23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
Mist of Relief

Captured during the Ashura ceremony in Sabzevar, Iran. Due to the scorching summer heat and the dense crowd of mourners, water is sprayed into the air to cool the people down. This candid moment captures the immediate physical relief on the faces of the men as they are enveloped in the cooling mist. The water vapor creates a dreamlike atmosphere, blending the intensity of the ritual with a fleeting moment of comfort.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2025
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: sabzevar, Iran
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Copyright: © Seyyed Mostafa Yousefi