2016 International Photo Contest Tournament: Round 2

Welcome to the Sweet Sixteen of the SDSU International Photo contest, featuring student-submitted photos from around the world. This year we’re choosing our People’s Choice Award through a 32-photo tournament, with winners decided by online voting right here on the Be International blog. After hundreds of votes were cast in our first round of eliminations, voting is now open for Round 2 below, so pick your favorites! EDITOR’S NOTE: VOTING IS NOW CLOSED.

The theme of this year’s contest is “Experience Movement:  Images capturing movement within everyday life of your host culture, in work, play, ceremony, and surroundings; either subtle or dynamic.” For more information on the International Photo Contest and to view last year’s winners visit this website. You will vote on images head-to-head, with the winners of each vote advancing on to the next round. To view the first round voting, click here. Voting for this round closes Friday at 9 a.m. Click on each photo to see the full-sized image.

And now, the voting:

Progression in Pragadise vs. A City In Spring

Progression in Pragadise
Location: Prague, Czech Republic
Narrative: Unveiled through the greenery is the hidden gem of Prague. Located in the heart of Central Europe, this lively picturesque city possesses a preserved historic feel with Charles Bridge while also transitioning to modernism with a boat maneuvering through the tranquil Vltava River.

A City In Spring
Location: Sinchon, South Korea
Narrative: South Korea is a world of motion and color. The light-pink cherry blossom trees are blooming, green and blue buses are circling around the city, and the vibrant signs are competing against one another. It’s a street I walked through every day, but it’s still a sight to behold.

Night Fountains vs. Don’t Blink

Night Fountains
Location: Dengkou, China
Narrative: This photo was taken on my last night in the city of Dengkou and holds a lot of meaning to me because that night we said goodbye to our students. The fountain has no barrier so children can run freely through it.

 

Don’t Blink
Location: Capri, Italy
Narrative: In a world of constant change, all we can do is savor a moment. On a speeding boat ride through the Amalfi Coast, with waves crashing below me and clouds swirling above me, I was able to capture this moment in time, and relive this experience over and over.

Beast of the Dance vs. Be Free, Muddy and Happy

Beast of the Dance (ELIGIBILITY DISQUALIFICATION)
Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Narrative: A street performer practices his craft on a rooftop in Lisbon’s Alfama neighborhood. This image captures the movement, energy and dedication of a talented dancer sharing his passion with whoever may walk past. Dancing holds a large role in Latin culture and helps spread multiculturalism.

Be Free, Muddy and Happy
Location: Kanchanaburi, Thailand
Narrative: In Southeast Asia, elephants are brutally abused for the purpose of tourism. Many locals have noticed this problem and begun volunteer tourism to help keep elephants out of danger. Watching these magnificent mammals play in the mud made my heart smile as I witnessed their different personalities come to light.

Be Free, Muddy and Happy wins by disqualification.

We, Vagabonds vs. Moving Views

We, Vagabonds
Location: Laos
Narrative: A fermata in the grand symphony of life: The world freezes as the traveler pauses before mounting a crowded car for places unknown. The chaotic morning traffic relents just long enough for me to realize that the driver is on a journey as significant as that of those he drives.

Moving Views
Location: Heidelberg, Germany
Narrative: We often forget to stop and appreciate our surroundings. After trekking up a staircase that seemed to go on forever, I came across one of the most phenomenal views I’ve ever experienced. Sometimes we don’t need to constantly be moving, but instead we should let life move us.

An Afternoon at El Retiro vs. Fruits of Labor

An Afternoon at El Retiro
Location: Madrid, Spain
Narrative: Seen here is the relaxed ‘motion’ of a typical afternoon in Madrid’s Buen Retiro Park. The older man, mid-paddle in a serene row with his wife, as well as the way the clouds gently sail by above represent the tranquility of the park in the midst of hectic city life.

Fruits of Labor
Location: Ratchaburi, Thailand
Narrative: With boats perfectly balanced, paddles outstretched with goods to serve customers and the gentle smiles of Thai merchants, it’s easy to fall in love with the colorful hustle of the floating Thai markets

Reflected Movement vs. Masada

Reflected Movement
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Narrative: Being a part of the movement in Tokyo’s daily hustle and bustle was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my time abroad in Asia. This photo encompasses Tokyo’s fast-paced lifestyle while exhibiting its mesmerizing modern architecture.

Masada
Location: Southern District, Israel
Narrative: Masada is a place of adventure but also vast history. This picture communicates how as a civilization, Jews of Israel have moved all around the world (including myself), while also representing movement, specifically in the Sun and the silhouettes.

Tower Bridge vs. Berber Path

Tower Bridge
Location: London, United Kingdom
Narrative: Tower Bridge, one of London’s most famous landmarks, lifts open to allow ships to pass by multiple times each day. Here, the bridge is currently opening for a vessel to pass through upstream. Traffic on the bridge comes to a standstill as the bridge opens and the vessel moves through.

Berber Path
Location: Sahara, Morocco 
Narrative: This photograph captures movement from foreign to familiar as two Berbers leave the camel-backed, wide-eyed travelers to climb the sand dune and disappear to their home camp in the Sahara.

Sunday at the Red Square vs. Every Culture is Different

Sunday at the Red Square
Location: Moscow, Russia
Narrative: This photo not only embodies movement, but shows how landmarks bring people together. The Kremlin and St. Basil’s Cathedral in heart of Moscow attract visitors from all over the world. The Red Square has movement of the people, beauty in the sights and a community of historical appreciation.

Every Culture is Different
Location: Zhouzhuang, China
Narrative: This photo is taken at Zhouzhuang, a water town in China. It shows how people enjoy riding their boats and singing, while walking through the paths of their ancestors.

Thanks for voting – check back tomorrow for results and to vote in the next round!