A visual paean to a prodigy:
Celebrating Abbas Kiarostami

I have often noticed that we are not able to look at what we have in front of us unless it's inside a frame," Abbas Kiarostami once said. This insight captures the essence of his work and has profoundly influenced me as a visual storyteller. Kiarostami's films, especially "Taste of Cherry," have left an indelible mark on my approach to photography. His ability to blend realism with allegory and transform the mundane into the extraordinary taught me to see the world differently. His storytelling encouraged me to appreciate life’s journey and find profound meaning in everyday moments. In 2022 spring, as I wandered the shores of Cox's Bazar, I found myself imagining how Kiarostami and Mr. Badii from "Taste of Cherry" would perceive the landscape. The journey, the waves, the horizon, the play of light and shadow—all seemed like scenes from his films. His influence taught me to look beyond the surface and explore the subtleties that define our existence.