It's October 12th, 2008, and this is The Candid Frame.

Today's guest is Reza Dagadi, a world-renowned photographer whose work has been published in National Geographic, Vanity Fair, Time, Newsweek,

and the New York Times Magazine, among others. Born in Tabriz, Iran, his career began during

the tumultuous times of the Iranian Revolution in the late 70s. In 1996, Razor won the Hope Prize

for his work on behalf of Rwandan refugees.

He has also received the Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism from the University of Missouri, Columbia.

He founded Webistan, a photo agency promoting photographers of the Middle East,

and as well founded the Afghan Media and Culture Center,

which is sought to teach the principles of a free press

to the men and women of Afghanistan following the fall of the Taliban.

There are many photographers who are called humanitarian,

but there are few photographers who have earned that description

for work that hasn't involved them being behind the camera.

So sit back and enjoy our conversation with RASA.

All right, well, RASA, welcome to The Candid Frame.

It's a real honor and a pleasure to have you on the show.

My first question for you is about your beginnings as a photographer.

I know you started taking pictures when you were very young and you were inspired

because at first you had wanted to become a painter.

Is that right?

Yes.

This was my main intention when I was very kid.

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