GEO Photo Contest

Boys of the Guarani Tribe

2012-10-25T09:30:00.000-07:00

As a part of the largest indigenous reserve in Brazil, the Guarani tribe faces many hardships – racism, discrimination, harassment, and a loss of their land, which for so long has been the foundation of all life for them. Despite these pressures, they continue to cultivate their traditions and pass them on from generation to generation. In this photo, the young boys of the tribe have just danced in traditional garb on the distinct red dirt of their homeland. Some faces are laughing, some are serious, but all show a hope for a positive future for their tribe.

Linnet Walker, Brazil

2012-2013, Faces in Place

Mama Hellen

2012-10-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

Our host mother in Uganda during our month long missions trip there was Mama Hellen, and she was such a mother to all of us. Caring, compassionate, and yet strict and sharp, she kept her "American children" hard at work, yet well taken care of. Most days, she dressed in simple, functional clothes-- a knee length, modest skirt and t-shirt. However, this particular Sunday, we were going to the lake and Mama Hellen dressed up. She looked stunning in her traditional dress, standing in the doorway of the house that she protected and worked so hard for. Mama Hellen is the true, strong African woman.

Liz Maurer, Uganda

2012-2013 Faces in Place

The Spirit of København

2012-10-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

This photo is a double exposure, fish eye lens, film photograph taken by Brittany Bailey of herself and I at the European Handball Championship Celebration in Copenhagen Denmark. The Danes love their nation and gathered by the thousands to congratulate their handball team’s victory as the team arrived at Rådhuspladsen (city hall square) in late January. The faint image of city hall and our faces of excitement overlay the crowded sea of Danes, flags, and bundles of layers that fought off the cold.

Maria Bauder, Denmark

2012-2013, Faces in Place

Archers

2012-10-05T11:33:00.002-07:00

Corpus Christi arrives yet again. And before the sacred cloth must come those who protect it. Men with staffs, swords, lances march from the Duomo. metal helmets cover their faces, leaving only slits for the men to see the crowd before them. Ten or even twenty men clothed in the same armor, holding the same weapons, continue one group after another. When the archers approach, their dark hoods make it difficult to tell them apart. Their faces are bathed in shadow, and their eyes focus forward. They have a job to do. They may appear identical in dress and stature, but each man carries pride in his heart for the role he plays. Brave and virtuous are those who protect the miraculous cloth.

Michaela Kendrick-Tedesco, Italy

2012-2013 Faces in Place

Raquel’s Story, Mato Grosso do Sul

2012-10-05T11:16:00.001-07:00

Missio Cauia serves the indigenous populations of Brazil seeking to provide for the physical spiritual and educational needs of the Cauia people. Our team met Raquel in the mission’s hospital as she prepared for surgery to correct an abdominal disorder which resulted in portions of her intestines being located on the outside of her body. She was so full of joy and energy that our team failed to understand the true nature of her condition until it was disclosed by the medical staff. During our times with Raquel she would run and play but it became evident that her favorite activity was to swing on an old tire swing. As our time at the hospital drew to a close one day she expressed her pouty face knowing her time in the swing was near an end.

Stephanie Ramirez, Brazil

2012-2013, Faces in Place

Curiosity, Mato Grosso do Sul

2012-10-05T11:15:00.001-07:00

While in Brazil this summer our team worked with an outreach ministry called Missao Caiua. Part of their work included going out and spending time with the different tribes throughout the indigenous reservation, running church services, playing games and spending time with children. During a break from their pickup soccer game these boys spent a few moments inquisitively observing our American team.

Natalie Carvalho, Brazil

2012-2013, Faces in Place

Les Camarades

2012-10-05T11:14:00.001-07:00

Les Comarades is a photo I took when my friends Sam Guthrie and Jon Trapp came to visit me in Strasbourg! These guys were studying in Edinburgh, Scotland at the time and were able to experience the unique and exciting time abroad together. Strasbourg was one of the many cities they had the opportunity to travel to. It made me so unbelievably happy to have them there and show them my new little French life I had created. I am blessed to have dear friends like these guys in my life and remember the good ol’ times we had abroad together.

