raid
Dad Photographer
I traveled in 2008 with my family to Damascus, Syria, and this morning I am looking at some of the shots that I took there. Life was calm in the streets, and the markets were filled with people and street chatter. I wonder what has become of these individuals that I can see in my photos. In this photo, there is a newly married couple (I guess) on the left side, and they are admiring the historic mosque. It showed me that photography is a powerful tool for the preservation of memories of things that may be gone now.
raid
Dad Photographer
A boy is running away from someone in a busy part of the old markets in Damascus. What has happened to this boy now? I wonder if at his young age he may now be one of the rebels or maybe he is dead or maybe he is still home, living his normal life.
raid
Dad Photographer
What is the fate of this young couple with their baby inside the bazar?
Such an image makes me think about such issues.
My own sister was taking refuge from the terror in Iraq by living in Damascus. Then she had to leave again.
Such an image makes me think about such issues.
My own sister was taking refuge from the terror in Iraq by living in Damascus. Then she had to leave again.
raid
Dad Photographer
It seemed that life of ordinary Syrian people was rotating around the markets. The was buzzing life everywhere. I am glad that I got that chance to visit Damascus before the war time started.
larger file:
http://raid.smugmug.com/Other/Syria-2009/i-fWXVLV3/0/X2/55300019-X2.jpg
larger file:
http://raid.smugmug.com/Other/Syria-2009/i-fWXVLV3/0/X2/55300019-X2.jpg
raid
Dad Photographer
Just a few years ago, people with different faiths would pray/visit inside this mosque in Damascus. I wonder whether such ancient mosques have been spared or whether devastation is everywhere. I recall that Italian pilgrims would visit this mosque.
larger file:
http://raid.smugmug.com/Other/Syria-2009/i-4MDzn4F/0/X2/57630008-X2.jpg
larger file:
http://raid.smugmug.com/Other/Syria-2009/i-4MDzn4F/0/X2/57630008-X2.jpg
alexandru_voicu
Established
Very good pictures, Raid. Too bad a good portion of this country has been destroyed by Western (and Qatari and Saudi) backed terrorists. I wish I had visited Syria myself, now all the chances are gone.
raid
Dad Photographer
Alexandru: Without getting into politics here, my wish is to discuss the role of photography in preserving memories of what is now gone. Most of the time during my stay I was inside an apartment with family members, and only on a couple of days I took a microbus to downtown Damascus to take photos. I am glad that I have done this.
peppard
Established
Thanks for sharing Raid
I have visited the Middle East in the 70's a number of times, and I often wonder what happened to all those beautiful, friendly and welcoming people. I remeber Lebanon being such a Jewel of a country that I literally cried at times when I saw what happened in their civil wars. It must be the same for Syria.
I need to go back and look at the photograpghs I took way back then.
Giorgio
I have visited the Middle East in the 70's a number of times, and I often wonder what happened to all those beautiful, friendly and welcoming people. I remeber Lebanon being such a Jewel of a country that I literally cried at times when I saw what happened in their civil wars. It must be the same for Syria.
I need to go back and look at the photograpghs I took way back then.
Giorgio
alexandru_voicu
Established
Raid, don't be upset at my bitter comment. It is bitter because I've seen crimes beyond imagination committed by the rebels. Otherwise, I didn't want to turn this topic into a political one. I'm looking at the pictures and I ask myself the very same questions you do.
raid
Dad Photographer
I am not upset, Alexandru, but I don't want a moderator to delete this thread.
raid
Dad Photographer
Please post your old photos when you find them, Giorgio.
Monochrom
Well-known
Hi, nice shots, poor syria, my origins are from syria, my great-grand parents came from homs fleeing from turk opression...
After a century living here we can only look at that disaster with sorrow since hatred is declared...
MY father was a director of fearab during the 70´s and being a syrian living abroad he had to gather all arabs living in latinamerica and so he travelled for congresses and meetings in the whole arab world, very united by then...now after long years all has been shattered for the sake of intollerance...
bye.
After a century living here we can only look at that disaster with sorrow since hatred is declared...
MY father was a director of fearab during the 70´s and being a syrian living abroad he had to gather all arabs living in latinamerica and so he travelled for congresses and meetings in the whole arab world, very united by then...now after long years all has been shattered for the sake of intollerance...
bye.
Raid, it would be easier to view the photos in this thread if they were all the same size as the initial photo which is 1024 pixels on the long side. I have to scroll the page side to side to view the photos you posted later which are 1280 pixels on the long side.
raid
Dad Photographer
I went back and have changed the file size of the posted images. I hope that it is better for you now.
raid
Dad Photographer
Lingerie was "big" at that time, and I even saw once a TV special in the USA about it (on Syria). President Assad's face was shown everywhere. People wanted peace of mind, it seems. Being a cheerleader helps.
larger file:
http://raid.smugmug.com/Other/Syria-2009/i-zGb27Ss/0/X3/145930-R1-08-8A show-X3.jpg
larger file:
http://raid.smugmug.com/Other/Syria-2009/i-zGb27Ss/0/X3/145930-R1-08-8A show-X3.jpg
raid
Dad Photographer
Dana and Lina looked scared. It was a new world for them.
Its much easier to view them now. They bring back good memories. I'll have to dig up and post some of the photos I took of Christian Syrians celebrating Christmas 2009 in Bab Touma not far from where your shots were taken.
raid
Dad Photographer
Please post your photos here.
