Teen Ink magazine - November 2022

By teens,

teens

CONTENTS

PHOTO BY ELLA SNYDER, WINTER SPRINGS, FL

Letter from the Editor

Focusing in on photographers!

Dear Teen Ink Readers,

Authors and poets tend to get the spotlight in Teen Ink magazine, but it’s the artists and photographers who make that first impact on the reader. That’s why we’ve decided to give Teen Ink photographers their very own issue in November! (Stay tuned for future special issues that shine a light on all of Teen Ink’s contributors!)

Throughout this issue, you’ll see beautiful images all captured by the teenagers who make Teen Ink a community. In the next few pages, you’ll see stunning landscapes, friendly faces, exciting travels, some interesting perspectives, and more!

We also wanted to give you the opportunity to get to know these photographers a little more. In addition to reading about techniques and inspiration from the photographers themselves, we also interviewed some of Teen Ink’s most prolific photographers, so you can learn their stories and insights into the hobby.

Now, for those of you who like to read, don’t worry! There are some lovely articles and poems that have been sprinkled throughout this issue. These are some pieces you won’t want to miss, as they cover the wonder, nostalgia, and self-confidence that these teens have learned and experienced, thanks to photography!

As always, we welcome your feedback! You’re welcome to write a letter to an editor or submit artwork, photographs, written works, and poetry to www.teenink.com/submit.

Thanks for reading!

The Teen Ink Team

beauty

Perspectives

CREDITS

A BUG’S LIFE

MIN,

ISLANDS

LING,

SOEUN LEE,

ENGINEERING THE IDEAL WOMAN

BY KARIS LAI, PRINCETON, NJ

“Five hands represent the groups of power that hold the paint brushes (i.e., social media, men, etc). I am defined by the hands of these groups; a blank canvas for the modern day impressionists.”

— Karis Lai

BLOOM

BY ZIYI LIU, SHENZHEN, CHINA

RAINBOW EYE

ARYANA SINGH, NEW YORK CITY, NY

ARTIST

NAANKI KAUR, SINGAPORE

“My concept is based on portraying my definition of an artist. To me, ‘artist’ is an extremely broad term but when I think of the word, free dom and expression immediately come to mind.”

— Naanki Kaur

CREDITS

PERSPECTIVE

BY SOFIA LI, BEIJING, CHINA

HEARTSTRINGS BY XUJIA GUAN, MAPLE RIDGE, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

CASTING SHADOWS BY MAEZALYN RICHARDS, SURPRISE, AZ

CAPTURED in the Moment

by Pilyoung Yoon, Seoul, South Korea

The subway rolls in, and the busy crowd flows in and out of the station. As I survey my surroundings, the scene I’m witnessing is quite typical of a bustling metropolis. A man leaning slightly behind the train door grabs my attention. I can’t precisely pinpoint the allure, but the man seems to gleam, almost majestically, through the overwhelming crowd. Compelled by the moment, I rush to reach for my camera, and right before the door shuts, I quickly adjust the exposure, point, and shoot. The train slowly departs. I review the photo and can’t believe what I am seeing.

Sometimes, I look back at the photo and relive the moment — the sound of those climbing the steps and the humming of the train still ring loud and clear. This is the power of photography, engraining the moment as I hold it in my hand. Maybe, my inclination toward photography comes from my childhood, filled with different cultures and environments. From Dubai, Germany, the U.S., and South Korea, each country gave me countless memorable moments dear to my heart. A photo of my brother and me, arms around one another, in front of our old home. A group photo with my friends on my last day in Germany. A goofy photo of my water polo team elated after a league victory. Yet, while moving around, I’ve also learned the cruelty of time with many farewells I had to say. Photos were one thing that provided me with a sense of comfort and realization that special moments are indeed unforgotten and live with me within these frames. At some point, the train always seems to leave.

Beyond the experience, the symbolic nature a moment can withhold adds tremendous sentimental value. The subway picture was much more endearing because it finally solidified my progression as a photographer. In truth, the sudden burst in photographic skills only happened recently. Now that I look back, my first few photos were quite comical: blurry, disoriented, and devoid of life. Yet I continued to shoot and capture, experimenting with various camera features. The number of photos quickly accumulated, and my skills and experiences, too,

grew. One by one, my photos started to fill with color, story, and life. Although I hold one amazing picture, behind them lies hundreds of atrocious failures, unseen to others yet visible to the photographer.

