23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Artistic
Homesick Shadows

It captures the layered presence of memory and absence through a double exposure and photomontage of my parents’ yard. Shadows and light intertwine, folding past and present, home and distance, into a single frame. The image evokes longing and the quiet weight of separation, where physical spaces hold traces of those who are no longer near. It is a meditation on family, memory, and the emotional landscapes that persist beyond borders.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2025
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
Camera: Canon EOS 70D
Copyright: © Maryam Ghasempour Siahgaldeh