Molly Ponzio, France

2012-2013, Faces in Place

Torn Nation

2012-10-05T11:12:00.000-07:00

This photograph was taken May 6th, 2012, the day of the presidential election in Paris, France. I happened to be staying with a friend who lived immediately next-door to the presidential residency, making the whole experience very real. This poster, or combination of posters shows the extreme divide across France between incumbent President Nicolas Sarkozy and opponent Francois Hollande. Hollande’s presidency would mean rights for gay marriage, and the ability for non-EU residents to gain the right to vote after five years of residency. He promised to be a “normal” president in comparison to Sarkozy, and would give a face to a new France, leaving room for change.

Maria Bauder, Denmark

2012-2013, Faces in Place

Capoeira in the Streets

2012-10-05T11:11:00.000-07:00

Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance and music. A traditional part of Brazilian culture, the quickness and agility involved is impressive, even if it is just for show. Although the marital arts aspect is not as prominent, the moves involve an amount of trickery that requires a high level of skill. While it can be done in a very serious setting, it is also a popular activity amount youth. In this photo, a group of teenagers take time from a March in the streets of Sao Paulo to have a little spar.

Christian Shahzade, Brazil

2012-2013, Faces in Place

The Monster of Mysore

2012-10-05T08:56:00.000-07:00

The Amba Vilas Palace in Mysore, India served as the seat of the Wadiyar Dynasty (1399-1947). The Palace was completed during the early years of the Twentieth Century, although sections of it were built as early as the Fourteenth. Its architecture is a blend of Hindu, Muslim, Rajput, and Gothic styles, bringing together several traditionally separate sectors of Indian culture. This makes it one of India’s most recognized monuments and many people come from across the world to see it.

Lorenza Brokhorst, India

2012-2013, Faces in Place

Doors of Dublin

2012-10-05T08:27:00.000-07:00

This picture depicts the famous “Doors of Dublin.” The doors grace the Georgian Squares of Dublin, laid out in the 1700s as the city grew economically. At one point, all the doors were the same color. The story goes that the famous writer George Moore lived next door to other famed author Oliver St. John Gogarty. Both being a bit eccentric, it is said that Moore painted his door green so Gogarty wouldn’t think it his own door when drunk, and this started a trend. The real story is, however, that all these homes were built in the Georgian style with strict architectural guidelines. In order to personalize their homes a little bit, residents painted their doors and bought ornate knockers and installed elegant windows above the doors. The windows (or fanlights) largely remain to be the originals, and today, the doors are a popular tourist attraction.

Erin Climpson, Ireland

2012-2013, Faces in Place

At Home in Shaubak [Shaubak, Jordan]

2012-10-04T08:20:00.000-07:00

When we visited Shaubak, an isolated site in southern Jordan, our host, a man named Saleh, shared with us about the older ways of life. Here, he stands in front of the home in which he grew up; since then, the residents of his village have relocated, and the place is now abandoned. Having been asked by one of the other members of my group to pose in front of his former dwelling, I was touched by the glimpse of the man’s simple pride that I beheld from a side angle. Because of the impromptu nature of the photo shoot, he didn’t have – or take – the time to lay aside the ordinary things of life that he was carrying, but instead quickly tucked the bottle behind his sleeve to appear a bit more formal, while the bag, left to hang by his side, betrayed the notion of preparation but added to the authenticity of the moment. He gave us only the slightest smile, but I sensed so much pride in his weathered face.

Chelsea Revell, Israel

2012-2013 Faces in Place

Anticipation

2012-10-04T08:14:00.000-07:00

During our time in Dourados, Brazil this summer we had the opportunity to work within the school located on the mission compound. Indigenous children in Brazil attend school for a half day so they can return home to assist with the care of siblings or help with housework. While most of our efforts were spent on painting the walls we had several opportunities to observe and interact with the school children present throughout the day. This young girl waits in anticipation for the lunch provided by the school at the end of her school day before she returns home.

