NDSU annual international photo essay contest

Written by Lauren McLaughlin Friday, 25 September 2009 08:00

The Office of International Programs presented last year’s study abroad students with an opportunity to try its hand at photojournalism.

NDSU’s annual International Photo Essay Competition was held last Tuesday, Sept. 15 and asked students to submit photos from their study abroad excursions.

The challengers were able to submit their photo in one of two categories: people and culture, or landscape and monuments. Contestants were asked to include an essay with the photograph to further explain the photograph and its cultural relevance.

This year’s winner for Landscape & Monument photography was Lucas Carlson, who studied in Germany, and Brianna Hewitt, who won the People & Culture category after studying in India.

Both winners were awarded a gift certificate for $25 from Scheels Sporting Goods and will be featured on the Office of International Program’s website.

Landscape and monument winner: Lucas Carlson

Stortorget is located in central Stockholm, commonly known as Old Town. This photograph is from an alley in Stortorget. The landscape in this part of the city is breathtaking. I enjoyed walking in secluded areas and taking in the sights, leaving the hundreds of tourists and noise of vehicles behind.

The architecture and colors of the buildings were overwhelming, summoning me to inquire about their history.

People and culture winner: Brianna Hewitt

This photograph was taken in Shravanabelagola, Karnataka, India. Shravanabelagola, located between the hills Chandragiri and Vindhyagiri, is a major Jain pilgrim center. Every day the townspeople climb 600 steps to the top of Vindhyagri Hill to meditate, pray and worship the 57-foot tall statue of Bhagwan (Lord) Bahubali Gomateshwara, the largest monolith in the world. This photograph was taken halfway to the top, at six in the morning as I watched the dedication of several towns’ women. The clear air and beauty of the city behind the women took my breath away and gave me a sense of peace.