‘My Soul Aches’: Ukraine’s Mortal Courage

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School of Media & Communication Gallery | Jody Richards Hall, WKU

M-W 9:00 am – 9:00 pm | TH – F 9:00 am – 4:00 pm*

The School of Media & Communications invites you to explore the heart-wrenching reality, “‘My Soul Aches’: Ukraine’s Mortal Courage” exhibition of images by Carol Guzy, at Jody Richards Hall Gallery on the campus of Western Kentucky University.

Step into a world of raw emotions, stark honesty, and the undeniable power of visual storytelling in this recent body of work from four-time Pulitzer Prize-Winning photojournalist Carol Guzy as we unveil a stunning collection of nearly 60 large format printed photographs that capture the essence and reality of the on-going war in Ukraine. Prepare to be moved as you journey through these captivating images allowing you to connect with the people of Ukraine on a deeply personal level and bear witness to the resilience and spirit of the Ukrainian people. Guzy’s work speaks to the unvarnished truth of conflict, offering a glimpse into the lives of those affected by the war. Guzy was the 2022 recipient of the Fleischaker/Greene Award for Courageous International Reporting from WKU School of Media.

WARNING: The content in this exhibition may be difficult for some to view, however these images were taken to connect us to the experiences of others in the hope we can better understand their suffering.

* Open only on days the University is open, parking is free after 4:30 pm on the Chestnut Street South Lot.

 

Carol Guzy: A Lens of Compassion and Courage in a World of Conflict

For over four decades, Carol Guzy has been a humble ambassador in the world of photojournalism. With an unerring eye for capturing the raw, emotional essence of human stories, Guzy has earned her place among the most celebrated photojournalists of our time.

Carol Guzy

Born with an innate curiosity and a passion for storytelling, Guzy embarked on her career in the early ’80s. Her unflinching commitment to truth and her remarkable ability to empathize with her subjects have garnered her four Pulitzer Prizes, one of only two journalists to have achieved this accomplishment.

Guzy’s recent work from Ukraine is an exemplar of her unmatched skill in documenting the human experience during times of crisis. Her photographs from the war-torn region are haunting and real, encapsulating the pain, resilience, and hope of the Ukrainian people. Through her lens, we witness the devastating impact of conflict on families, the bravery of those defending their homeland, and the indomitable spirit of a nation striving for peace.

In a world often marred by chaos and division, Carol Guzy’s work, from the fall of the Berlin Wall to the Kosovo War to Hurricane Katrina to the ISIS conflicts in the Middle East, serves as a beacon of truth and understanding. She reminds us that behind every headline and statistic, there are real people with real stories. Her photographs from Ukraine are not just images; they are windows into the heart and soul of a nation, a testament to her unwavering commitment to bearing witness to the world’s most pressing issues. Carol Guzy continues to inspire and educate through her powerful visual storytelling, leaving an indelible mark on the world of photojournalism.

 

2023 Capstone Projects

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What happens when your freshman year of college everything shuts down for a pandemic and your a Photojournalism Major? Learn to adapt. Our graduating senior class had to learn how to engage with people when the world says to distance. When events on campus don’t resume until your junior year in college. You learn invaluable skills in an always changing world. (Example electric at our senior picnic shelter would never turn on during a rainstorm)

Students in the photojournalism sequence spend the last semester of their major working on a individual or small-team 16-week long projects.  The results of their efforts can be viewed at this site:

http://wkuvjp436.tilda.ws/2023projects

 

Survivors by Allie Schallert and Arthur Trickett-Wile

Domestic violence is a worldwide problem, but in the U.S., Kentucky leads the proportion of women who face it.

http://wkuvjp436.tilda.ws/survivors

 

Champion of My Own World by Charlie Haynes

Despite challenges, boxing coach Josh “Rocky” Mata still manages to follow his passions and inspire other along the way

http://wkuvjp436.tilda.ws/championofmyownworld

 

Route by Gabi Broekema and Anna Leachman

A documentation of Kentuckians who work, worship and live along the historic Dixie Highway

https://wkuvjp436.tilda.ws/route

 

Stone of Comfort by Gunnar Word

Despite having overcome a rough childhood and unlikely odds, Ebenezer Griffith is on a journey to try and represent the United States in the Olympics in 2024

http://wkuvjp436.tilda.ws/stoneofcomfort

 

Tonality by Georgia Mallett

Finding a voice in identity and music

http://wkuvjp436.tilda.ws/tonality

 

Unbreakable Bond by Tyler Breneman and Cristina Betz

Despite their vastly different backgrounds, two sibling support one another in a way no one else can.

http://wkuvjp436.tilda.ws/unbreakablebond

Posted in: Class Work, Photojournalism Projects Class, Student Work

Scott Strazzante to present his mobile media photography

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Tuesday, March 21

Reception at 4:00 | School of Media gallery | refreshments will be served

Lecture at 7:00 | Jody Richards Hall auditorium

Shooting From the Hip, an iPhone image exhibition by Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Scott Strazzante will have an opening reception and lecture Tuesday, March 21 in the School of Media’s gallery and auditorium in Jody Richards Hall. Scott, using only his iPhone, captures the whimsy and irony, struggle and strength of everyday America. His twist on classic street photography fuses his shooting from the hip style with the serendipity of life, for a revealing vision of today’s world. Start following Scott today on Instagram at @scottstrazzante and get inspired to become the image maker you always wanted to be.