Ana Pereira, Brazil

2012-2013, Faces in Place

Lunch on La Terrazza

2012-10-03T08:51:00.001-07:00

One of our apartments we affectionately called "La Terrazza" because of its gorgeous terrace. It was a regular place of rest, meals, or music and gathering for all us. This picture captures a moment during one of our weekend on-our-own meals: Claire had attempted to make banana biscuits, which were so wet she fried them like pancakes. She brought them out and we laughed about how they were some kind of pancake/fried dough, which we shortened to "fried cake," which sounded like just about the most heart-attack inducing food imaginable!

Katie Joy Nellis, Italy

2012-2013 Faces in Place

Heather

2012-10-03T08:50:00.001-07:00

On the first day in Rome we meandered the city, stopping first at Palazzo Massimo, a museum containing many famous pieces of art. In this place I captured this silhouette of my beautiful friend Heather as she studied an ancient wooden artwork. To me it encapsulates the rest, loveliness, and thoughtfulness of her personality and our semester as a whole.

Kate Tortland, Italy

2012-2013 Faces in Place

Corpus Domini

2012-10-03T08:49:00.002-07:00

We all sat on an old wall looking down the cobblestone street as a progression of costumed Orvietani made their way out from the towering Duomo and marched toward us. Row after row of archers, bannermen, priests, men wielding axes, and knights passed by us. Eventually a group of traveling artisans, dressed in classic renaissance fashion, walked past. This particular little girl, carrying what appeared to be a rag doll, tried unsuccessfully to conceal her grin as she walked with her group.

Kate Tortland, Italy

2012-2013 Faces in Place

Pondering Across the Pond

2012-10-03T08:48:00.001-07:00

This photo was taken in the Highlands of Scotland. The landscape surrounding us made us all think deeply about why we were there and how thankful we were to be there. Here, A young man finds himself standing out on the edge of this loch, pondering his current location in life - physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually - taking in all of the beauty around him.

Jon Trapp, Scotland

2012-2013, Faces in Place

Daddy's Girl

2012-10-03T08:46:00.004-07:00

This photo was taken from the window of a taxi as we careened down a dusty Ugandan road on the outskirts of Mukono. This picture is of a father and daughter driving a “boda-boda” - a common form of transportation in Uganda which resembles a dirt bike. I took the photo as our taxi pulled up alongside the family who was oblivious of our presence beside them. We drove side by side for a few moments before our taxi sped up and we continued on our journey. This photo is an example of faces in place in a literal sense because the slow shutter speed in combination with our proximity to the family created the blurry effect over the village and townsfolk in the background while keeping the subject matter clear. It is also a representation of my study abroad experience as a whole. When I look back at my time in Uganda, I am flooded with a whirlwind of feelings, emotions, and memories. I go into sensory overload much like I did when I would look out the window every day and see abject poverty. However, there are many piercing images that remain in my mind, like this one, of people I saw and remember with perfect clarity. It was the individual people – the friends, the mentors, and the family – that are most memorable to me. My memory of Uganda is full of faces in place, and behind those faces, are stories that you would never believe.

Jesse Laniak, Uganda

2012-2013, Faces in Place

Marcha para Jesus

2012-10-03T08:43:00.000-07:00

Every year across the globe Millions of Christians gather for an event named March for Jesus. The largest of these events takes place in downtown Sao Paulo. Sao Paulo is the largest cityin Brazil, the largest cityin the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world’s seventh largest cityby population. During our Gordon SMP trip our team was able to participate in the march with over 1.5 million others marching, worshiping, and praying for the nation.

