Photo Contest
One Book is excited to congratulate the winners of this year's photo contest! Check out the winning photos below, and visit our to view the rest of the entries.
1st Place: Grasping the Light
Ashley Xue, Medill School of Journalism
"In the mind of an individual struggling with mental illness, the battle to hold onto hope can feel both vital and elusive. Entrapped in a dark, abandoned room, this photo symbolizes the isolation of such individuals from society, as well as themselves. The light represents hope and help, but its ironically intangible nature reflects the continued inaccessibility of mental health resources in today’s world. Despite progress in awareness, stigma and such barriers still remain deeply entrenched. This photo was captured in an abandoned orphanage, paralleling the abandonment of those in need of mental health support.
The photo is a reflection of something deeply personal to myself and individuals around me. I hope to raise awareness of the systemic gaps in mental health care and societal understanding. While it may not be a conventional “space,” it only further demonstrates the urgency of ensuring these voices are seen and understood. Our society still has a long, long way to go."
2nd Place: Voiceless in the Vastness
Stephen Kao, McCormick School of Engineering
"This picture is a metaphor for the state of the polar regions: the melting of ice and glaciers poses a risk to the survival of polar species. With global warming threatening the destruction of their habitat, these penguins are forced to stand on a small iceberg in the middle of the ocean with ominous dark clouds forecasting a grim future. Cracks in the ice represent the fragility of their situation and the orange on the horizon symbolizes the encroaching threat of global warming. The voices of the penguins are not heard; it is humans who can make a difference. However, from this picture, evokes the feeling of hopelessness where they are alone in a vast ocean, waiting for their home to eventually melt if nothing is done. It deeply saddens me to not see more being done to prevent global warming and giving a voice to the populations that cannot speak."
3rd Place: The Pane She Carries
Vani Bansal, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences
"Through the clear pane of glass, a blurred cityscape stretches beyond – a world of opportunities she can see but not always access. The glass, spotless from her diligent work, becomes a metaphor for her struggle: she cleans and perfects the barriers of others’ lives while silently pressing against her own. Her serene smile masks an inner turmoil – her daughter is in the ER, fighting typhoid. Yet, she carries on navigating life’s demands, including hefty treatment fees.
This photo captures the quiet strength of someone whose struggles remain unseen, where resilience is not loud but quietly persistent."
People's Choice Winner: Condemned to Only Watch
Naya Yazigi, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences
"A Syrian man's tired and weary gaze after witnessing a young street artist getting dragged away for painting anti-regime graffiti. For me, the significance of this image lies in the way it’s perceived before the fall of the Al-Assad regime. I saw in this photograph a muted, frustrated heart enclosed within a soundproof shield. The man seemed to resist even showing a reaction; his calm, expressionless look was an act of self-preservation, concealing any trace of solidarity that could mark him as an ally. His soul, I imagined, was sinking in devastation and cloaking itself in a helplessness dress, a necessary mask for survival in an environment full of fear and surveillance."
One Book Photo Contest 2025: Struggle for Visibility
Connecting with the themes of this year's One Book selection, The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich, One Book One Â鶹´«Ã½ is hosting a photo contest: Struggle for Visibility.
Exhibit Reception
Join us for the One Book Photo Contest Exhibit reception! The winners will be announced and light refreshments will be provided at 1 South in University Library (1970 Campus Dr, Evanston, IL ).
Photo Contest Prompt
Take a photo of a space that captures the struggle of voices not readily seen or heard. In your description, explain the photograph's significance and the emotions it evokes for you.
Contest Rules
This contest is open only to Â鶹´«Ã½ students. One entry per student participant.
All photo files must be a .png, .jpg, or .jpeg file. Images of photography, drawings, paintings, digital art, etc. will be accepted. Videos or moving images will not be considered for this contest.
All photo entries must be your original work.
All entries will be posted on One Book's Facebook page, and winners will be announced on our other social media platforms. All entries will be displayed at Â鶹´«Ã½’s Main Library in the One South.
Prizes
First Place: $300
Second Place: $200
Third Place: $100
People's Choice: $50 Amazon Gift Card
Submission
A committee selected by One Book will review each submission. The public will be able to vote for the "People's Choice" winner on Facebook after January 17, 2025. The winner of the contest will be announced in late January.
Questions? Contact onebook@northwestern.edu.