me to take his picture with his cheese wheels, Kabul
Most of the men were simple workers. They would not pose for the photo but just stared at me while I was taking their picture. One man gave me a free juice when I took his picture.
Man staring at me, Kabul
Man who gave me free juice, Kabul
By Mahnaz
I love this! Brilliant photos.
Your photos are very good. Great Detail. Wait, so if black is for Iran, then what Is the color that the Kabuli girls wear?
the photos you’ve taken are very good. I feel very inspired when i read your story. And i hope that you will keep it up.
Its great to see something of Afghanistan that is not about war. I love seeing the people go about their daily lives. Thank you for sharing with us!
This story is great! I Love the photos! This story really helps put things in perspective. Keep it up.
I live in the United States. Afghanistan seams worlds way. But the pictures make it seem closer and more real. At times the pictures remind me of my own life. It makes me realize that even though Afghanistan is filled with violence, people still go on. Thank you for posting the photos. Nice work!
I find your story very educational and inspiring. I am a type of person who gets flustered at the fact that woman aren’t treated equally in society. I do realize that this is their way of life and that they (woman) would have to go through many difficult steps to change their society to honer woman’s rights more than they do now. Still, I am proud to be of the same gender as someone as brave as you and the woman that live in this society each and everyday. The pictures in this article were wonderfully done and I wish you all the best of luck in further pictures that you take in other country’s.
Wow that is amazing! These pictures are very good. You are a very good writer! It is a very interesting story, it is interesting to see stuff we don’t usually see in America. Like the big cheese wheel. There are many other things in these pictures that interested me, like in the second pictures, what is the machine for? The man that gave you free juice must have been really nice!
This is quite an experience of knowledge I had never realized it would be so hot. I like the men,s beard styles they are quite great.
they really need more rules to protect woman’s rights. they should blame the person who abusing the woman’s and not blame the women for entering the place. I’m a guy and i can understand how a woman feels when that happens. I wish i could do something about that but I’m just one boy and i live far away.
Wow–these are so great! Thank you for telling us the story behind the story (err…photos!) I will be thinking about the conclusion that it was best to shoot with women (and with a cheaper camera). And I love the moments of joy that you included. The man with the cheese who wanted his picture taken. And then the man who gave you free juice.
I, too, take pictures when I’m walking around my neighborhood. And even here, I have to be wary sometimes. I would like to take more pictures of people, but as you know, that is a risky thing at times. Funny that I think I would be taken more seriously if I had a better camera! Anyway, these are my pix–nothing special, just a way to be creative while I’m taking care of my young son: http://harlemwalk.tumblr.com/ You might consider starting a photo blog, too!
Again, thanks for sharing!
And I agree with Roberto!
What lovely photos! So often I find myself listening to the news about countries like Afghanistan and wondering what life is like for the mothers who live there. What are they making for dinner? How do they get their children to school, if at all? What do they do all day? Your pictures and your experience shed a little light into the mystery. Thanks for sharing!
your photos give people a feel for living in Afghanistan.
These pictures are very inspiring to me because of the bright cheer they have in them. They help me see you culture more clearly, even though I live miles away in the United States. Although I have a very different life from you, I can still identify with what you and the people roaming about do there.
These are such great photographs! I love your idea of capturing happiness in the pictures. It definitely shows a side of Afghanistan culture that many people are unaware of. I also find it inspiring that you found the courage to enter an unfamiliar place and put yourself at danger in order to capture these joyful photographs.
Mahnaz, I love your ideia! The pics are great! It’s the chance of showing the beautiful side of your country. I’m anxious for other pictures.
Hugs,
Renata, from Brazil
Your photos are fantastic. I always enjoy open markets. I believe that is where you see people as they really are. I also didn’t now that wearing a veil in Afghanistan makes one thing and in Iran or another country means another things. I am looking forward to seeing and reading the the rest of your story.
Thank you for sharing your story and your photos. You are very courageous. I enjoyed your essay very much.
Mahnaz,
These are beautiful. Thank you for risking so much to take these photos!
Sending you peace and love,
Barbara
Mahnaz – What a great eye you have for photo composition. Also your confidence and presence in making presentations is excellent. You will do well in what you do in the future. – Bob
Excellent photos! Thanks for showing life in Kabul. It’s there, buried beneath layers of bad news. Keep up the great work.