This photo shows the nurses and anesthesiologists who assist the surgeons during rhinoplasty operations, or as they are more commonly known, nose jobs. The photo was taken by Zed Nelson in Tehran, Iran where nose jobs are becoming a social trend. The photo comes from Nelson’s collection in features project called “Iran Nose Jobs" from his personal website.
Nelson is a British photojournalist, but his work has been published and exhibited worldwide. He focuses on social behaviors in the western world. His most recent projects include a photo book entitled Gun Nation which displays America’s disturbing obsession with guns. Another book called Love Me explores the world’s obsession with youth and beauty. Some of the Iranian nose job photos appear in Love Me. He won first prize in the 2010 Pictures of the Year Contest and third place in the 2010 World Press Photo Competition for photos in Love Me. Gun Nation won Best Photography Book in the 2010 Pictures of the Year Contest.
Nelson shoots is photos in a 35 mm format and displays images with aspects of news photography, portraiture, and social documentary. In Reuel Golden's book Photojournalism 1855 to the Present, Zed Nelson is quoted, saying that his photos aim to “investigate our obsessions and weaknesses.”
In his feature collection, Nelson quoted an Iranian proverb that says “Kill me, but make me beautiful.” This proverb certainly speaks to the trend of dangerous beauty that is happening among Iranian women.
This photo is unique because it shows the women who assist with the operations, and all of their noses are covered, leaving the viewer with a sense of mystery about whether the assistance have also received nose jobs. The photo (as well as the whole project) is bizarre because women in Iranian culture are forced to keep their whole bodies covered when they are out in public—it makes one wonder why they would be so concerned with the appearance of their noses if throughout the day they can only show their eyes. Because this photo is focusing on a trend story, it also conveys the value of currency and timeliness. The photo is also artistic because of the way the women have lined up and they all match.
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