23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
The Alhambra

While exploring the breathtaking Alhambra in Granada, Spain, I found countless opportunities for photographs, but this moment stood out above the rest. From inside one of the palaces, I turned back and noticed the courtyard framed by a single archway. The contrast between the shadowed interior and the sunlit exterior created a striking interplay of light and form. The intricate patterns of the arch seemed to glow, perfectly highlighted by the natural light of that instant. This balance of darkness and illumination gave the scene a sense of depth and timeless beauty that I was compelled to capture.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 09.2025
Date Uploaded: 10.2025
Photo Location: Granada, Spain
Camera: ILCE-7RM3
Copyright: © Jonathan Sankey