21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
A simple rose in the garden

Image taken in August in our backyard in Brasilia, Brazil. I was advised by my doctors to resume photography as a hobby, as they think it will help me recover from lingering cognitive effects of COVID-19. Back in May I decided to try, despite having challenges with color and contrast perception. Major photo outings were not viable, so I began snapping images just in the backyard or around the neighborhood when my energy and lighting allowed. The stillness of the flower, against a dark background, made me think of the need to hold on to bright things and moments while trying to find a way out of cognitive darkness.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2023
Date Uploaded: 09.2023
Photo Location: Brasilia, Brazil
Camera: NIKON Z 9
Copyright: © Jairo Valverde Bermudez