Greg Dry, Brazil

2012-2013, Faces in Place

“Legenderry”

2012-10-03T08:26:00.002-07:00

The city of Derry/Londonderry has long been a site of strife between the Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland. Even to this day, the name cannot be decided. Free Derry was a self-declared autonomous nationalist area, the name taken from the wall painted in this picture. During the Troubles, significant fighting took place here. The mural in the background is a reminder of those times, and a tribute to those who died. This particular one is of a petrol bomber in the Battle of the Bogside. Today, parts of Derry remain divided, Catholic and Protestant, with the sidewalks painted in colors depicting to whom they are loyal.

Erin Climpson, Ireland

2012-2013, Faces in Place

Postcards for Sale in Petra, Jordan

2012-10-03T08:22:00.001-07:00

The day that we visited Petra in Jordan, we rose early and hurried to our destination, eager to be among the first visitors and hopeful to escape the desert sun’s beating rays while the clouds still claimed the sky. Within a few hours, however, the sun broke through and we sweated as we trekked up the worn sandstone steps to the “Monastery,” one of the massive architectural glories of the ancient Nabateans. As we rounded a bend and paused for a brief rest, my eyes fell on this young Bedouin boy sitting quietly in the shade, postcards in hand, waiting to offer a deal to the next tourist. Clad almost entirely in western garb, he seemed to me a momentary picture of our increasingly globalized world, yet there he sat, so at home leaning against the sands of time, and a little piece of tradition – that colorful head scarf – still a part of him as he, a member of the future generation, casually sold memories of the past.

Chelsea Revell, Israel

2012-2013, Faces in Place

Sunrise on the Beach

2012-10-03T08:19:00.003-07:00

This photo was taken at Manly Beach in Sydney, Australia. The view of the ocean and the sounds of the crashing waves were only enhanced by the vibrant colors of the early morning sunrise. Waking up to the Australian sunrise, while lying on the beach, wrapped in a blanket, was a moment that will forever bring me warm memories.

Becky Kearney, Australia

2012-2013, Faces in Place

Golden Reward

2012-10-03T08:18:00.003-07:00

After hiking 14 miles in the Australian rainforest found in the Blue Mountains, we were rewarded by a spectacular sight of the sun’s rays shining down from the clouded sky. To our tired yet satisfied group of explorers, this golden banner was a special gift from God, welcoming us back to civilization.

Becky Kearney, Australia

2012-2013, Faces in Place

"I am..."

2012-10-03T08:17:00.001-07:00

Studying abroad does things to a person. We know this. Amongst other things, identity can begin to be questioned -what is the face that I bear? In Amsterdam they attempt to answer this question for you - boldly. But is the man on with his bicycle (apparent evidence of a true Netherlander), the woman beside him or the posers by the letters really "Amsterdam"? I am Dutch by heritage. Throughout my years the concept has wrapped tightly around and in me and come to define part of the face I present to the world. When I was in the Netherlands - the homeland long to be desired - I was mistaken for being a native, but felt far from being one. I am not Amsterdam; but I'm not satisfied with being 100% American either. What is it to have an identity that transcends places so that it is no longer associated with one in particular?

Anna Jonker, Netherlands

2012-2013, Faces in Place

Follow

2012-10-03T08:16:00.001-07:00

The faces in this picture are distant, I know. Our focus is more-so on the bright blue jacket that dominates center, but not the face of the wearer. Instead of seeing her face, we are drawn in to follow her as she leads us through the winding streets of York. I appreciate this analogy - that we can follow in the footsteps of someone - a "face" - who has gone before us to show us the world ahead and beckon us to fall in behind and under their tutelage. I depended on many other people to lead me while I traveled when abroad. I could have attempted to navigate it all on my own, and learned from the mistakes I would have made in the process; or I could choose (as I did) to "fall in behind" a face who has been there, lives there and knows there, and wants to show me "there". What better way to learn the "there" and the faces, but from the people who live in those places?

Anna Jonker, England

2012-2013, Faces in Place