“A Peek into the Garden”
Location: Kyoto, Japan
Date: February 2018
Photographer: Kelly Hays
Affiliation: Staff
Home Country: United States
Category: People
Award: Honorable Mention
2024 International Photography Exhibition

"Peeking through a curtain into a garden in Kyoto, Japan, I saw a Buddhist Monk catching up on the news of the day on his phone."

“Aftermath of Holi”
Location: Bangladesh
Date: March 2014
Photographer: Mashnur Rashid
Affiliation: Graduate Student
Home Country: Bangladesh
Category: Arts & Culture
Award: Honorable Mention
2024 International Photography Exhibition

"This is a photo taken right after the rituals of Holi, the color festival, celebrated mainly in India & Bangladesh. The subject's eyes in this photo are very catchy and show the excitement, tiredness, and eagerness at the end of the festival."

“Brincando com o rio”
Location: Lisboa, Portugal
Date: August 2024
Photographer: Maria Vitória de Rezende Grisi
Affiliation: Graduate Student
Home Country: Brazil
Category: People
Award: Honorable Mention and People's Choice
2024 International Photography Exhibition

"This picture shows two kids playing by the shore of Rio Tejo (Tejo River) in Lisboa, Portugal. I was looking at all the people and how they reacted to the river, to the beautiful constructions around them (Terreiro do Paço), and to the sun that was setting at the moment. These kids caught my attention as they were playing with the waves that would come and go, and they did not seem to care about anything else. Among all the chaos of tourism, Tuk Tuks trying to sell rides, street artists, and vendors, these kids seemed to care only about the waves that were touching their feet."

“Chandelier maker”
Location: Tehran, Iran
Date: August 2014
Photographer: Fateme Mohammadi Maklavani
Affiliation: Graduate Student
Home Country: Iran
Category: Arts & Culture
Award: Honorable Mention
2024 International Photography Exhibition

"In Iran, the art of chandelier making has a long tradition, blending intricate craftsmanship with artistic design. Iranian chandelier makers are known for creating elaborate and ornate chandeliers that often feature glass, crystal, and metal components. These chandeliers are used in mosques, palaces, and homes, reflecting both traditional Persian aesthetics and modern styles. The craft is highly valued in Iran, where chandeliers are seen as symbols of elegance and luxury."

“Chichu”
Location: Naoshima, Japan
Date: May 2024
Photographer: Iman Ansari
Affiliation: Faculty
Home Country: United States
Category: People
Award: Honorable Mention
2024 International Photography Exhibition

"View of the courtyard at Tadao Ando's Chichu Museum (built in 2004), in Naoshima Island in Japan. The photograph was taken from the narrow slit that wraps around the concrete walls of the courtyard, revealing a moment of encounter between the visitors, as well as the elements of architecture."

“Circles”
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Date: April 2024
Photographer: Geoffrey Xue
Affiliation: Undergraduate student
Home Country: United States
Category: Arts & Culture
Award: Honorable Mention
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“The most beautiful country with the most delicious food. Try counting all the different dishes!”

“Dance of Forgotten Time”
Location: Bagnapara, India
Date: August 2024
Photographer: Somdutta Mukherjee
Affiliation: Undergraduate Student
Home Country: United States
Category: People
Award: Honorable Mention
2024 International Photography Exhibition

"This photo holds deep meaning as it captures a moment during a visit to Bagnapara, the village where my grandfather was born and raised before moving to Kolkata. The trip was a journey into our family's roots, a chance to connect with the place that shaped my grandfather's early life.

On our way back, we stopped to admire a terracotta temple, a beautiful relic of the past, showcasing the skill and creativity of ancient craftsmen. As we marveled at the intricate details of the temple, a sudden rainstorm swept through the area, flooding the roads and driving us to seek shelter within the temple's embrace.

What could have been an inconvenience turned into an unforgettable experience. The rain danced to the rhythm of the storm, creating a mesmerizing symphony of nature around the temple. The beauty of the rain, seemingly flying all around us, was a reminder of nature's raw and unpredictable power.

