{"id":166878,"date":"2024-12-13T10:24:38","date_gmt":"2024-12-13T15:24:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/?p=166878"},"modified":"2024-12-17T16:10:11","modified_gmt":"2024-12-17T21:10:11","slug":"bates-photographers-favorite-images-of-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/2024\/12\/13\/bates-photographers-favorite-images-of-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Bates photographers’ favorite images of 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Many of the 20 photos in this year’s edition of Bates Photographers’ Favorites made the cut for self-evident reasons, like how they capture intimate moments of friendship, the intensity of athletic competition, or soothing nature.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some come to the list, our 11th annual, a bit sideways. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Director of Photography and Video Phyllis Graber Jensen earned her first Bates photo credit 30 years ago. For her, seeing a surprise through the viewfinder, like a U.S. Naval Academy officer standing at attention during a Bates squash match, yielded one of her favorite photographs of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For multimedia producer Theophil Syslo, a photograph can be a favorite mistake, such as the unexpected result of trying to create an abstract moment from a fireworks show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Combined, their perspectives and talents create this surprising, imperfect, and ultimately human visual presentation of what we love about our college and community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Love Letter to Lewiston<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Phyllis Graber Jensen says<\/em>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Early in August, I traversed downtown Lewiston \u2014 my hometown for the last 32 years \u2014 to photograph the visual explosion of public art on display. Some of what you see these days has been created through commissions to well-known artists such as muralist Arlin Graff or sculptor Charlie Hewitt. Other artwork, like painted utility boxes, reflects homespun community spirit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whatever the art or artist, you\u2019ll be tempted to stop in your tracks \u2014 as I was when I noticed this pedestrian as she bopped her way past Co-Lab Create, a communal art space on Lisbon Street. In her step, I see energy and optimism. The building\u2019s exterior artwork was created by muralist \u200b\u200bJared Goulette, who blended between 20 to 30 colors, \u201cplaying with the liquid,\u201d to create “A Splash of Color,” 20 feet tall by 50 feet long. Just another one of the many reasons to love Maine\u2019s second-largest city and all that it offers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Enjoy
Phyllis Graber Jensen\/Bates College<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Hands-On Defense<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Theophil Syslo says<\/em>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sports action shot. Stop action. Heads up. Tight\/telephoto. A Bates women\u2019s basketball defender goes for the ball but grabs a head \u2014 a swing and a miss. I wish I could remember if this was called a foul or not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Either way, it\u2019s a great demonstration of why you aren\u2019t allowed to wear jewelry like face or nose rings in basketball \u2014 this could be a much fiercer and bloodier photo. The number one reason I chose this photo as a favorite this year is because it reminds me of being a kid and making funny faces by distorting my nose with my fingers. It makes me giggle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Bates
Theophil Syslo\/Bates College<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
One for the Books<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Phyllis Graber Jensen says<\/em>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After years of wonderful opportunities to photograph arts performances in various campus stages and performance spaces, a new possibility surfaced: the high-tech Immersive Media Studio, known as the IMStudio, a space in Coram Library designed for interdisciplinary multimedia projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This image presents a moment during a \u201cdurational exhibit,\u201d during which viewers could come and go, called Beyond Midnight<\/em> by faculty members Michel Droge, Carolina Gonz\u00e1lez Valencia, and Asha Tamirisa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The captivating, dream-like 30-minute experience used undersea footage captured during an expedition off Costa Rica that Droge joined as a visiting artist. Droge, partially illuminated in this image, sits in the shadows beside a colleague, Museum of Art Director Dan Mills, as faculty and students danced in silhouette. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The picture I made felt truly collaborative. What a treat to witness such visual richness and imagine the potential for all kinds of artistry and performance in this new space on campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Beyond
Phyllis Graber Jensen\/Bates College<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Sparking the Imagination<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Theophil Syslo says<\/em>: <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This could be a fun exercise in \u201ccaption that photo.\u201d Taken through the vertical blinds of an Olin Arts Center window, this photo is my attempt at abstracting the Reunion fireworks display over Lake Andrews using light reflections in the window. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The abstraction makes me wonder: Am I looking through the James Webb Space Telescope at black holes, or am I looking under a microscope at red blood cells? Inner space or outer space \u2014 either way, it’s reflective and makes you wonder about past and future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n
