23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest The American Experience
Half Dome Aflame

Bathed in the fiery glow of sunset, the granite face of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park stands as a monument to nature’s raw power and timeless beauty. The sheer vertical wall, carved by ancient glaciers and polished by centuries of wind and weather, catches the last light of day, glowing in brilliant shades of red and gold. Below, the forested valley fades into deep shadow, emphasizing the immense scale of the towering cliff. A small aircraft—tiny against the massive rock—soars near the base, a striking reminder of humanity’s fragility and our enduring fascination with the natural world’s grandeur.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 10.2025
Date Uploaded: 10.2025
Photo Location: California, United States of America
Camera: NIKON D810
Copyright: © Jassen Todorov