P1 COLOR
Open color photography category (no portraits)
P2 Black & White
Open black and white photography category (no portraits)
P3 Portrait
Open to color and black and white portrait photography
P4 Digital Manipulation
Open to digital photos altered through photo editing software. Consists of original source imagery.
P5 Photo Essay/Series
Open to photos related to each other by subject, technique, or purpose. Please combine photo series as one photo collage.
P6 SPORTS
Open to sports/action photography
P7 Nature
Open to nature based photography both landscape and animal
P8 Documentary/Photojournalism
Open to documentary based subject matter. Must include caption and 100 word minimum statement on the topic
Thirsty
Serving a cup of water may be something that we all do on a daily basis and it benefits us. The goal of this picture is to create thirstiness and show the pureness of water. It is important to drink water every day in order to stay good and healthy. I wanted to capture the drops and bubbles of water that are falling into the glass cup, to appreciate their clearness. I used a mirror under the cup of water and threw a few drops of water so we could all see a reflection of the water on the wall. |
Irrelevant Space
Water is a critical resource that the Earth provides us. Unfortunately, clean water is limited for a large number of people. These groups tend to be poor and marginalized and have limited access to adequate water and sanitation. Based on a publication made by UNICEF it shows that in 2017. Globally, more than 785 million people did not have the privilege of accessing the minimum of basic water services, and more than 884 million people did not have access to drinking water. Considering that water is an essential resource for making a living, the next question is "How do you make a living without access to clean water?”, well they get it from places like the following picture, where it is extremely dirty to drink water, take showers, clean their food and many other things. This affects their health because the food is contaminated the same as everything that makes contact with the dirty water. |
From Above
Frame Size: We chose to use a wide shot to help create the feeling of uneasiness because the camera is so far away from the characters. Camera Angle: We selected a birds eye view for the camera angle because we wanted it to be perfectly clear of what was happening in the photo and we felt that shooting the photo from above was the best possible way to get the story across. Also we really liked the idea of the background of the photo being the ground Composition: A centered photo works best for a story like this because if we chose to use another form of composition it’s possible that the background would be too busy taking the viewers eyes off of where they need to be 
Mexican Culture
In this photo I only used the importance of clean and fresh vegetables, as shown in the image. The main object, that is, the tomato is sprayed with water, showing a cooler side. Water is normally used for this activity in daily life, and more so in these times of covid. It has a composition of contrasting colors, it is also not centered and it complies with a neutral eye view. I also decided to give it this title because I wanted to represent my roots and my origin. That is to say, the vegetables and the colors (the green of the chiles, and the red of the tomatoes) represent the flag, the traditions and the culture of Mexico. |
Serendipity
The world has its bad and good moments, But it never compares to what you feel. It's almost like each drop of water from the sky feels like a tear that cries down as you look up. It feels what emotion it's giving to you And just processes and analyzes as you would be more comfortable With yourself, but also with others. There is something amazing about water that just feels right. 
Social Issues
In this photo the theme of water is strongly represented. I wanted to create an environment that would express a little about two of the most important problems in the world, "hunger and water scarcity." Fruit and water contrast well with each other, both in shapes, as in tones and shadows. It is a neutral shot, with an off center composition, where water is the subject, but there are also other objects in the shot. In this shot it was also wanted to express the feeling of sadness, for which the dark tones. Emphasizing that the objects resemble the aforementioned problems. |
Don't Stand By
Although we may not realize it, bullying still plays a major role in teens' everyday lives today. Whether that's verbal bullying, cyber bullying, it still exists which has become an even bigger problem in our generation. What can we do to help stop this, you may ask? Don't stand by. Don't stand by, stand up against bullying. Staying quiet is only as good as it will to get you, it's only as good as it may sound. Which is why we must take action, so a situation as such will not partake. We can only do that with the help of you and others. In order to create change, we must be able to be the change. |
Strength
Broken mental health has become a norm in society. After the pandemic, people were isolated from the outside world and were deprived of socialization. Many developed anxiety, fear, and other mental issues. During the pandemic, we had to face an abundance of negative emotions that we didn’t even realize impacted us and we had to learn different ways to cope with those emotions or endure them. Anger was intensely represented in this image and with this emotion you can’t think straight and it becomes so intense that it overwhelms you. At times when you don’t know any way to cope, you project your emotions onto different things and in this case, anger is projected onto a window. |
Dress Code
On August 18th 2021, the students of San Ysidro High School held a student led protest against the dress code that in their eyes specifically targeted and sexualized female students. Organized by students with the supervision of the staff an agreed upon time and date was approved. Many showed up and ultimately led to the re-wording of the current dress code to be more inclusive. Before the protest students created signs with paper and markers provided by the administration. Speakers and chants filled the air and voices were heard. 
