23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
Over the Clouds

A striking scene of contemplation and awe high in the Tây Nguyên (Central Highlands). A lone figure stands on an elevated viewpoint, back to the camera, pausing to enjoy the vast, dramatic landscape. Below, rolling hills covered in lush green foliage are partially obscured by atmospheric mist and low-hanging clouds. The brooding, cloudy sky and the layered mountains create a powerful sense of depth and scale, reflecting the quiet majesty of the Vietnamese highlands.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 05.2024
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Tay Nguyen, Vietnam
Camera: NIKON Z 8
Copyright: © Hung Phung QUang