Location: Dubrovnik, Croatia
Date: May 2019
Photographer: Jennifer Morris
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Staff
Category: Places
Award: Honorable Mention

In the artist's own words: "I was watching the sunset from a Croatian pier used in Game of Thrones (Blackwater Bay, to be specific). I waited for the perfect light to coat the craggy cliffs, while thinking of clever references to Westeros. Just as the sun was setting, a pirate ship came swashbuckling by, teetering and tottering with the rough sea. Hurrying around to make sure I caught just the right light, only to be made more perfect by a pirate ship's evening sail. One can only imagine who was on board, perhaps pirates, perhaps someone making their getaway with a load of gold doubloons. Perhaps a landlubber who's in way over his head or a couple of other scallywags. I'll never know, but that's the best part."

Location: Opatija, Croatia
Date: March 2019
Photographer: Michael Vuolo
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Faculty
Category: Places
Award: Honorable Mention

"The Croatian coast is known for its beauty. In a small town called Opatija on the Istria peninsula and overlooking the Rijeka Bay is a statue known as the Maiden with the Seagull, who holds a seagull in her right hand. No one knows who the Maiden is supposed to be. I took many pictures of the statue as the sun began to set over the Adriatic Sea. But as I approached from the back, a real-life seagull decided to land on her head. I took this photo while on a multi-country Fulbright, in which I spent 5 weeks in Croatia, 4 weeks in Paris, and 3 months in Portugal. This picture is my favorite among literally thousands of pictures that I took. The timing of the seagull landing on her head with the background was just so perfect to me. And I was all alone journeying along the coast, a first for me in a foreign country, but the photo is meaningful to me as a reflection of that journey."

Location: Dakar, Senegal
Date: January 2019
Photographer: Jason Buchea
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Graduate Student
Category: People
Award: Honorable Mention

In the artist's on words: "Singer Baaba Maal fixes his gaze in the distance as his rich and pensive voice calls out the opening notes of his song "Wango", a eulogy for a fallen king, which was used as the theme song for the Afrofuturist blockbuster Black Panther. An artist and UN Cultural Emissary, Baaba Maal draws upon his deep roots in Pulaar traditional culture to express his vision and hopes for a radiant African future. For me, this photo really channels the melancholy tones of colonization and a sense of longing for a past, while faithfully looking to the horizon for the assurance of a new day. I can not look at it without hearing the song. Photo taken during a concert in Dakar on New Year's Eve, 2019."

Location: Deadvlei, Namibia
Date: December 2018
Photographer: Steven Kenworthy
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Alumni
Category: Places
Award: Honorable Mention

"Ever since I saw the movie "The Cell", I became obsessed with Deadvlei, Namibia. This remote place is captivating and mysterious, more so than any other place I've been on the globe. It took more than 5 hours of driving on terrifying gravel roads to arrive here and it was worth every minute of stress. Deadvlei tops my list of enchanting destinations most people would never bother to visit."

Location: Dhofar, Oman
Date: October 2018
Photographer: Mark Moritz
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Faculty
Category: Arts & Culture
Award: Honorable Mention

"It is a picture of me taking a picture of our guide Hassan Mahri feeding his favorite camel a treat. Hassan's family traditionally kept camels for subsistence, but with the rapid economic development of Dhofar, keeping camels is no longer an economic necessity, but a cultural commitment."

Location: Yamaguchi, Japan
Date: October 2018
Photographer: Steven Hirsch
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Alumni
Category: Places
Award: 1st Place

"Churieto Pagoda is a 5 story shrine in Arakurayama Sengen Park overlooking Mt. Fuji. On my birthday last year I woke in the early morning darkness and climbed the 398 steps leading to the top of the mountainside. After catching my breath from the climb, I once again was breathless as the sun rose and illuminated the Pagoda and Mt. Fuji. Immersed in the Japanese culture for 3 weeks this was surely one of my highlights from the visit there."

