Skip to main content

Ako Salemi

 

Ako Salemi is an Iranian-born photojournalist and street photographer, now based in the U.S. His poetic images of daily life in Tehran have won international attention, showing city streets under cinematic light and human stories unfolding amid architectural geometry.

A Visual Voice Formed by Light and Silence

Born in Bukan, Kurdistan, in 1981, Salemi initially studied drama before discovering that photography—especially street photography—matched his introspective nature better. He worked for years as a photojournalist in Iran before turning to a more expressive, poetic style rooted in his love of classic cinema and visual tension.

Since about 2014, he has become known on Instagram as @f64s125, posting visual stories of Tehran shaped by striking light and shadow, formal alignment, and everyday poetry.

Gear: The Mobile Camera That Lets Him Blend In

Ako Salemi shoots almost exclusively with a smartphone, embracing its speed and stealth for street photography:

  • He began by using Hipstamatic for its immediacy and distinct filter aesthetic.

  • Since then, he’s transitioned into iPhone photography, often using the native camera app, and edits with Snapseed for quick in-camera-style edits. At one point he mentioned using an iPhone 5.

iPhone 5

  • He explains that using a phone allows him to continue working with journalistic urgency—but with discretion:

    With my phone, I was no longer perceived as a photographer. I took photos like anyone else. But my perspective was still that of a photographer. I had found a trick.

Visual Style & Themes

Salemi’s visual practice is grounded in:

  • Tehran’s architecture and everyday life: his images frame people moving through modernist buildings, markets, metro stations, and leafy alleys with a contemplative rhythm.

  • Decisive composition and chiaroscuro: he waits for moments where light, shadow, gesture, and graphic elements align.

  • Instagram as a medium: Salemi treats the platform not just as a gallery, but as a daily dialogue with audiences—all through a square, cinematic frame.

Key Takeaways

  • Mobile photography as strategy, not compromise—Salemi extended his journalistic training into an artistic Instagram practice by leveraging mobile tools.

  • Discreet presence equals authenticity—his subjects rarely respond to the camera, preserving sincerity in gesture and environment.

  • Composition-shy, patience-rich—Salemi waits for the right elements to align silently, favoring visual calm but emotional depth.

Want to Shoot Like Salemi?

Consider replicating his approach by:

  • Carrying a smartphone with manual-style control and good low-light performance

  • Using Snapseed or Hipstamatic to apply subtle tonality and grain

  • Practicing street awareness: stay quiet, move slowly, observe light and structure

  • Treating Instagram not just as output, but as creative feedback


Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Saul Leiter

  Saul Leiter, renowned for his pioneering work in color street photography, utilized a diverse array of camera gear throughout his career, adapting his equipment choices to his evolving artistic vision.   Here's an overview of the cameras and lenses he employed: Film Cameras Leica M4 : During the 1970s and beyond, Leiter frequently used the Leica M4 for his commercial and fashion photography assignments. Leica M4 Leica CL : For street photography, he often opted for the compact Leica CL, appreciating its portability and discreet profile. Leica CL Canon A-1 and AE-1 : Leiter incorporated these Canon models into his street photography repertoire, valuing their versatility and the availability of quality FD lenses. Canon A1 Canon AE-1 Minox 35 EL : Known for its ultra-compact design, the Minox 35 EL was another camera Leiter used, aligning with his preference for unobtrusive equipment. Minix 35 EL Rolleiflex 6x6 : In his early career, particularly during the 1950s, L...
Read more

Matt Black

Matt Black, a renowned Magnum photographer, is celebrated for his stark black-and-white imagery that delves into themes of poverty, migration, and environmental issues, particularly in California's Central Valley.   His approach to photography is characterized by a minimalist setup, allowing him to focus on storytelling without the distraction of extensive gear. Camera Equipment Olympus Digital Camera : During his extensive travels for the American Geography project, Black utilized an Olympus digital camera (Olympus OM-D-E-M5 II). This choice provided him with a lightweight and reliable tool suitable for long journeys and varied shooting conditions.  Olympus OM-D-E-M5 II Find it on Amazon Sony RX100 II : for some of his work including his "Geography of Poverty" series and for images posted on Instagram, Black used a Sony RX100 II.  Sony RX100 II Find it on Amazon Hasselblad XPan (Panoramic Film Camera) : Complementing his digital work, Black employed a Hasselblad ...
Read more

Alex Webb

Alex Webb, renowned for his vibrant and intricately layered street photography, has consistently favored compact, unobtrusive gear that allows him to blend seamlessly into his environment and capture spontaneous moments. Primary Camera Gear Leica M Rangefinder Cameras : Webb has predominantly used Leica M-series rangefinder cameras throughout his career. Notably, he employed the Leica M6 during his film photography days and transitioned to the digital Leica M (Typ 240) following the discontinuation of Kodachrome film. Leica M6 see it on Amazon Leica M240 35mm Lens : His lens of choice is typically a 35mm, which he considers the ideal balance between wide-angle and standard perspectives. This focal length complements his style of capturing complex, multi-layered scenes. Kodachrome Film : For over three decades, Webb exclusively used Kodachrome color slide film, celebrated for its rich color rendition and fine grain. The film's discontinuation in 2009 prompted his shift to di...
Read more