We ate our lunch there, surrounded by the storm's energy, and as the rain continued to pour, it became impossible to resist its call. We kicked off our shoes, and in that ancient space, we let go of everything, jumping and dancing in the puddles that formed around us.

This photo captures that spontaneous joy, a moment where time stood still, and the past and present merged in the most beautiful way. It's meaningful because it represents not just a memory of that day, but a connection to our family's history, a celebration of life, and the simple, pure happiness found in moments shared with loved ones.”

“Dancing in the Dark”
Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Date: July 2024
Photographer: Richard Smith
Affiliation: Alumni
Home Country: United States
Category: Arts & Culture
Award: First Place
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“After attending several Bali dance performances, we had the opportunity to photograph one dancer performing in a dark environment to capture the movement of the dance on a still image. Balinese dance isn't just about elegant movements, colorful costumes, or rhythmic music. It is an intricate tapestry, interwoven with spiritual threads and deeply entwined in the Balinese Hindu Religion.”

“Dreaming in Daylight”
Location: Hefei, Anhui, China
Date: September 2022
Photographer: Yuting Ning
Affiliation: Graduate student
Home Country: China
Category: People
Award: Honorable Mention
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“I took this photo of my friend at our university. This photo captures a quiet, dreamlike moment where the evening sunlight gently pours in her face. It is an homage to those precious, everyday moments that feel like they belong in a dream.”

“Echoes of Knowledge”
Location: Iran
Date: April 2021
Photographer: Mehran Shirazi
Affiliation: Graduate student
Home Country: Iran
Category: Arts & Culture
Award: Third Place
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“This photo captures the owner of a small bookstore in Iran, sitting quietly in front of his shop. The title 'Echoes of Knowledge' reflects how he and his books represent the passing down of wisdom and cultural heritage through the generations.”

“Grace and Restraint”
Location: Havana, Cuba
Date: February 2024
Photographer: Wendy Pramik
Affiliation: Staff
Home Country: United States
Category: Arts & Culture
Award: Second Place
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“While attending a photography workshop in Cuba in February 2024, I had the opportunity to photograph ballerinas from Cuba’s acclaimed Ballet Nacional de Cuba at a mansion in the Vedado neighborhood. We worked individually with the dancers, requesting that they pose in various spaces. I focused on adding depth to my photos by incorporating elements in both the foreground and background. I particularly liked this photo because I felt it captured the significance of ballet in Cuban culture—where ballerinas earn a respectable wage of $30 a month—while also highlighting the limitations on freedom of expression in a country where the government controls all media and restricts access to outside information.”

“Grapefruit Peeler at the Port”
Location: Essaouira, Morocco 
Date: December 2018
Photographer: Kaz Rafia
Affiliation: Alumni
Home Country: United States
Category: People
Award: Honorable Mention
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“Young man running his family business of generation, peeling grapefruits at a humble stand just outside the port, beaming with content and happiness. ”

“Holi”
Location: Mumbai, India
Date: March 2024
Photographer: Iman Ansari
Affiliation: Faculty
Home Country: United States
Category: Arts & Culture
Award: Honorable Mention
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“Holi festival in Mumbai, India. I flew for twenty-two hours over dark grey skies, running on little sleep, but landed in India just in time for this incredible burst of colors and energy.”

“Huayhuash - Into The Wild”
Location: Cordillera Huayhuash circuit, Peru
Date: February 2018
Photographer: Shin Wong
Affiliation: Alumni
Home Country: United States
Category: Places
Award: Second Place
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“This area was made famous by the book and film 'Touching the Void'. One of the most beautiful scenes in the Andes.”

“In Mama's Footsteps”
Location: Casablanca, Morocco
Date: September 2022
Photographer: Kate Holland '21
Affiliation: Alumni
Home Country: United States
Category: Places
Award: Honorable Mention
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“Here, a young boy holds his mother's hand as he skips along after prayer at the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco.”

“Kathmandu Kids”
Location: Kathmandu, Nepal
Date: July 2014
Photographer: Ryan Staples
Affiliation: Staff
Home Country: United States
Category: People
Award: First Place
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“In spite of the rain, these Kathmandu school children were eager to start a football match in the square the minute class dismissed. My eye was drawn to how the one student stood above the others for a better vantage point as they awaited their friends.”