Location: Valencia, Spain
Date: March 2014
Photographer: Stacy Orbaker
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Staff
Category: People

In the artist's words: "During the month of March, Valencia Spain is host to Fallas. Each neighborhood in Valencia has a Fallero/a Mayor as well as a court. They are the faces of the neighborhood during the year leading up to the culminating event on March 19th. I took this image during a parade in which each neighborhood walks to the Plaza de la Virgen. The march is long and tiring but filled with emotions and traditions. This candid moment represents to me that we as humans are complex yet simple. A Fallera uses a Fallero's sunglasses to reapply her lipstick after eating as she marched to represent her neighborhood."

Location: Annapurna, Nepal
Date: December 2018
Photographer: Robert Gauche
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Alumni
Category: Places
Award: Honorable Mention

"Morning sun and rising clouds came together to form an ethereal dragon that crept slowly through the sky. We stood in awe of the strength and beauty of nature as mystical creature slowly dissipated with the coming sun."

Location: Nubian Village, Aswan, Egypt
Date: July 2019
Photographer: Zi Yuan
Home Country: China
University Affiliation: Undergraduate Student
Category: People

In the artist's words: "This photo was taken in a very colorful little village inhabited by the locals Nubians. The Nubians originate from the early inhabitants of the central Nile valley, believed to be one of the earliest cradles of civilization. In the photo, the two Nubian women and the kid are looking toward the same direction simultaneously. What is causing their attention might be a tour group or some new gadgets from the outside world. However, it is the difference between the looks of the children and the two women, that makes me love this photo even more. To look closely, there seem to be nothing but pure curiosity and wonder in the little kid's eyes. On the contrary, in the women's eyes, there seems to be a little extra mind of vigilance, and calm. It is sad that we become less and less naive and true to ourselves, because of the outside influence nowadays."

Location: Puno, Peru
Date: February 2018
Photographer: Vanessa Burrowes
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Alumni
Category: Arts & Culture
Award: 1st Place

"La Festividad de la Virgen de la Candelaria was declared a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2014. The festival seemingly lasts for nearly the entire month of February each year as the small city of Puno, Peru gears up for the 2nd largest cultural festival in South America. I had the opportunity to participate in two annual celebrations of this festival during my 1.5 years of working in Puno. With over 100 dance troupes from all over Peru and surrounding countries, and nearly just as many styles of traditional dance, this festival was a true feast of colors, sounds, food, and music for all the body's senses. This was one of my favorite pictures taken during the competition held in the city's main stadium. During this brief moment amidst all the televised chaos of dance teams entering, exiting, and getting ready to receive their grading from judges, a lady looked briefly back through all the feathers, noise, and ribbons to find her friend in the crowded stadium without much luck, before dissolving once more into the colorful swirl of Candelaria."

Location: Pura Lempuyang Temple, Bali, Indonesia
Date: December 2018
Photographer: Dan Reeve
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Staff
Category: People

In the artist's words: "For my 40th birthday my wife and I took a 3 week trip to Bali Indonesia. We traveled the entire island and took in many of the sights. One of the most amazing places you can visit is the Pura Lempuyang temple. The temple itself is not that large, and not that interesting except for this one spectacular view/photo opportunity. Dubbed the "Gates of Heaven" by westerners this is truly magical. This photo is straight off a iPhone 7. No filters or alterations have been made to the picture. (and yes that's me doing the goofy jump) You must make it to Bali if you ever have the chance."

Location: Chongqing, China
Date: May 2019
Photographer: Shih-Hong Lee
Home Country: Taiwan
University Affiliation: Alumni
Category: Places
Award: Honorable Mention

In the artist's words: "The station is unfamiliar, yet familiar. It captures you in a fleeting moment that seems everlasting. How complex, rich, deep, hesitant, uneasy, brave people are. The same goes with this city."

Location: Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, India
Date: August 2019
Photographer: Kate Holland
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Undergraduate Student
Category: Arts & Culture
Award: Honorable Mention

In the artist's own words: "As the monsoon rains cloud over the high mountain caps and rage with endless fury on the lands below, the activity of the villages seem to only get more busy. Monsoon season is an auspicious time, and the villagers are always seeking to please the gods. Here, one can see three men as they prepare a village-wide feast. This auspicious event requires the work of many young men who prepare a meal for the village in honor of the gods. Wearing unstitched cloth and nothing on their feet, these men must maintain the purity of the sacred kitchen space.

