Reflections on 4 Contemplative Photos
These recent images are part of my creative practice of contemplative photography. I like to make images that invite reflection on the use of light, shadow, form, and symbols. All photos are shot by me on a Sony a7iii camera with various lenses.
— Karim Wadhwani, 2025
A flock of birds sets off from their gathering place on the dome of the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto.
1 - Valley of the Quest
I had watched a flock of birds for several minutes as they flew from one spot to another in the Aga Khan Park, eventually landing on the dome of the Aga Khan Museum. I’ve never seen birds gather in this spot before, or since.
This special scene made me think immediately of the Conference of the Birds, the famous tale written in the 12th century by Persian poet Farid ud-Din Attar. In it, birds of all shapes and sizes - a duck, a nightingale, a peacock, and others - set off in search for their King, led by their guide the Hoopoe bird.
I’ve always thought of the dome of the Museum as a crown, hexagonal in shape and sitting regally on its throne. So it’s fitting then that these birds gathered there, on this soaring crown, the perfect place for a conference before setting off on their quest.
The Blood Moon sits above the Ismaili Centre Toronto’s softly-glowing dome during a total lunar eclipse.
2 - Lunar Totality
A total lunar eclipse was visible in Toronto on March 14, 2025. I knew I wanted to photograph this celestial event and get an image of the Blood Moon, but as I thought about locations to shoot from, and thanks to a tip from a good friend, I realized it would be really special to have the Ismaili Centre in frame with the moon.
Taken at 3am at the Ismaili Centre, Toronto, just as the lights came on for morning prayers. Other images from that night can be found below.
Karim Wadhwani, 2025
Sunset at the Faisal Mosque, Islamabad, Pakistan
3 - Baba
On Christmas Day in 2024, I was in Islamabad visiting a few of the popular sites, including here at the Faisal Mosque. Being in Pakistan, reconnecting with family, walking through a spiritual space like this - it was a lot for me to take in. I wondered how best to translate these emotions into a photograph; how to make the invisible visible.
Then, among the hundreds of people enjoying the beautiful day - parents with their young children, couples, friends having an outing - I noticed two men sitting on a ledge. There was a sense of peace about them. Cloaked in a chaddar and wearing traditional head coverings, they were deep in conversation. It was a moment of calm amidst the hustle & bustle of Pakistan.
The sun was setting and my cousins were waiting for me so we could head out. I had to act fast. I felt there was a divisive moment here - an opportunity to find that image I was searching for.
And then it occurred to me: can I find a way to bring together the contemplative man and the setting sun? The sun being rich with symbolism about life, wisdom, spirituality, and nur, concepts that can be difficult to articulate in words.
And so I found this image, clicked, and sped off towards my family. Now I look back and meditate on this moment, when light gave me words I could not find on my own.
Karim Wadhwani, 2024
Sunlight flows into the mosque at the Abrahamic Family House
4 - An Echo of Light
An ethereal moment: sunlight filters through the carved jali of a mosque in Abu Dhabi, producing a column of light, as a worshipper moves through its path.
This photo was taken at the Abrahamic Family House - a complex dedicated to peaceful coexistence and which includes a Mosque, a Church, and a Synagogue all designed by a single architect.
It is particularly special to me in light of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, who inaugurated the institution along with the Grand Imam of Al Azhar.
This photo reminds us of our shared origin and destiny, and the Light that connects us.
Karim Wadhwani, 2024
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