softness of Kashmir

an ode to colours

inspirational photography

I walk onto the meadow: I see a ruby hue of autumnal color, seemingly illuminated by a light filtering through a dense cloudiness, as if a misty veil enveloped the countryside. The ground tones gradually fade towards the horizon, from a vermilion to a golden, evanescent mantle, until they almost blend with the transparent sky.

There, I see a pasture of small sheeps with their soft, still short, cream-colored wool. They are close to each other, huddling for warmth. A shepherd accompanies them and walks with humbleness carrying out his daily duties. He knows, that the time spent in this Himalayan valley will be the wealth of days to come. He gently guides his flock to an unknown destination, as they slowly move together toward the sunset.

the land of shepherds© by @hashemlone

The fields appear as suspended in an ancient time, where the humility of the simplest gestures and a life in harmony with nature evoke memories of my childhood. I feel my heart simmer. Suddenly this place, thousands of miles away from home, becomes part of my story.

Through this journey, I have learned that there is a profound consciousness that emerges when I'm slowing down: authentic observation. I am present and aware of the eternal motion of life. In continuous transformation yet of an unchanging essentiality.

Despite the logic, I wish I could keep this moment with me forever. I have my camera hanging around my neck: I take it in my hands and look through the lens: once again, I see the shepherd in his chestnut-colored coat. A pale yellow wooden stick in his hand. All around, his animals follow him. The light is soft.

I hear the "click": the image in front of me becomes eternity.