There is a reception of photos for the 35AWARDS 2026! #35AWARDS

How to shoot it

📍 Where to shoot

Shooting takes place outdoors in Iranian cities (Qom) and Iraq, mainly during mass religious processions or near shrines.

🕐 Time of day

Most shot between 8:00 and 11:00 (64% of frames)

Based on 14 frames with camera data. Camera clock time; the time zone is unknown.

Best time is 7–10 AM. Statistics show a peak during these hours, coinciding with the start of religious gatherings and soft daylight.

🗓️ Season

Most shot in: April, September, February

Based on 14 frames with camera data

Optimal months are April, September, and October. Significant religious holidays (e.g., Eid al-Fitr) occur then, along with favorable weather for street photography.

🎫 Access and rules

Shooting occurs at open mass religious events (processions, prayers at shrines), where photographers usually face no restrictions. Respect etiquette: do not disturb worshippers or capture intimate scenes without consent.

🎒 Gear

Use a telephoto lens (70–200 mm) or mid-range zoom to capture facial details and emotions from the crowd at a distance. Aperture f/5.6–f/8 provides sufficient depth of field for group shots at ISO 100–400.

Cameras and lenses the authors used (10)

Nikon D300 3 Nikon D5300 2 Nikon D90 1 Nikon D750 1 Canon EOS 5D Mark II 1Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX APO IF HSM 3AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED 1Tamron SP AF 150-600mm f/5-6.3 VC USD (A011) 1Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM 1Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM 1

🧳 What to bring

Spare batteries, rain cover for gear, comfortable shoes for standing long in crowds, water, and light snacks.

⚙️ Settings

Shutter 1/160 (1/1000 – 1/50)Aperture f/5 (f/2.8 – f/9)ISO 101 (100 – 800)Focal length 78 mm (50 – 180)

Based on 15 frames with camera data. Median and 10-90% range across the idea frames.

Key parameter: focal length; median 78 mm (range 50–180 mm). Use a telephoto lens to compress perspective and isolate faces from the crowd.

⚠️ Good to know

Shooting in Iran requires strict ethical compliance: do not photograph women up close without permission unless they are participating in a public ritual. Avoid military facilities and government buildings. Security conditions in Iraq may change, so monitor current travel advisories.

📈 How the idea developed

works uploadedshare of all site uploads, per 100k

The date is when the file was uploaded to the site. The chart counts works assigned to the idea.

✅ How to repeat it

Look for contrast: bright colors of headscarves or faces against black chadors in B&W shots.
Shoot at child eye level to capture genuine emotions in the crowd.
Use long exposure to convey the movement of the procession.

✨ Interesting facts

🏆 How the best frame was shot: Canon EOS R5, Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM or Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM Z, 1/400, f/10, ISO 320, 124 mm
🔇 80% of frames were shot at ISO 400 or lower: almost no noise, any modern camera will do
📐 76% of frames are landscape orientation
🥇 2 works reached the finals. Best contest: 35AWARDS 2018 2019
👤 Most frequent authors: Karar Ali Sabih 2 ROCCO SCATTINO 2
🌍 Authors by country: 🇮🇷 IR 8 🇮🇶 IQ 3 🇮🇹 IT 3 🇮🇩 ID 1 🇹🇷 TR 1

🔗 Related ideas

Some tips are prepared by AI from the idea description, photos and their EXIF. Check the rules and access to places before you travel.

These lists are generated automatically and may contain inaccuracies. Photos are shown in random order, and selections are refreshed twice a day. This section is made for exploring photos and does not claim 100% accuracy. The lists include photos that previously participated in contests that are already completed.