While doing ethnographic fieldwork in the Kullu Valley, I was privileged to partake in many religious events. Here, I was captivated by the way that one could tell such a profound story of cultural significance without even depicting the full person. These events are about more than the people involved and there is something to be said for telling a narrative without implicitly stating that the form of a person is at the heart of the story they are leading."

Location: Venice, Italy
Date: June 2019
Photographer: Angshuman Kapil
Home Country: India
University Affiliation: Graduate Student
Category: Places
Award: People's Choice
Award: Honorable Mention

"An idyllic afternoon in the city on water, where nature and man's greatest architecture compliments in a way like no other. While roaming around the numerous bridges in Venice, this view with the perfect natural balance and contrast of light on both sides of the canal caught my attention."

Location: Alberta, Canada
Date: September 2019
Photographer: KC Becker
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Staff
Category: Places
Award: Honorable Mention

"Located in Banff National Park, Lake Louise is known for its turquoise water, Victoria Glacier, soaring mountain backdrop, and historic Fairmont Chateau. Captivating adventurers worldwide, the site hosts a variety of hiking trails and breathtaking views whether high atop the mountain or riding the rippling water in a bright red canoe."

Location: Puno, Peru
Date: October 2017
Photographer: Vanessa Burrowes
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Alumni
Category: People
Award: 2nd Place

In the artist's words: "While I was doing my PhD research in Puno, Peru this past 1.5 years, I had the opportunity to go with some friends to a horse exhibition show out in one of our rural field sites. The event had a combination of horse races, sales, and even traditional Andean dances that several groups of children were performing out in the arena. This photo was taken a few minutes after all of the people gathered ran for shelter from a sudden hail storm, a common event at that altitude of 13,000 ft above sea level. I love this photo because while the weather wasn't ideal, I had a wonderful time with my group and will never forget befriending this group of kids during that hour we were trapped inside together, who were all dressed for the horse races but, temporarily, had nowhere to go."

Location: Ladakh, India
Date: July 2015
Photographer: Vinay Ravi
Home Country: India
University Affiliation: Alumni
Category: Arts & Culture
Award: Best in Show

"Monks are seen making a sand Mandala that is rooted in Buddhist rituals and ceremonies. It is a very colorful and beautiful sand art that consists of geometric patterns with each aspect having deep symbolism and meaning. This activity is accompanied by singing, chanting and playing of musical instruments to arouse positive energy of the deity into the environment. For me, it was definitely a once in a lifetime, enriching experience."

Location: Darwar, Gurez Valley, Kashmir, India
Date: February 2017
Photographer: Lopa Basu
Home Country: India
University Affiliation: Alumni
Category: People
Award: Honorable Mention

In the artist's words: "Meet my innocent friend Nazia Jaan, she lives in one of the remotest villages bordering India - Pakistan called Dawar. In this image, I was lucky to catch her expression before she shied away into her log house. The children of Gurez valley, Kashmir, live in areas around "no-man's land" and share the burden of the longest international dispute in the world today."

Location: Berlin, Germany
Date: June 2019
Photographer: Jorge Torres
Home Country: Mexico
University Affiliation: Graduate Student
Category: People
Award: Honorable Mention

In the artist’s own words: "This photo was taken at the Brandenburg Gate. The man was selling pretzels to all the tourists visiting the monument, and he was wearing what appeared to be a military hat. It's meaningful to me from the perspective of what the Brandenburg Gate represents: "a symbol of the tumultuous history of Europe and Germany", and, on the other hand, in the picture we have a person peacefully wearing a military hat and selling pretzels."

