by Yvette Depaepe
Published the 28^th of October 2024

Mohammad Dadsetan's work is excellent and varied. He quotes: "If I were to consider myself a style follower, I would definitely consider myself a minimalist, which of course has been mentioned by the audience and experts of this style, but I do not limit myself in any way to any style, genre or format and I am free to do whatever I want". Mohammad is very good when it comes to conceptual, creatively edited images, he gets ideas from movies, from the work of other artists, and maybe in a word, from life! Find out more about the man behind his photographs and enjoy this interview.

'Unlock Gate'

When and how did your photographic journey begin?
I started photography in 2007 with a mobile phone and tried to learn by trial and error and by looking at other photographers' work.

'Darkness to Darkness'

For many of us, photography is either a hobby or a way of life. How would you define your relationship to photography?
For me, it's mostly the first option, and the reason is this: I've never thought of photography as a profession or a source of income. People whose profession is photography travel a lot and live their lives around photography, which they organise. My studies are in the field of music and photography is very serious for me, but it has always been an artistic pastime or perhaps an artistic game!

'News Gesture'

What would you say is the most important experience that has influenced your steps in photography?
Perhaps my background in graphic design, which dates back to before I started studying photography, has had the greatest influence on my vision and has helped me a lot in this field.

'Off Road'

You have your own style, but your work is very diverse.  I see landscape photography, street photography, portraiture and creatively manipulated photography. Can you explain why that is?
If I were to consider myself a style follower, I would definitely consider myself a minimalist, which of course has been mentioned by the audience and experts of this style, but I do not limit myself in any way to any style, genre or format and I am free to do whatever I want.
Of course I do not recommend this to anyone! At least I don't recommend it to beginners and students :)

'Twisted Mountain'

What is more important to you, the mood/story behind your images or the technical perfection?
Of course all three are important and play a role in the creation of the artwork, but since you asked which is more important, I have to say: I feel that the story or narrative is always considered the most important part of the artwork, and other elements or factors, along with a particular narrative, cause the capture. And the transmission is better and more stories.

'Tik Tak'

What is your relationship to your subjects in general, beyond that of an observer?
Do you carefully prepare the places you want to photograph?
Being an observer is the first and so-called beginning of any work, you have to see and see properly so that the relationship ends from the outside to the inside and understanding, of course this case changes according to the subject.
If it's landscape photography, I explore the area first and try different angles, and if it's street photography, I wait a bit to get to know the movement patterns of the people there and take pictures from different angles.
In portrait photography, I communicate verbally with the subject and try to break their ice and show their true self or the best shot!
In minimal photography, the location is more important than the subject, and I believe that the choice of location and framing in this style is more important than the choice of subject, and in fact what creates or shoots a minimal work is the photographer's approach to a location.

'Tree Baam'

Describe your general photographic vision.
Maybe because I don't have an exclusive genre, so I don't have anything as a general vision of photography, because I feel that it limits me and puts me in a hard format, but in a more general expression, maybe my general vision in photography or any other art: shot an artistic, eye-catching and engaging.

'Gold Spin'

Could you please tell us a bit more about your workflow from idea to final product?
It's a bit difficult :) But I try my best.
For the work that has creative editing and falls into the conceptual or fine art genre, I get ideas from the movies I watch, the work of other artists, scrolling through Instagram or photo sites, etc, and maybe in a word, from living!

'Layers Land'

Where do you find inspiration and what inspires you most?
The first requirement for creating a work of art is visual literacy, followed by the mastery of technical subjects, which are of course complementary and must grow together. Visual literacy is formed by seeing the works of elders, studying and, most importantly, the type of lifestyle that is formed in addition to the world view of each person (artist).
If these two components are cultivated, it can be said: You will no longer look at everything with an analytical eye and be inspired by everything!

'Marionette'

Many people think that the equipment is not very important when the passion for photography is strong. But can you please tell us what equipment you use (camera, lenses, lighting, tripod, etc.)?
Yes, that's a good point.
I've had many cameras and mobile phones over the years and used them to take photos, but at the moment I have a Nikon 5300 with an 18-140mm kit lens and I still shoot with my Samsung A33 mobile phone.
For portraits, I use tripods and lights that have no specific brand or model.
In general I do not have any special equipment :(

'Beard Luke'

What would be your favourite photo? Please tell us the story behind it.
I don't have a particular photo in mind, I'm not even looking for photos of a specific genre or style, I am ecstatic to see a good documentary photo that narrates the hardships or happiness of human life to a minimal artistic photo.

Who are your favourite photographers or mentors whose work has influenced you and your photography?
I love the work of all your veterans in all genres, I look at them with eagerness and eagerness to learn, but there are three masters who are exceptional street photographers and whose work really appeals to me: Alan Schaller, Ando Fuchs and Kai Ziehl.

Now that we have almost reached the end of this interview, I would like to ask you to tell us about any plans or photographic projects you would like to be involved in.
I have always been interested in travelling to countries that are at the forefront of modern urban development and have wonderful locations for street photography, I feel that new locations can breathe new life into the work of any photographer and can be the starting point for a new chapter in his artistic life.

'Tower Frame'

Is there anything else you would like to add and what do you think of 1X as a home base for your work?
I am always jealous of the love and affection that the group of creators and managers of this gallery have, and I am grateful for your warmth and for the platform you have provided to showcase the work of photographers from all over the world.
My deepest gratitude for this great opportunity to share my work with the 1x community through this interview.

'Light Line'

'Street Singer'

'Bulgy, Ladder Version'

'Into the Spiral'

Regards.
Mohammad Dadsetan