Coach Bill Hicks.
Vista, California . December 12, 2021. He was 46 years old when he passed away on September 6, 2021. He had passed from a heart attack. He was a great coach for the organization softball team Firecrackers |
Reproductive Rights Protest, Field Hockey field of Bonita Vista High, Nov. 19, 2021
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Additional Documentary/Photojournalism Entries
P9 Theme “Resilience”
Each photo entry should be accompanied by a brief essay (3 paragraphs), or a poem (70-120 words); that will be judged and give context to the photograph. Writing should help connect the image to the theme -- take time to inspire the judges with words that support your photo.First and foremost, this is a photography contest. So, while the writing is important, each photo entry should stand on its own. Writing should connect the image to the theme.
American Covid Gothic
I wanted to homage the works of Grant Wood (1930) and Gordon Parks (1942) and reinterpret "American Gothic" in my current time period. In the late 2019, the world was thrown into panic due to the merging covid 19 virus. This caused a global pandemic resulting in not only hundreds of thousands of deaths but an increase in fear, anxiety, worry and sadness around the world. During this difficult time sanitation and cleanliness was highly stressed. My photo highlights a healthy girl with a mask and cleaning supplies standing next to a skeleton that represents death and failure to stay safe and healthy by sanitizing. |
Reflection
The glass window represents the isolation, pain, and trauma of this COVID-19 pandemic. The hand pressed against the window represents hope that there’s a better tomorrow. We can and will survive. |
Surviving Covid
Not only did I have to survive COVID, I broke my arm this year. Resiliency is what we all have to do to survive. 
Mask Up
If we protect ourselves and those around us we can survive this pandemic together. |
Take a Breath
Will. Determination. Resilience. That’s the secret to success in sports. 
A Touch of Amaya
I wanted to express the beauty of rain which shows how delightful and fun it is being in the water - the symbol of resilience after everything is being washed out and could start anew. I feel like rain gives you enough space to be yourself, hopeful that you’re enough and everything that happens is temporary. There is a sense of mystery around when it rains and everything looks more crisp and shiny on summer days. I also enjoy rain during the fall when the water creates a foggy mist that covers just enough of the surroundings to make you wonder. The emotion? It could be happiness. The Story? It could be about a girl finding a new hope and freedom in the rain. |
After the Rain
There will come a time When the sun will rise and Sunlight will seep through the sky. There will come a time When the roots will drink And the lilies will bloom again. There will come a time When the trees finally Dance again. There will come a time When life starts to Flourish and breathe again. There will come a time When a new beginning Will arch over the blue sky. There will come a time When the rain shall stop And I’ll be the only one standing . 
Get Back Up and Try Try Again
It took the power in my heart and soul, but only so much to let it go. "Be free, be free." They'd say to me, but it was only a matter of time before I had done what I'd so dreamt to be. Sure, it may be nerve-wrecking or tough, but that's all it takes just to have a good rush. A rush to succeed, a rush to be me, a rush so strong that only the bravest of the brave could be. 
