Mehrab Farsad
Photojournalism | Last Updated: December 1, 2024
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I am Mehrab Farsad, a documentary and news photographer from Iran.
My photography journey began in 2012 with a Nokia Lumia 1020. Over time, my interest in documenting people and environments grew, and I decided to pursue photography more seriously.
I studied sociology and see photography as a tool for documenting human actions. I want people to see the world around me from my perspective and ideology. I don’t want to censor or distort reality; I want to present my analysis.
Today, I focus on news photography and documentary projects and collaborate with the photo agency Majority World.
Over the years, my gear has evolved from using smartphones to professional Nikon cameras.
For me, telling a story is more important than the equipment. I prefer to use the available equipment to convey stories in the best way possible.
Nikon D3S – is a legendary camera I bought second-hand after completing my first narrative project. Despite being older, the Nikon D3S performs incredibly well, especially in low light, making it my go-to for news photography.
Nikon D1X – I found this camera for fourteen dollars by chance. After fixing a minor issue, it became part of my collection. I sometimes shoot with it just for fun; it gives me nostalgia.
Nikon D3500 – A lightweight and compact camera that is excellent for wide-angle photography from low angles. I use an 18-55mm lens on this camera.
GoPro Hero 3 – I use this camera to record videos of my photography process. I have mounted it with a DIY L-bracket behind the camera, which allows me to capture behind-the-scenes footage of my work.
Nikon 50mm f/1.8G – this is my favorite lens for documentary work. The focal length is perfect for capturing intimate moments, and the f/1.8 aperture performs excellently in low-light conditions.
Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 (non-VR) – While this lens isn’t the sharpest and lacks stabilization, it’s a versatile option for news photography when I need more reach.
Nikon 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6G VR – This kit lens helps me shoot in various situations with different angles and is very useful as a base lens in my collection.
Nikon SB-600 Speedlight – I use this speedlight for controlled lighting situations, especially when natural light isn’t enough. It’s reliable and works well with my Nikon system.
I have created a waist belt system using a regular belt, a Zenit camera bag, and two Canon compact camera pouches.
These three bags are connected to a separate belt. I use the Zenit bag to carry either the Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 or the Nikon SB-600 Flash, and I use the Canon Pouch for carrying batteries, memory cards, and cleaning cloths for lenses.
My primary tools and software for editing photos are Apple MacBook and Adobe Lightroom. I use Adobe Lightroom for minimal adjustments and to record necessary details on my photos.
I always carry a cardboard viewfinder that I made for a full-frame Nikon sensor. This helps me frame shots even when I’m not holding my cameras.
I keep energy bars and a notebook to jot ideas and observations during shoots.
Photography is about exploring for me, whether that’s people, environments, or ideas.
It’s an ever-evolving journey, and I encourage others to keep learning, experimenting, and enjoying the process.
If there’s one advice I could give, it’s to trust your instincts and focus on narratives.
Conveying stories highlights photography’s power and its importance in understanding and interpreting life.
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