23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
The Weight of Survival
At the Kawah Ijen volcano in East Java, Indonesia, a miner carries baskets filled with solid sulfur up a steep trail from the crater. Each load weighs up to 80 kilograms and is transported through toxic fumes and scorching terrain. The photograph reveals the harsh reality of this dangerous work; a daily struggle for survival and dignity amid the beauty of a volcanic landscape.
Photo Detail
| Date Taken: | 10.2025 |
| Date Uploaded: | 11.2025 |
| Photo Location: | Lcin, Indonesia |
| Camera: | Canon EOS 5D Mark III |
| Copyright: | © Marcello Perino |