Journalism Is Not A Crime and IranWire have launched Abbas and the Revolution, a website celebrating the work of legendary Magnum photographer Abbas.

Through a unique collection of photographs spanning from 1971 to 2005, contact sheets and exclusive interviews with the photographer, Abbas and the Revolution offers an unprecedented portfolio and appreciation of one of the most important photographers of our time.

Abbas, an Iranian transplanted to Paris, has dedicated himself to documenting societies in conflict, and is particularly known for his outstanding reportage of the 1979 Iranian Revolution. A member of the prestigious agency Magnum Photos, Abbas’s extraordinary work has appeared in thousands of publications around the world.

In more than 50 video conversations with the project’s initiator, Iranian journalist Maziar Bahari, Abbas recalls the most significant moments of 1978-1980 and his later return to the country in 1997. He gives exceptional insight into his photography style and techniques, and shares the stories behind his iconic photos — a remarkable collection of historical documents and a recommended case study for aspiring and professional photojournalists. 

“Abbas’s photos give you a better understanding of modern Iranian history, and the complex characters of the past 50 years, including the Shah, Khomeini, their officials and disciples,” says Maziar Bahari, who is also the founder of IranWire and Journalism is Not a Crime. “You learn more about the typically Iranian forms of violence, benevolence and obsequiousness than you could by reading hundreds of articles and books.”

To view Abbas’s iconic images and hear the impressive stories behind them, please visit Abbas and the Revolution at abbas.site.

Related articles:

“The revolution was a rollercoaster of emotions”

A Struggle for the Heart and Soul of the Revolution

Abbas and the Revolution – a Unique Look at Iran over the Last Five Decades