Discover Iran

After the success of its inaugural tour in 2016, the Photography Studies College (PSC) is once again offering the chance to explore the amazing world of Iran.

Set for departure on September 9, the 14-day tour is open to anyone both inside and outside the college and provides a rare opportunity to engage with the Iranian people and discover the country’s cultural diversity and physical beauty.

Led by highly experienced PSC lecturers Hoda Afshar and Michael Coyne, the tour packs in a lot of Iran – beginning in capital Tehran, travelling through Shiraz, Yazd, Isfahan and concluding in the breathtaking Kashan.

Once known as Persia, Iran is one of the oldest continuous civilizations in the world and is culturally rich with art, architecture and landscapes offering a broad range of photographic themes.

While politically the country has, and continues to, experience many challenges, Hoda, a native Iranian herself, said many from last year’s tour described the experience as the “highlight of their life”.

“There are a lot of misunderstandings and misrepresentations of Iran through the media and normally people go with a kind of fear thinking whether it’s safe or not,” she said.

“That’s the part that made everyone really excited – when they realised that everything they thought about the place was completely the opposite.”

Hoda said the tour was perfect for people interested in photography who didn’t necessarily wish to enroll in a course as well as anyone simply interested in travelling to Iran.

The tour equips participants with everything they need to know about taking photos both culturally and practically, with sessions focused on culture and ethics as well as workshops on the basics of photography.  

She said her background in contemporary and fine art photography also complemented Michael’s expertise in photojournalism and documentary to give participants a broad range of influences to draw from.  

“It’s always helpful having a local travelling with you and it’s also really good to have two completely different perspectives about photography,” she said.

“They used to find me in the corner with a phone staring at light coming through a ceiling while Michael was taking portraits of people in the other corner and communicating with them in a different way to how I do.”

Also accompanied by an English-speaking local guide, the tour can take a maximum of 18 people and offers a package that includes accommodation, daily buffet breakfasts, airport transfers, a domestic flight and much more.

Hoda said now was a wonderful time to experience Iran and for those interested in an adventure the tour was one not to be missed.  

“People were saying that they learnt a lot from basics to the idea of documenting and understanding a place, while also discovering your own style and finding confidence in what you’re doing and the way that you see the world,” she said.

“The moment that we were saying goodbye at the airport everyone was almost in tears. A lot of people told us that they want to do it again.”

For costs and more information visit www.psc.edu.au