Images of Ladakh I

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Richard Durnan’s Artist Statement

nLadakh, situated on the Northern flanks of the Himalayan Mountains, on the Tibetan Plateau, is unlike any other region of India. A high altitude desert, bleak and desolate at first glance, it is rich with culture, religion and life. I have attempted to capture a slice of this wealth in this collection of photographs, Images of Ladakh.nnThere is no question Asia draws me; I have been traveling there almost every year since 1992. The Himalayas and its people, is abundant with beauty and culture. The people, both delightful and welcoming, and have been my strongest photographic inspiration. The opulent light that bathes Ladakh through its thin high altitude atmosphere is a photographers dream. The bizarre mountain desert landscape with its extreme weather has been my greatest physical and technical challenge.nnThese Ladakh images represent a personal exploration: An exploration of photography, an exploration of Asia, an exploration of color. I have tried to create an intimacy with the people and landscape of Ladakh; to show the way of life in this remote Himalayan land with bold, yet simple compositions. There is intensity to the extreme environment and landscape of Ladakh, and it is beautifully contrasted by the softness of its open hearted people.nnIn a fast changing world, there is still a simpler way of life to be found in Ladakh. My documentation of this land and its people has shown me my greatest growth both spiritually and photographically. I hope this can be seen in my images.