Open Gold Locket Beside Faded Portrait

Flat noon light floods the workshop shelf, bouncing off whitewashed walls to create a harsh, even glare. A small gold locket lies open next to a faded portrait of a woman in traditional attire. The paper has yellowed, with edges frayed and soft against the rough wood of the shelf. A thin layer of gray dust settles in the crevices of the wood, catching the bright window light that falls across the objects. The gold surface reflects the pale walls, against the muted sepia tones of the photograph. The hinge of the locket appears worn smooth, resting directly on the grain of the shelf alongside the portrait.