Scott will be available for questions at the gallery exhibition opening and then be sure to come back to see more of his work and hear him talk about how he uses his mobile device as a powerful tool in his collection of cameras. Free parking is available after 4:30 in the Chestnut St. lot at the end of regents drive.

The Life After, By Arthur H. Trickett-Wile

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WKUPJ junior, Arthur H. Trickett-Wile looks at the challenges one faces while being a force to challenge students on a daily basis.

Dr. Craig T. Cobane built the Western Kentucky University’s Mahurin Honors College from the ground up, working tirelessly and enthusiastically around the clock. But during an exploratory shoulder surgery last year, the surgeon found something that would change his life forever.

Posted in: Advanced Short Form Doc, Student Work, Through Our Eyes

Coming Alive By Allie Schallert

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WKUPJ Senior Allie Schallert looks at the paths one chooses and the influence family has over those choices.

Karen Davis was recognized from a young age for her artistic talent and was frequently encouraged to pursue it professionally. But without parents that properly encouraged her skills growing up she struggled to find her direction as an artist into adulthood.

To view the entire project: http://advancedshortform.tilda.ws/comingalive

Posted in: Through Our Eyes

Carry On

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From the moment the world learned of the death of Queen Elizabeth II on the evening of September 8, 2022, to the funeral held at Westminster Abbey on September 19, 2022, could be described as a fever dream. The city of London was still simmering with activity as it always has, but a blanket of calm and quiet sadness cloaked the streets. Citizens dressed in black and adorned in medals representing their service waited in the queue zig-zagging along the banks of the Thames to see the casket of their queen and to pay their respects to the monarch who dedicated 70 years of her life to her people.

WKUPJ student Gabi Broekema, who was studying a semester in Denmark, took the opportunity to hop over to London to document this historic event.

You can view the project here

Scenes from across London, England, of people mourning of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and looking forward to a new era with the recently appointed King Charles III.

Julia Finder poses for a portrait after waiting nearly 8 hours in the que to pay her respects to Queen Elizabeth II’s casket as she laid in-state at Westminster Abbey on Friday, September 16, 2022. “It’s my queen,” Finder says. “I would have even waited 12, 15 hours.”

A mourner pauses on her trek to lay flowers at the Green Park floral tribute for Queen Elizabeth II and waits for a glimpse of the recently crowned King Charles III on Friday, September 16, 2022. The King and his siblings were to stand vigil at Westminster Abbey over their mother.

The crowd outside of Buckingham Palace gets pushed back by security to make way for the recently crowned King Charles III as he headed to stand vigil over his mother, Queen Elizabeth II as she laid in-state at Westminster Abbey on Friday, September 16, 2022. Parents and guardians keep a steel grip on their children’s coat collars while pushing forward against the wall of spectators in hopes of helping them catch their first glimpse of the new head of the monarch.

The crowd cheers and waves as the King Charles III rolls by in full military uniform to stand vigil with his siblings over his mother’s casket as it laid in state on Friday, September 16, 2022.

Posted in: Photojournalism Projects Class, Picture Stories, Student Work, Through Our Eyes

Career Day 2023 at WKUPJ

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Scenes from the 2022 Career Day at Western Kentucky University

What: WKU Photojournalism Career Day

When: Friday, Feb. 24, 9 a.m. until mid to late afternoon

Roundtable discussion – 12:30-1:30, Room 127

Where: PJ lab area

WKU PJ Career Day is a unique opportunity for WKU School of Media students (including minors) to have interaction and discussion with members of the photojournalism industry. This is a chance for freshman to seniors to meet with several professionals throughout the day to show your work and begin the all-important process of making contacts for future internships, jobs and freelance opportunities. Though it is not the main purpose of this event, participation has led to many internships and other employment opportunities over the years. More important than this, it is an opportunity to make several connections within the profession students have chosen to pursue, as well as practice interacting with these professionals.

We have a great group of approximately 15 reviewers coming in from as far as San Antonio and Chicago to right here in Kentucky. This isn’t just about showing your work, it is about having the opportunity to meet and interact with significant people working within the profession.

Here is who is scheduled to appear:

  • Jon Cherry – Independent (Louisville)
  • Michel Fortier – San Antonio Express-News
  • Max Gersh – The Indianapolis Star
  • Gary Hairlson – St. Louis Post-Dispatch
  • Jeremy Harmon – The Tennessean
  • Daniel Houghton – Stand Together
  • Mark Humphrey – Associated Press (Tennessee)
  • Brett Marshall – Kertis Creative
  • Caitlin McMekin – Knoxville News Sentinel
  • Dijana Muminovic – Independent (Bosnia)
  • Phillip Murrell – WHAS 11
  • Patrick Murphy-Racey – Freelance (Knoxville)
  • Grace Ramey – Bowling Green Daily News
  • Steven Rosenberg – Chicago Tribune
  • Denny Simmons – Courier & Press (Evansville)
  • Steve Smart – Deloitte
  • Kylene White – Freelance (Louisville)

Painting by Number by Gabi Broekema

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WKU Photojournalism senior Gabi Broekema during her 6-month winter internship for Mlive tells the story of a Kalamazoo artist whose durational painting project documents mass shootings as they happen across the United States.

Mass shootings inspired Pitts to take on the large-scale project. Keith Pitts launched his endeavor to create small paintings he calls “markers” — one for each mass shooting that occurs in the United States through the entirety of 2022.

Click here to view the interactive project.

 

Posted in: Internship, Student Work, Through Our Eyes