A Whole World Blind - (Hardcover)

About the Book

A Whole World Blind depicts the realities of war in Northern Syria's rebel-held territories from the brutal to the mundane.

Book Synopsis

Award-winning photographer Nish Nalbandian has spent three years covering the war in Northern Syria and the refugees from that war in Turkey. His debut monograph, A Whole World Blind, entwines documentary photography and portraiture with oral testimony, essays, stories, and memoir to create a vivid picture of the reality of this war. The book depicts fighters on the frontline as well as everyday people eking out a living amidst the ruins. Fascinated by the dynamic of life that continued through conflict, Nalbandian's photographs humanize what often read as impersonal headlines about a dangerous war.

Nish Nalbandian has photographed in more than thirty-five countries worldwide in a variety of environments and continues to cover Syrian Refugee issues. Nalbandian's awards include First Prize for Conflict photography in the 2014 IPA, the Gold Medal for War Photography in the 2014 PX3, and many more.

Review Quotes

"In his debut monograph, Nalbandian weaves together harrowing images and powerful quotations.",
- Smithsonian Mag, September 15, 2016
"...a honest and uncensored testimony to the strength and vitality of the people living amidst cataclysmic turmoil...",
- Vice, November 19, 2016
"Despite all the guilt and all the horror, A Whole World Blind is at least in part a book about redemption. When people asked Nalbandian to tell their story--whether it was about a wedding or a funeral-- he followed them and listened.",
- Feature Shoot, December 15, 2016

About the Author

Nish Nalbandian is an award-winning editorial and documentary photographer. His work from Aleppo has won numerous awards including First Prize for Conflict photography in the 2014 IPA, and the Gold Medal for War Photography in the 2014 PX3, as well as being selected for the New York Photo Festival and the IPA Best in Show exhibition around the world. Based in Istanbul, Nish continues to cover Syrian Refugee issues. Nish has photographed in more than 35 countries worldwide in a variety of environments from wars to sporting events, from back alleys to Luxury Resorts, and from cities to remote deserts. His editorial work has appeared in such diverse outlets as the New Yorker, the Human Rights Watch World Report, The Los Angeles Times, The Denver Post, National Geographic Traveler, Le Journal de Quebec, Le Journal de Montreal, The Oslo Times, The Toronto Sun, WorldMag, Kickstand Magazine, Review of Religions, New Scientist, Sputnik, and Vocativ.com.