\"Moments
Theophil Syslo\/Bates College<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
An Uncommons Moment<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Phyllis Graber Jensen says<\/em>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyone who spends time in Commons knows there are the quiet times and the not-so-quiet times. After working on a day-in-the-life feature, where we spent up to 18 hours documenting staff, faculty, students, and others using the building, this photograph stood out to me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Dining Services staff members Diana Mba Oyana (left) and Sonia Roy finished their early dinner before the arrival of the supper crowd, they enjoyed a quiet moment. Or maybe a private joke. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To peer through a lens and “capture” the lives of others can feel very intrusive.  Whatever they experienced was just for the two of them. I know nothing about it other than what I saw, which is enough for me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A
Phyllis Graber Jensen\/Bates College<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Mirror, Mirror<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Theophil Syslo says<\/em>: <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re wearing mirrored sunglasses, I will most likely try to create some content around it. (I\u2019m thinking of you, Perla!<\/a>) While chatting and photographing the \u201cLakes Chillin\u2019\u201d AESOP trip to nearby Tripp Pond on Aug. 31, I learned that the trip leaders, seniors Dani Levy and Eli Toffel, both from Brookline, Mass., have known each other since, well, I want to say even before high school. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While creating a few portraits, I asked them to pose and smile while I focused on the person reflected in the sunglasses. This is Dani smiling; Eli in the reflection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moments
Theophil Syslo\/Bates College<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Golden Friendship<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Phyllis Graber Jensen says<\/em>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Members of the classes of 1974 and 1975 \u2014 one class coming off their 50th Reunion year, and the other getting ready for theirs in June 2025 \u2014 came together during Back to Bates for a \u201cpass the baton\u201d event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I had been asked to photograph the ritual and looked forward to having a bit of fun with what I assumed would be engaged alums. Is there a nice way to say that I did not have great expectations for the situation? Probably not. But as it turns out, I caught this spontaneous \u2014 and completely unanticipated \u2014 moment between two friends from the Class of 1975, Scott Balcomb and Geri Fitzgerald.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I enjoyed their laughter, and I appreciated the genuine nature of whatever transpired. The best photographs for me are usually the unanticipated ones. So in hindsight, I am grateful for the assignment and the delightful energy of Bates alumni excited for their milestone Reunion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Members
Phyllis Graber Jensen\/Bates College<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Eyes on the Prize<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Theophil Syslo says<\/em>: <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

My first time seeing men’s basketball player David Omasombo \u201926 play was in December during a winning game vs. Bowdoin in Alumni Gym. I\u2019ve always enjoyed sports photography because it captures all sorts of vignettes of humanity: highs to lows, cheers to tears. I focused on David\u2019s eye and the intensity channeled through his vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Framing his head to fill the frame while using a 300mm lens allowed for creative composition. The focus on his eye helps draw the viewer along the frame, creating a sense of wonder about what\u2019s happening in the photo. (Low-key, this looks like how I feel after shoveling my driveway at 6 a.m. during a snowstorm before heading to work.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Bates
Theophil Syslo\/Bates College<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Here Comes the Sun<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Phyllis Graber Jensen says<\/em>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These paired photos show Bates rowers walking boats and gear down the hill from the Traquina Boathouse to the Androscoggin River on successive days in October. On the first day, Oct. 17, the rowers were all set for a gorgeous early morning practice, not long before their big fall regatta, the Head of the Charles in Boston.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, morning fog \u2014 beautiful in its own way \u2014 interfered. Head coach Peter Steenstra tried to wait out the thick soup, but it didn\u2019t dissipate. So he sent the grounded athletes back to campus and rescheduled the workout for the afternoon. I wasn\u2019t able to be there, so I returned the next morning for a second chance, when I duplicated a photograph at the hillside location for an entirely different sun-splashed moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"two<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Paws, Laugh, Repeat<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Theophil Syslo says<\/em>: <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s your favorite dog quote? If you know me, you know why I\u2019m including this photo in my favorites \u2014 because it\u2019s my favorite. I\u2019ve said it before: If a photo can make you laugh, it\u2019s worth sharing. Nothing makes me giggle more than listening to a talkative dog try to argue his way into a port-a-potty. (In this case, during a soccer game at Russell Street Field last September.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you pair this photo with a serious quote, like Gandhi\u2019s \u201cthe greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated,\u201d the humor only gets better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Bates
