Newsha Tavakolian alongside Jim Goldberg and Enri Canaj, is a lead in the new Polaroid and Magnum Photos partnership which has launched an Open Call to discover emerging photographic talents.
This initiative invites global photographers to submit their portfolios, with winners receiving a Polaroid I-2 camera, film, and mentorship from Tavakolian and other Magnum photographers.
The program emphasizes empathy and human connection, aiming to capture often overlooked stories through black-and-white photography.
In a recently published YouTube video, the project introduces Newsha Tavakolion through her “Mount Damavand community” series, which uncovers the hidden lives of people in a remote region, revealing their untold stories and unique perspectives.
Using the I-2 camera connected to a high-speed flash sync, Newsha Tavakolian shoots around the mountain. This allows her to freeze moments as they happen while still keeping detail in the dramatic backdrop. Her story documents all the ways this landscape provides for its people – both as a home, a hot spring, and a source of fresh water.
“Damavand Mountain is very important in our culture. In Iranian culture, there are a lot of mythological stories and folklore stories about the mountain. So it's a beautiful area, but also historically quite an important place.”
As Newsha says, “She is a very generous mountain.”
For more information about Newsha Tavakolian’s story and to watch the video, click here.
For more information on the open call, click here.