“Lost in Learning”
Location: Havana, Cuba
Date: February 2024
Photographer: Wendy Pramik
Affiliation: Staff and Alumni
Home Country: United States
Category: People
Award: Honorable Mention
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“I visited a classroom of elementary students while participating in a photo workshop in Havana, Cuba in February 2024. All the young students seemed interested in their curious visitors, except for one boy who remained focused on his classwork. He never looked up. I loved his concentration and the natural light filtering through the window, illuminating him. I was also drawn to the sweet gesture of his left hand holding his paper in place and the softness of his expression.”

“Lotus”
Location: Singapore
Date: May 2024
Photographer: Linfeng Cao
Affiliation: Graduate student
Home Country: China
Category: Places
Award: Honorable Mention
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“In the bustling heart of an international metropolis, the lotus flowers in the pond thrive, complementing the surrounding skyscrapers in a harmonious blend. This makes me feel the vitality and innovation of the city.”

“Morning Glory”
Location: Machu Picchu, Peru
Date: May 2024
Photographer: Jen Heaton
Affiliation: Staff
Home Country: United States
Category: Places
Award: Honorable Mention
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“In the fleeting morning light, Machu Picchu sits in the clouds, its ancient terraces softly illuminated by the sun's gentle rays.”

“Multiple Tickets”
Location: Sydney, Australia
Date: March 2023
Photographer: Shaoru Cheng
Affiliation: Graduate student
Home Country: China
Category: People
Award: Honorable Mention
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“As I drift upon the lake in my boat, I glimpse a woman sitting by the window, deep in thought. Her gaze is as profound as an abyss. Maybe she was thinking: if I had an extra ticket, would you join me on this journey, together exploring the unknown, hearts intertwined?”

“Nepalese Mystic”
Location: Kathmandu, Nepal
Date: December 2018
Photographer: Robert Gauche
Affiliation: Alumni
Home Country: United States
Category: People
Award: Honorable Mention
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“This photo is of a mystic in Nepal. He was taking a break between performing religious rights at Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu. The brightly colored clothes and face painting of the subject stood in stark contrast to the sadness of the cremations taking place meters away.”

“On top of the world”
Location: Ladakh, India
Date: February 2018
Photographer: Sabyasachi Mitra
Affiliation: Graduate student
Home Country: India
Category: Places
Award: Honorable Mention
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“While on the way to Lake Pangong Tso via the Changla Pass, which is at an elevation of  17,688 ft, I clicked this pic overlooking the valley below. Apart from the stunning landscape, the other thing which I really like is while the mountain on the left is covered in snow, the one on the right is displaying it's rugged nature due to the scorching sun.”

“Past and present”
Location: València, Spain
Date: July 2024
Photographer: Natàlia Server Benetó
Affiliation: Graduate student
Home Country: Spain
Category: People
Award: Honorable Mention
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“Four friends, four women, admire a painting that depicts a social class and a time that is so distant from them. On a Sunday morning, reminiscing about the past with the people with whom you share your present seems like a lovely activity.”

“Realizing Loss”
Location: Otavalo, Ecuador
Date: February 2011
Photographer: Robert Coulter
Affiliation: Alumni
Home Country: United States
Category: People
Award: Honorable Mention
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“We were walking the streets of Otavalo looking for special situations that would help define our experience there when we came upon a funeral procession. The young girl was clearly the center of grief, and we were overwhelmed by the warmth and focus of the love being shown for her and the lost relative.”

“Sea of Sand”
Location: Sahara Desert, Morocco 
Date: March 2024
Photographer: Jonny Ciccero
Affiliation: Undergraduate student
Home Country: United States
Category: People
Award: Honorable Mention
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“I got to visit Morocco during my time abroad. On our camel ride excursion, I was in awe of the vastness and calmness of the desert. I wanted to capture a scene that many people have seen online, in media, etc. but haven’t actually experienced.”

