37th Frame contest features work of student photojournalists

Since she first saw them a year ago, the photos from past 37th Frame exhibits have stuck in Spencer Bakalar’s mind.

“I wanted to strive to get to the point where I could have my photos submitted and get them up on the wall,” said Bakalar.
This year, she achieved her goal.

The junior journalism major’s photos will be displayed along with other UNC journalism students’ in the annual 37th Frame exhibit at Focal Point Gallery, which will run through April 30.

Now in its 10th year, 37th Frame is UNC’s annual student-run contest for photojournalism. The exhibit is presented by UNC’s student chapter of the National Press Photographers Association.

Submissions for the contest were judged by Justin Cook, a local freelancer, and Shawn Rocco, of The (Raleigh) News & Observer.

This year’s “Best in Show” photo was taken by Daniel Turner, a senior environmental studies major. Turner said the photo was taken in the summer Carolina Photojournalism workshop while people were cliff diving at the Tuckertown Reservoir.

“I’m really interested in how humans interact with the natural world,” he said.

Lauren Vied, a senior journalism major who helped curate the gallery, said that the draw for many students is not just winning — it’s seeing their photos on display for the public.

“People see it as ‘Wow, I did really do something good this year.’”
Stephen Mitchell, a senior journalism major who also works as a staff photographer at The Daily Tar Heel, said he enjoys seeing the work he submitted printed.

“We take a lot of photos every day, and it’s nice to see them printed and hung up,” he said.

Mitchell said he’s drawn to sports photography because he played sports in high school.

“It gives me a chance to be involved and to show that competitive atmosphere,” he said.

Bakalar said she enjoys taking photos of people, particularly those facing hardships with courage.

“You always can see it in their eyes, I think, and that’s what makes me notice it,” she said.

Bakalar said she gets the best photos by getting to know her subjects first.

“After you get that trust, the pictures kind of just come.”
Vied, who also submitted photos to the contest, said she enjoys documenting the things people are going through in her community.

“I enjoy telling people’s stories and being able to share their stories for people to experience,” she said. “I’m not just watching it — I’m photographing things the way I experience them.”

Mitchell said it’s a challenge to try to capture a story in one frame.

“If you can make an image that tells the whole story in one photo, then you’ve really accomplished something.”

Contact the Arts Editor at arts@dailytarheel.com.