Theophil Syslo\/Bates College<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Birthday Snowscape<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Phyllis Graber Jensen says<\/em>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do you do when it snows nearly a foot on your birthday? If you\u2019re Amelia Wallis \u201924, you enjoy a snow party on the Historic Quad with your Bates buddies. \u201cIt\u2019s an amazing day to celebrate with friends,\u201d said Wallis, whom you can spy in her aqua blue jacket, seated at the head of a snow horse they created, which followed the snow fort they dug from a big pile of snow left by Facility Services plows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If I remember correctly, I had stumbled across this scene while out looking for a snowstorm feature. I am often invited to photograph student celebrations, such as senior thesis bindings, organizational dinners, or performances. But this was unexpected, a gift for a lucky photographer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"With
Phyllis Graber Jensen\/Bates College<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Grit to Grace<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Theophil Syslo says<\/em>: <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I struggle to understand whether cross-country running is about the journey or the destination. So much of what I see at the finish line, such as the remains of a runner\u2019s last meal or the anguished expressions of an athlete running on empty, is raw and gritty. This photograph, of a runner, Campbell MacDonald \u201927, lying on the grass after crossing the finish line at the Pineland Farms course, offers something complementary: a sense of peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Bates
Theophil Syslo\/Bates College<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Unspoken Love<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Phyllis Graber Jensen says<\/em>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the May 4 installation ceremony for President Jenkins, I anticipated that there would be a moment of connection and emotion between the new president and his parents, Leslie Jenkins and Garry C. Jenkins, during his address. I had seen the same with President Clayton Spencer and her parents at her installation ceremony in October 2011. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was covering the event with a freelance photographer, Rene Roy, and our plan to capture the moment was that I would turn my camera toward his parents, and she would train her lens on the president. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Early in his inaugural address, as Jenkins offered heartfelt thanks to his mother and father, Roy created an emotion-filled image of Garry, choking up<\/a> and leading applause; I, in turn, documented his father\u2019s proud smile and his mother, holding hands with her son\u2019s husband, Jon Lee, returning her son\u2019s gratitude with a gesture of love. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"woman
Phyllis Graber Jensen\/Bates College<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Belonging in Every Layer<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Theophil Syslo says<\/em>: <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If I had to pick just one moment from 2024, this would be it. In truth, I would choose the whole event \u2014 it was just that good. When you\u2019re surrounded by good people, you feel good. What I like most about this photograph is how well it illustrates the event, which was a welcome-back reception at the Student Center for Belonging and Community in September. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the event, the photo demonstrates storytelling, and layering, and a beautiful moment between two students: Halima Guliye \u201927 and Sakina Saidi \u201926. I\u2019ve had the privilege and pleasure of photographing Saida before, during the annual Cultural Showcase. From my perspective, if Sakina Saidi is present, it\u2019s worth watching and listening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moments
Theophil Syslo\/Bates College<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Man in Uniform<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Phyllis Graber Jensen says<\/em>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In my 30th annual cycle of campus coverage, I am grateful when something novel crosses my horizon. That\u2019s what happened when this uniformed member of the U.S. Naval Academy squash program appeared in my viewfinder during the Bobcats\u2019 season opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is Lt. Cmdr. Brian Schaus, and in addition to being a faculty member in the electrical engineering department, he is the team\u2019s \u201co-rep,\u201d the officer representative, responsible for upholding the Naval Academy’s standards of conduct, appearance, and honor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He probably has some fun in his role, but at the Bates Squash Center he looked to be all business. Maybe it\u2019s an issue of style. His crisply tailored and decorated uniform, his attention to decorum, and his serious expression all telegraph duty and focus over fun and pleasure \u2014 but who\u2019s to say those two don\u2019t go hand in hand? Not me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Navay
