Last Smoke Before The Storm

Photographer

Paul Bride

Category

Special Category - Travel Photography

Company

Paul Bride Photography

Submission Group

Professional

Year

2026

Country / Region:

Canada

Leaving the jungle of the Mentawai islands, we crossed electric turquoise water toward a tiny island as a storm gathered over the horizon. The air was thick with the tension before the sky breaks open. At the bow three warriors sat shoulder to shoulder in traditional dress smoking their last cigarettes. Minutes later the rain would hammer down, but for that brief stretch everything aligned