23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
The Rhythm of Contrast

A striking composition founded on hard geometry and intense color captured in Cotacachi, Ecuador. This photograph showcases two adjacent structures: a smooth, cream-colored wall with a simple arched window, meeting a vibrant red wall detailed with stacked black bricks and a dark, grilled entrance. The intentional simplicity of the color blocks and the contrasting textures create a dynamic, modern portrait of the traditional architecture.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 05.2024
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Cotacachi, Ecuador
Copyright: © Christy Mandeville