Iran Series - Lost by Summer '07 contender Afshin Dehkordi.

Burnt sienna wallpaper (or tiles?) + a bumblebee striped tee + a sullen expression in the distant center + an out-of-focus cigarette... What do these add up to? In my mind, I see a 70s era profile piece on a malicious crime boss. In actuality, this image belongs in U.K.-based contender Afshin Dekhordi's new series of photographs on Iran.

Dekhordi moved to the U.K. at the age of three, following the Iranian Revolution of 1978. He began taking photographs as a teenager, after borrowing a Canon AE1P from his parents. From there, he created a makeshift darkroom at home and taught himself how to print.

The only other Iranian photographer I am familiar with is Paris-based photographer Abbas, who is a member of Magnum Photos. I first came across his photographs while visiting Istanbul this past March, at an exhibit called "Turkey by Magnum" held at the Istanbul Modern. Abbas, who photographed the revolution in Iran, published a book of his photographs and writing, called IranDiary 1971-2002 of his personal experience with the past 30 years of political turmoil in Iran.

As for Dehkordi, in addition to his project on Iran, he is also part of two contemporary, collective projects:

“Re-loading Images Berlin/Tehran" is an exchange of young artists working with media art, design and installation between Berlin and Tehran. It will include a preliminary weblog, a workshop, seminars, a final presentation and documentation. The exchange project will take place over a period of three weeks in both cities.

“Youth in the Countryside� is a European photography project in which 25 young photographers from eight European nations will work together. Topics attend to social/cultural differences and similarities, as well as the chances, changes and identity of young Europeans. The project creates a European network of photographers that contribute with their work to diversity, civil society and understanding among nations. The work will be presented to a pan-European audience through a touring exhibition and book.

Best of luck, Afshin! You all should try your luck this summer and apply now to the current edition of Hey, Hot Shot!