Resilience
The rose, a symbol for love, courage, and beauty. Passed down through the years by many couples, family members, loved ones, those who passed. Its meaning continues to withstand the test of time within all of the hearts of humanity. Whether it be in the dark of night, at the golden hour, in the rain, first date, the final waking moments of those who you love, the rose stands strong. One in a million, each with its own story, larger or small, it continues to bloom within the world, holding enough of a scent to captivate the hearts of many. The rose is able to create a smile within the darkest of time, strengthening that ray of hope in the hearts of every individual. Creating another rope to hold the bonds of any sort of admiration within society. For this one flower, as small and delicate as it might be, it holds a true passion towards anyone who might have the ability to hold it. For what it means will be entirely up to how I present it. As insignificant as it might seem right now, so small that a leaf will overshadow its presence, if given to those who provide a smile in your life, it can definitely captivate the hearts of the masses, and that one that makes you smile every day. Maybe it is given to them when you wanted to make them happy when they were distressed, coming up to them to hand them a rose which makes them smile and excited to see you. For what this flower represents is not just a right or wrong answer, it can be much more than anything anyone can make up. Whether it will leave a mark for the first birthday party outside of high school, the first date, first marriage, first time going outside of state, the resilient nature of each and every one of this room has done all but more to keep those connections grown over time. And for this flower it represents nothing more than a symbol for the hearts of everyone, small but powerful, beautiful, courageous and loving. 
Resilience
With storms, and fires No rain, a drought She always recovers Without a doubt Waste pollution it’s All a shame, she Still remains to Keep the world in shape Who is this you all might ask Mother nature I know she’s great |
Wilted
The surface level interpretation of this photo is that it is a vase with three wilted flowers that seem to have been drained of their vibrant life. However, on a deeper level, it represents resilience and the ability to push through all of life’s struggles. For me personally, this photo symbolizes the point in my life when my parents had informed me that they were going to get a divorce. The dictionary definition of resilience is the ability to recover quickly from difficulties, and for me that is exactly what this photo represents. I was about 6 years old when my parents began the process of getting a divorce, and I can guarantee that it was one of the hardest things that I have ever had to deal with. At the time, I was feeling a surplus of emotions; confusion, sadness, disappointment, and defeat over the idea that the one thing that seemed as if it was going to last forever, was suddenly stripped away. The events that had occurred during this process did not seem to improve, which led me to feel more emotions of defeat and disappointment. At this point in my life, it is still a concept that I deal with but I was able to push through those emotions by being resilient. I maintained the mindset that I would not feel sad and disappointed forever, and I continued doing the things I love and I came out an even better version of myself. Despite the fact that this was a very rough time in my life, I did not want to let it consume me and the way that I live my life. It is for this reason that I constantly remind myself to always be resilient, no matter what. This picture, especially, serves as a reminder of the rough times in life and that if you are resilient, they will not always overcome you and your goals. 
Fishing Dock
The Earth’s oceans cover almost 71% of Earth’s surface and continue to deliver homes to millions of species living in its ecosystems. Through this picture titled “Fishing Dock”, it illustrates the resilience of oceans despite human interference that causes aquatic populations to decrease and pollution to accumulate in the world’s oceans. Through these disturbances, the ocean is still able to bounce back and even provide a food source for many people and animals. Taking a closer focus on the fishing dock itself, it is evident that the dock has been through many storms and strong ocean currents but still stands strong. With resilience, the dock has been able to support the weight of thousands of people that have fished off of this dock and remains to support thousands of people more. However, without the ocean, fishing would be impossible but people still tend to throw fishing lines and other forms of pollution into the water. Through resilience the ocean is able to keep regulating itself and continue to remain flexible. This image has come to show two main points, one of them being the resiliency of the ocean and the strength of a fishing dock that was built many years ago. Small factors in this world such as the construction of a fishing dock and the resiliency of an ocean contribute more than we think to the world as a whole. The ocean itself has fed billions of animals and people, where fishing docks act as a conduit between the ocean and people so they can continue to be fed. 
Quarantine
It began, life became a breeze Breezes that made me feel free Free to think, sleep Sleep away the drama; stress of school before Though I got to know myself more, school came knocking on my door No more of my internal explore, Had to swore to work and learn Earned the stink of stress from the screen Screens that bores what I was able to restore Restored my health, but this screen cannot be ignored From this endeavor again, through the window, the silent struggle came in Welcomed or not, school faded in my room From the screen’s immense, gray workload of school, I slipped into this dark pit of stress I never trenched before “Find grip”; “Fight this” |