Phyllis Graber Jensen\/Bates College<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Fashion Meets Passion<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Theophil Syslo says<\/em>: <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I get the chance to incorporate colorful seamless backgrounds into portraits, I get excited. The annual Trashion Show offers one of those opportunities  \u2014 and it\u2019s an eyeful. Moments like this ground me and remind me how colorful people can be through their creativity and upcycled imagination. I love the way the colors interact with the designed trash wardrobes. It\u2019s a joy to support causes that resonate with me, and I\u2019m happy that Bates students are passionate about this kind of thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Note: I try my best to get as much use out of the paper seamless backdrops before cramming them into a recycling bin\u2026!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"three
Theophil Syslo\/Bates College<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Garry! Garry!<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Phyllis Graber Jensen says<\/em>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Has a Bates president ever joined the student section during a basketball game in Alumni Gym? We\u2019re not sure, so understandably there was uncertainty when students chanted their invitation, \u201cWe want Garry!\u201d to President Garry W. Jenkins during the women\u2019s basketball team\u2019s first-round NCAA tournament victory over Brooklyn College last March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jenkins responded to the invitation, adding his captivating energy to the boisterous throng \u2014 not once but twice, the second time seen here during waning moments of the Bobcat’s second-round victory over Widener University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In doing so, he made a great decision, sparking even more of what is now called \u201cAlumni Magic\u201d \u2014 pride in the team and Bates, exhilaration for the victorious moment, and pure affection for the new Bates president. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Bates
Phyllis Graber Jensen\/Bates College<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Picture Perspective<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Theophil Syslo says<\/em>: <\/em>

Not to steal Princess Jasmine’s best line, but it really is a whole new world, or new perspective. It wasn’t too long ago the only opportunities for access for content creation like this would be through balloons, kites, airplanes, and helicopters. Drones are a great new tool that producers like myself are excited to use to help push the story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Drone
Theophil Syslo \/ Bates College<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Moonstruck<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Phyllis Graber Jensen says<\/em>: <\/em>

I usually feel celebratory on the first day of July but less so on the last day of the month when I anticipate summer winding down, even when it isn\u2019t. Last July 1, I set out in search of early morning (5:12 a.m.) sunlight, and focused on the Puddle, where, as expected, I found a beautiful scene. But as I climbed the stairs between Lane and Pettengill halls, I looked up and spotted this full-bodied, cratered moon, floating above a stream of quickly moving clouds. I swooned in expectation of a wonderful summer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\u201cHope<\/figure>\n\n\n\n


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The Bates photographers’ perspectives and talents create this surprising, imperfect and ultimately human visual presentation of what we love about our college and community.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":148,"featured_media":166866,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_hide_ai_chatbot":false,"_ai_chatbot_style":"","associated_faculty":[],"_Page_Specific_Css":"","_bates_restrict_mod":false,"_table_of_contents_display":false,"_table_of_contents_location":"","_table_of_contents_disableSticky":false,"_is_featured":false,"footnotes":"","_bates_seo_meta_description":"","_bates_seo_block_robots":false,"_bates_seo_sharing_image_id":0,"_bates_seo_sharing_image_twitter_id":0,"_bates_seo_share_title":"","_bates_seo_canonical_overwrite":"","_bates_seo_twitter_template":""},"categories":[4,7,223,11012,11009],"tags":[11804],"class_list":["post-166878","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-life","category-alumni","category-slideshow","category-student-life","category-the-college","tag-photographers-favorites"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/166878","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/148"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=166878"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/166878\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":166990,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/166878\/revisions\/166990"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/166866"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=166878"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=166878"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=166878"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}