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Javad Montazeri, Iran.
by arrangement with Drik Picture Library Ltd, www.drik.net

It was the morning of the Fetr holiday – the end of Ramadan, when Muslims fast from dawn to dusk for a month and the days are considered glorious and celebrated.

People go to mosques at sunrise. I decided to go to Mossalla, where people gather for prayers. It was still dark when I got there. The enormous mosque was still under construction – the site provided a far-reaching horizon, which helped the image.

I wanted to photograph the magnificence of the moment and felt I needed height. I found a container behind the crowd. As I climbed it I shot a whole roll using various frames and lenses. The prayer took half an hour, giving me enough time to compose my shots – this is my favourite. I find in it a sense of devotion, a certain rhythm in the way the devotees face the Lord. I don’t think it would have worked had I taken the photograph from the front.

Documentary or journalistic photography cannot ignore these aesthetic aspects – good pictures can come from our knowledge of our universe, religion, humanity and through our past life.

Javad Montazeri - Iran
By arrangement with Drik Picture Library Ltd, www.drik.net