“silent yearning”
Location: China
Date: February 2023
Photographer: Yu Zhao
Affiliation: Graduate student
Home Country: China
Category: People
Award: Honorable Mention
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“The subject of this photo is a solitary fisherman at the riverbank, quietly waiting for a catch, unable to do anything but patiently wait. The photo was taken over a month after the lockdown in China was lifted, during a time when the lives of many had been shattered by three years of pandemic, especially in the final year. During this period, most people felt helpless, unable to change their circumstances, and could only wait silently for freedom, much like the fisherman. Capturing this moment felt like a reflection of my own life during the pandemic.”

“Songs from the Heart”
Location: Rural Malawi
Date: March 2024
Photographer: Kate Holland '21
Affiliation: Alumni
Home Country: United States
Category: People
Award: Honorable Mention
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“Inscribed by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, the Gule Wamkulu is a secret "cult," involving ritualized dances performed by the Chewa tribe of Malawi, Zambia, and Mozambique. Performers are members of the Nyau brotherhood of initiated men. Gule Wamkulu can be seen across the rural countryside of Malawi in harvest seasons as well as at rural weddings, funerals, and chief installations. Here, a woman sings in advance of Nyau brothers who channel the spirit of characters, wild animals, the dead, and more. These characters each represent an archetype of Malawian culture and serve, often, as a means of teaching audience members moral and social values.”

“Superwoman”
Location: Rome, Italy
Date: June 2024
Photographer: Noah Belles
Affiliation: Undergraduate student
Home Country: United States
Category: Arts & Culture
Award: Honorable Mention
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“This is a picture of a damaged piece of street art that I stumbled upon in an alley in the Trastevere neighborhood of Rome. As evidenced by the damaged, but slightly still visible signature under the piece, an artist known as "Lediesis" was responsible for this piece. One can only wonder why this piece was defaced in such a manner, but regardless it leaves a striking impression.”

“THE Castle (like THE Ohio State)”
Location: Schwangau, Germany
Date: February 2020
Photographer: Madison Hyer
Affiliation: Graduate student
Home Country: United States
Category: Places
Award: Honorable Mention
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“It was a cold, wet day in February, tucked away in the foothills of the alps. It had just finished raining. The only semblance of warmth came from recalling the hot bowl of gulaschsuppe I had earlier for lunch at a Tyrolean restaurant on route between Innsbruck, Austria and Schwangau, Germany. My friends and I had just finished touring Neuschwanstein Castle and picked up some schmalzkuchen to enjoy from a street vendor on our walk back to the car when I captured this scene of the castle nestled in the mountains, surrounded by fog. [Equipment: Mamiya 645 Pro TL, 300mm f/5.6 N ULD, Kodak Portra 400]”

“The Abyss of a Good Book”
Location: Prague, Czechia
Date: July 2023
Photographer: Danica Matovic
Affiliation: Graduate student
Home Country: Canada
Category: Arts & Culture
Award: Honorable Mention and People's Choice
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“Other than being mesmerizing to stare down the abyss of meticulously placed books, the metaphor of falling down the rabbit hole and immersing ourselves in a mesmerizing book made me capture this photo."

“The Grandpas' Club”
Location: Iran
Date: February 2018
Photographer: Mehran Shirazi
Affiliation: Graduate student
Home Country: Iran
Category: People
Award: Honorable Mention
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“The photo captures a common scene in Iran, where elderly people often gather in parks during the afternoons to relax, socialize, and enjoy each other's company. This photo is taken because it reflects a sense of tradition, friendship in old age and the simplicity of daily life."

“The Sacred Salt of the Mountain”
Location: Peru
Date: July 2014
Photographer: John Hurtado Cadavid
Affiliation: Graduate student
Home Country: Colombia
Category: Places
Award: Third Place and People's Choice
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“In the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the Qaqawiñay mountain holds a natural resource that has become a component of Peruvian culture. The water flows from inside the mountain and is conducted to pools, where it naturally dries to obtain the salt. This photo represents a dialogue between the internal natural landscape of the mountain, and how it manages to transform the external landscape to bring new colors to the mountains. In other words, in this photo we can see part of the interior of the mountain that holds the salt: a lesson in the internal value of the landscape and of the human being who should also show the beauty of his inner life. I took this photo because I thought that this place showed how the human being transforms the landscape, obtaining benefits from what a sacred territory makes available for their subsistence. This shows that in the Andean mountains the man and the mountain are unified and co-constituted. The photo is meaningful to me because it represents the interior and exterior landscape, as well as the work of people that transform it. In other words, how the human being and the mountain are constantly transforming each other. In a sacred green valley, the white color that emerges from the mountain it does not represent only purity, but also the constant work of the population that teaches us that human beings are responsible for maintaining the landscape and caring for its beauty.”

