15th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Mobile
The reflection of Peace

This photo was taken when I visited to Nagazaki Peace Park located in Nagazaki, Japan. It was created to represent the wish for world peace and a vow that such a tragic war would never be repeated. The park features the 9.7-meter-high Peace Statue symbolizing the Nagasaki citizens' wish for peace. Sculptor Seibou Kitamura, a Nagasaki native, created this statue as a symbol of the divine love and mercy of Buddha. The raised right hand points to the heavens to signify the threat of atomic weapons while the left arm is raised horizontally to represent the wish for peace. The figure's eyes are lightly closed in prayer for the souls of the atomic bomb victims. While thinking how to shoot the photo with this status in creative way, I saw that guy who was looking at the status and the reflection in water. It seems that he might think the bad things happened in the past because of the atomic bomb and the value of peace. Therefore, I shot the reflection of that guy and the status together quickly. Whenever I saw that photo, it reminds me the value of peace and love.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 01.2017
Date Uploaded: 05.2017
Photo Location: Japan
Camera: iPhone 7
Copyright: © Aung Ko Latt