Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

22nd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
Echoes of an Ancient Craft

An elderly cormorant fisherman stands proudly on a bamboo raft floating on the Li River in China, framed by the towering karst mountains. Dressed in traditional red and black clothing, he holds a bamboo pole with two cormorants perched at either end, recalling an ancient fishing practice that no longer exists. A lantern glows softly at the bow of the raft, casting reflections on the still water as dusk approaches. The scene evokes a sense of timelessness, blending tradition, nature, and myth, as if the fisherman is the last guardian of a fading legend.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 11.2024
Date Uploaded: 12.2024
Photo Location: China
Camera: NIKON Z 7_2
Copyright: © Alexandre Brisson