“The Tower of Tough Love”
Location: Paris, France
Date: May 2024
Photographer: Alayna Lopez
Affiliation: Undergraduate student
Home Country: United States
Category: Places
Award: Honorable Mention
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“The Eiffel Tower acts as a beacon for innovation, possibility, and, most importantly, love. For me, it marked the ending of one journey and revealed the path to another. Paris wasn’t always kind, but it forged an unbreakable bond between my study abroad group and I, and it prepared me for the ups and downs of the solo travels that were ahead.”

“The Ugly Duckling”
Location: Virum, Denmark
Date: September 2024
Photographer: Vija Tessman
Affiliation: Undergraduate student
Home Country: United States
Category: People
Award: Honorable Mention
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“There is a forested lake very close to my study abroad homestay family's house in the suburbs of Copenhagen. While walking on the hiking trails that encircle the lake at sunset, I spotted a lone swan by the lakeshore. The swan and the colorful scenery bring to mind the fairy tale "The Ugly Duckling" by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, in which a duckling, bullied for his different looks, grows up to discover that he is not a duck at all.”

“Threads of Tradition”
Location: Calca, Peru
Date: June 2024
Photographer: Jen Heaton
Affiliation: Staff
Home Country: United States
Category: People
Award: Best in Show
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“A Quechua woman demonstrates a weaving tradition that has shaped Andean culture for centuries. Her skill, passed down through generations, not only preserves her ancient craft, but also weaves a brighter future for her family.”

“Topeng Mask Maker”
Location: Java, Indonesia
Date: July 2024
Photographer: Richard Smith
Affiliation: Alumni
Home Country: United States
Category: People
Award: Third Place
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“The photo was taken in the Mojolaban Artisans Village on Java, and the artisan was creating masks typically used in the Javanese dance of Topeng, which I was fortunate enough to see the pervious day. Topeng has the main characteristic that the dancers  use masks to retell ancient stories from the ancestors and is closely related to ancestral spirits, which are considered to be interpretations of gods.”

“Trees and Qingshan Lake”
Location: Hangzhou, China
Date: December 2023
Photographer: Yi Liu
Affiliation: Graduate student
Home Country: China
Category: Places
Award: Honorable Mention
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“Qingshan Lake in autumn is amazing green.”

“Twilight at Yanwu Bridge”
Location: Xiamen, China
Date: February 2019
Photographer: Xiangchen "Andy" Cao
Affiliation: Undergraduate student
Home Country: China
Category: Places
Award: First Place
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“Layers of sky shades from red, orange, pink, and purple, into indigo blue. The curvy bridge splits the scene naturally, and beams on the pillar cast the flow of the seawater, together creating magnificent harmony and romance.”

“Untitled”
Location: Kiyomizu-dera, Kyoto, Japan
Date: October 2022
Photographer: Devon Olding
Affiliation: Alumni
Home Country: United States
Category: Places
Award: Honorable Mention
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“This photo was taken during my first trip to Kyoto, a place I had dreamed of visiting since childhood. It was a truly momentous experience for me. I visited Kiyomizu-dera, and this picture captures a pagoda nestled among the trees near the temple. This image holds special meaning, as it marks the day I first set foot in Kyoto.”

“Varsa”
Location: Rajasthan, India
Date: November 2016
Photographer: Lopamudra Basu
Affiliation: Alumni
Home Country: India
Category: People
Award: Honorable Mention
2024 International Photography Exhibition

“This image captures a mother seated next to her daughter Varsa ('Rain' in Sanskrit) outside their tent at the Pushkar Fair in Rajasthan, India.”