This is the first news photograph I took for Agence France Presse (AFP) in Amman, Jordan on November 2, 1997.

As a human interest photo meant to be an illustration (as opposed to a strictly news photo) of the election campaigning in the local press, this photo was somewhat manufactured. Before going out to shoot, it was explained to me that the right photo would have certain elements in it that viewers outside the Middle East would immediately recognize as signifying an Arab country.

Therefore, it was important to include a man wearing a kiffeya, or traditional scarf. The veiled women and Arabic writing in the background add to its message that this is the Middle East.