23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
Reed Island Silence

A woman in traditional attire stands alone on the woven totora reeds of a floating island on Lake Titicaca, Peru. Captured in infrared 720nm, the scene appears surreal and almost lunar—her dress and hat rendered in soft, ghostly whites against the deep blue of the sky and water. The shot highlights the enduring traditions of the Uros people, whose homes, islands, and daily lives center around the resilient totora plant and the tranquil, ancient waters that have sustained them for centuries.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2025
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Peru
Camera: NIKON D750
Copyright: © Alexandre Brisson