Published April 13, 2020
Two University of Louisiana Monroe students took award-winning photos in a competition
by the College Media Association.
Saugat Shrestha and Prajal Prasai attended the College Media Association convention
in New York City in mid-March. Competing against colleges and universities from across
the country, the ULM students placed second and third in the photojournalist "shoot
out."
Shrestha, a dual Communication and Computer Science major, placed second in the contest.
Photographing in New York City has been a dream destination for Shrestha. His photograph
depicts the emptiness of the subways as the city braced for COVID-19.
"Subways are getting emptier"
By Saugat Shrestha
A man sits inside an almost-empty train on a Thursday at noon. The coronavirus has
a significant effect on New York City traffic. "People are avoiding trains and subways,
and they are taking other alternatives to go to their work," said the passenger on
a subway to Brooklyn.
"I was inspired by everything about the city, and I saw a story in everything," said
Shrestha, describing his experience.
Prasai, a Communication major, placed third in the contest with his photograph of
an optimistic New Yorker.
"Photojournalism is harsh and gritty in the sense that the photos don't necessarily
represent all the nice and good things people love to see. It exists to show an honest
depiction of life and the human condition that people ignore or can't see for themselves,"
said Prasai.
"Unafraid"
By Prajal Prasai
"Unafraid" – Tyler is an Uptown New York resident who works for Comedy Central. Despite
the dwindling number of tourists, he says, "The business is good for us as the Broadway
is closed." Tyler feels prepared in case there is a city-wide lockdown. He has savings
and has grocery stocked to last him for a few months. As a result, he does not feel
scared during this COVID-19 pandemic.
Prasai credits his passion to the many mentors, professors, and friends who have guided
him along his three-year photography journey. Both Prasai and Shrestha share appreciation
for having the opportunity to photograph times like these and win awards for their
work.
Christopher Mapp, Ph.D., Director of Student Publications and Associate Professor
of Communication, is proud of his students, who are members of The Hawkeye staff.
"Saugat and Prajal have been all over the world, so shooting in a place like New York
City, they really understand what connects humanity. They have incredible eyes for
things other people might miss and an intuition for that 'magic moment' all photographers
seek. They really captured the hectic pace of New York while documenting the growing
sense of isolation that was creeping in during those early days of the crisis," Mapp
said.
To view each of the photos along with more information about the convention, click here.