Location: Kyoto, Japan
Date: October 2018
Photographer: Steven Hirsch
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Alumni
Category: People
Award: Honorable Mention

"While on vacation in Japan in October 2018 one early morning I was meandering around a koi pond at KinkuJi the Golden temple. A Japanese woman was strolling in front of me in her colorful kimono and I thought what a wonderful reflection she would make in the pond. As she stopped along the edge of the pond I snapped a few quick pictures of her and then shared them with her, showing her the back of the LCD on my camera. She loved them! I have flipped the image as that's how my eye saw her walking and it registers with my brain better this way."

Location: Nubian Village, Aswan, Egypt
Date: July 2019
Photographer: Zi Yuan
University Affiliation: Undergraduate Student
Category: Places
Award: Honorable Mention

In the artist's own words: "I took this photo upon departure at the Nubian village that's located by the Nile river. I was really tired after walking for an entire day. By the time I was about to get on the boat to head back, I saw this man who was finishing up his work in front of the beautiful Nile river at sunset. He was ready to go home and rest just like me. The moment was very resonating, and I took the photograph. The static beauty of the Nile is perfectly captured in this photo through the calm water, resting moon, orange sundown and the tired Egyptian man."

Location: Porto, Portugal
Date: July 2019
Photographer: Phillip Popovich
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Faculty
Category: Arts & Culture
Award: Honorable Mention

"Modern art exhibition built on to building on Vila Nova de Gaia in Porto. The colors and 3D effect of the rabbit are striking as was the clear blue sky that contrasted with not only the art, but the orange building onto which the rabbit was built."

Location: Chester, England
Date: March 2019
Photographer: Erin Brown
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Undergraduate Student
Category: Places
Award: Honorable Mention

"We were in the oldest church in Chester and this was a glass window looking out into the the garden on a serene day."

Location: Venice, Italy
Date: May 2016
Photographer: Rachel Mager
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Alumni
Category: Arts & Culture
Award: 3rd Place

"Venice is a bright and lively city created by human hands and shaped by the water it floats on. This striking sculpture by Lorenzo Quinn is called "Support", and it makes a huge statement about the necessity of innovation to a city constantly dealing with the affects of time and changing weather. With sinking buildings and rising water, Venetians have learned to adapt. Large scale, cutting edge civil engineering projects have been implemented hand in hand with simple elevated plywood walking platforms. Water is no stranger to a culture shaped by canals, bridges, and boats, and this city will continue to flourish as long as the world continues to support it."

Location: Valencia, Spain
Date: March 2016
Photographer: Stacy Orbaker
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Staff
Category: Arts & Culture
Award: Honorable Mention

Facebook - Smiling through the burn

"The festival known as Fallas concludes with La Cremá on March 19th (Saint Joseph's Day). Each neighborhood celebrates by burning the monument that they had worked diligently to create over the course of the past year. Without pause, the Fallero/a light the fuse of fireworks thus causing the monument to become inflamed. Having befriended this neighborhood, I was sure to be present for la cremá. Being able to personally observe this tradition amongst friends was a memory I will treasure for eternity. Filled with emotions, I stood watching the intricate monument burn. The smile on the clown reminds me of the smile in the hearts of the Fallero/a despite the tears on their cheeks. Encapsulated by flames, a smile shines through as a new year of planning begins."

Location: Beijing, China
Date: June 2019
Photographer: Alexander Wang
Home Country: China
University Affiliation: Undergraduate Student
Category: People
Award: Honorable Mention

Facebook - Star Hunter
Instagram - Star Hunter

In the artist’s own words: "My friend Yuchen and I traveled around the world to take photos of stars, but Beijing-capital of China-is too prosperous to get a shot for its strong neon lights affection. We thus climbed to the top of the Mount. Xiang-a 500 meters above horizontal and over 20 kilometers away from the metropolitan-to try whether we can get a satisfactory star picture belongs to Beijing. Here Yuchen was observing stars with his telescope and can not stop his excitement, he even refused to talk to me for not disturbing his "best observation period." I stand by his side and took this shot to stop this amazingly beautiful moment and to celebrate our grand successful."

