23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
Dreams Floating on the River

This photograph captures a moment of stillness in the restless heart of the river. The boatmen—after long hours of labor—lie asleep in their wooden boats, sheltered only by fragile mosquito nets. Their boats become both workplace and home, and the river becomes the only witness to their quiet dreams. The colorful nets resemble floating cocoons, symbolizing how even in uncertainty, humans seek warmth, safety, and rest. Beneath this serene composition lies an unspoken truth: those who carry the weight of a city’s movement often sleep on waters that never rest. Through this image, I aim to highlight the dignity, resilience, and poetic rhythm of lives lived close to nature yet far from privilege. It is a tribute to the invisible workforce who shape our everyday existence but remain hidden in society’s shadows.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 04.2024
Date Uploaded: 12.2025
Photo Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Copyright: © Istiyak Ahamed