Winners Named in Second Annual International Photography Competition
More than 250 photographs were submitted in the Office of International Programs' second annual International Photography Competition - 100-plus more than last year.
Open to current and former members of the Old Dominion community, the contest attracted entries from 88 people. Most were students, but the entrants also included a few faculty members, staff members and alumni. The judges had a difficult task choosing the winning selections from an array of striking scenes and subjects from around the globe (photos had to be taken outside the United States). Participants could submit up to three photos.
From a beach in Sri Lanka to a monastery in India, and from Nigeria to Switzerland, the images captured the beauty and culture of many distant lands.
Prizes were awarded to the top three photographs in each of five categories: Landscapes and Scenes, Lights and Shadows, Local People/Local Customs, Children of the World and Monarch Spirit. (These photos can be viewed below.) Entries were judged on artistic expression, interpretation of theme, creativity and quality of the image. Judges also reserved the right to consider entries based on geographic and thematic variety as well as relevance to ODU's international mission.
The Office of International Programs will frame and display the first- and second-place photos, and include the photographers' descriptions, on the second floor of Dragas Hall.
Held in conjunction with the Office of the Provost, the contest fits in nicely with the Office of International Programs' mission, according to Marcelo Siles, OIP executive director.
"The Office of International Programs is highly committed to implementing a Comprehensive Internationalization Plan, which includes, among others initiatives, opening opportunities for faculty, administrators and students to go abroad," Siles said.
"The International Photography Competition aims to showcase the international experiences that faculty, alumni and students have had abroad under ODU's different study abroad programs, or through research or personal visits to foreign countries."
Allison Wiggins, OIP outreach coordinator, coordinated the contest and served on the selection committee. Wiggins thanks everyone who entered and contributed to a record year.
"We encourage members of the ODU community to consider entering next year's competition, which will open for photos this fall," she added.
All of the winning photos, including the photographers' descriptions, can be viewed on the OIP Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ODUinternational.