Location: Ubud, Indonesia
Date: July 2019
Photographer: Carmen Grande Pardo
Home Country: Spain
University Affiliation: Graduate Student
Category: Places
Award: Honorable Mention

In the artist's own words: "This is a worker of the Tegallalang rice terraces in Ubud, Indonesia. Rice terraces are one of the most impressive architectural structures that a human could think of. The use of space up a hill is brilliant. During my month long trip throughout all Indonesia, I find these terraces the most impressive thing. I was also impressed by the ability of the workers to move in the rice terraces to cultivate the rice and make sure that it is ready when the time comes. Indonesia's economy is centered in rice production and sale, so even though the terraces are a great touristic attraction, they serve as many people's food and form of income. I have traveled to multiple countries (including eight this summer) but what I captured in this photo left me breathless. The combination of colors and the culture immersion that it produces me takes me right back to probably the best trip of my life."

Location: Hangzhou, China
Date: January 2018
Photographer: Yifei Miao
Home Country: China
University Affiliation: Undergraduate Student
Category: Arts & Culture
Award: Honorable Mention

In the artist's words: "This photo is one of my winter west lake pictures. On a snowy morning, the trees, people, and pavilions on the white dike form reflections on the calm lake, which is very harmonious. A bird flies into the field of view, adding a moving element to the picture. This photo ultimately reflects my quiet heart at that time, because Hangzhou has such a calm snow day is very rare."

Location: Kullu Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India
Date: July 2019
Photographer: Kate Holland
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Undergraduate Student
Category: People

In the artist's words: "In the remote villages of the Kullu Valley, ancient spiritual traditions still abound in everyday life. Here, a local village elder loudly blows an ancient, large brass horn, signaling to the gods. Meanwhile, young men, bedecked in marigold caps and elaborate costume, sang folk songs and performed traditional line dances known locally as naati until the sun set. This festival, occurring in the village square, involves multiple days of events all which mark the interactions of the mahadevis, or great goddesses, and the rishis, or sages.

On this particular day, the locals celebrated Parashara Rishi, a great sage who was the author of the first Purana, an ancient Hindu text. Adorning the man's traditional topi hat is a brightly colored ribbon with patterns that hearken the designs of Shiva temples and hold offerings given from the goddesses and rishis themselves. These offerings are obtained by local villagers upon consulting the goddess and asking for advice via a rice oracle or shaman during such festivals. While conducting anthropological fieldwork in the region, I was privileged to be able to witness and learn about such practices and partake in these auspicious celebrations."

Location: Chiang Rai, Thailand
Date: May 2019
Photographer: Amanda Miller
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Undergraduate Student
Category: Arts & Culture
Award: Honorable Mention

"Even half-way around the world, American history seeps into what seems to be a historically Thai temple. The building captured in this image (Wat Rong Khun) of Chiang Rai, Thailand, in an art piece that embodies design elements from classic Thai architecture and yet holds images of Western idols and terrorists attacks such as the World Trade Center attack. American history can be seen, heard, and reflected back all across the world. But can the same be said of foreign powers within American soil?"

Location: Tokyo, Japan
Date: October 2018
Photographer: Steven Hirsch
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Alumni
Category: Arts & Culture
Award: Honorable Mention

In the artist's words: "Just off the Shinjuku station in Tokyo lies a collection of small bars, yakitori grills and food stalls that seems to be "THE" place for locals for a quick meal and to gather with friends. This narrow street suffered a fire in 1999 but fortunately the local government decided to rebuild it preserving the old Japan vibe it represented."

Location: Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province, China
Date: July 2019
Photographer: Terrance Hou
Home Country: China
University Affiliation: Alumni
Category: Places
Award: Honorable Mention

"This is a photo taken at Zhenjiang South Railway Station when I came back from work at 7 p.m. Since I am currently working in another city which is 20-min away by railway from Zhenjiang, my hometown, I take railway to work and back home every day. It is just a pure satisfaction to see such a view when I finish my tiring work in one day. The scene seemingly shows a sense of solitary, however, it also shows purpose. People who have get off the railway are heading home or meeting with friends, while others are waiting for their railway to reach their goal. Someone has finished his/her day and others are still on the way. Just a simple cycle of real life."