A Review of Social, Economic and Cultural Context Affecting on photographying of the 19th century

Nāṣer al-Dīn Shāh Qājār is generally considered as the main supporter of photography at the beginning of this art in Iran. Therefore, the restriction of photography to the royal court was regarded as the most important reason of its unpopularity among the people in that era. However, social science and anthropological approach reveal myriad factors that affect the development of phenomena such as photography. This research attempts to investigate the position and development of photography among Iranian people in terms of the social, cultural and historical situation in the 19th century. This study suggests that the structure of social classes, economic situation and the majority of rural population in Qajar era were important impediments in the development of photography. Moreover, it seems that the comprehensive illiteracy, roads situation, undeveloped trade routes, and lack of media were the other obstacles in the development and spread of photography among the people.