In a sense, there is no bad picture in the grand scheme. I came to treasure the countless moments in the journey. Pictures I take as a method of selfaccountability to exercise daily pile up with photos in the gym, pool, and out at the Han River. They all speak to me that I want to become something more.

It’s still surreal the timing of it all. The lighting, the shadows, and the split second that made all the difference make it difficult to distinguish whether I captured the moment or the moment called me. Life seems to have its moments of serendipity. Everything

clicked with the internship that sparked a passion for technology and the environment as I researched the effective solution of blockchain technology and its ramifications in carbon trading. Wanting to make an environmental difference in my community but not knowing where to start, one post on Instagram for a potential project amassed 17 students with stellar leadership and passion, joining to form an outstanding team. I still struggle to fathom the science behind these moments, but I understand the significance and make sure I make the most of them.

I wonder what he was looking at, holding his phone, leaning so casually. He was heading somewhere I don’t know, yet he unknowingly left a precious gift to me. As the picture resembles so many aspects of my life, I am gently reminded of my aspirations to cherish and grow from every possible opportunity and give precious moments along the way.

PHOTOS WERE ONE THING THAT PROVIDED ME WITH A SENSE OF COMFORT

SUNSET OVER A FIELD

BY MACEY KLEIN, BISMARCK, ND

Eyes to the Sky ...and a little bit more

Capturing beautiful skies and the nature below.

END OF THE WORLD

BY MAXWELL SELVER, TENAFLY, NJ

WILDFIRE AND THE MILKY WAY

BY ASHLEY XUE, MCKINNEY, TX

CREDITS

BY KENZIE TAYLOR, MEXICO, MO

BRIDGE

BY ZIANG WANG, ILLINOIS

SEASIDE

BY YUTANG SHAN, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

GOLDEN SUNSET

BY YUFANG ZHANG, SHENZHEN, CHINA

1 OVERLOOK

A TRANQUIL SUNRISE

BY DINESH OGGU, ATLANTA, GA

Photograph sometimes i wish my words could capture the beauty of a moment not its meaning, no. that perfect snapshot of pure, candid joy or of the sun’s brilliant rays stretching across that great firmament. i want to find a linguistic camera and preserve every vibrant sunset every hope, every dreamin its full beauty. not just these bare, sparse words decorating this blank white page.

BY GABI GARCIA, CHICAGO, IL

CREDITS

BY ANONYMOUS

GLACIAL

BY YUTANG SHAN, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

GRAND TETON IN THE SUMMER

BY MEGAN YANG, CUPERTINO, CA

ROCKY DUNES

“The intricate dunes of california are parched, bone-dry, and scorched segments of land.” — Anonymous

FOR THE CAMERA!

It’s time for the animals to shine! Scaly and furry, domesticated and wild. Sometimes the creatures you can’t communicate with are the most photogenic.

CREDITS

LURKING IN SHALLOW WATERS BY CAMERON CUNNINGHAM, SALEM, CT

FUN IN THE LEAVES

BUSHROE, TEMPERANCE, MI

IS MY HUMAN;

LEGACY 2

EMMA BELL,

IT’S GOOD TO BE CALM,

AND SILENT

DE SILVA,

LANKA

JELLYFISH

BUTZ,

CREDITS

1 PAWS ON GROUND

BY LIZ STRUT, CLARENCE CENTER, NY

2 SILLY GOAT!

BY EMMA BELL, MANSFIELD, TX

3 BONOBO MONKEY

BY AUBREY BLACKBURN, BEAVER FALLS, PA

DOG

Who is Cameron Cunningham?

Hi, I’m a high school junior that lives in small-town, rural Connecticut. How ever, I live away from home much of the time at a small boarding school, nestled in the wooded hills of Massachusetts. As a result of the sylvan setting these two homes have in common, I’ve become accustomed to spending much of my time outdoors. This aspect of my life has become very apparent in photography; most of my favorite images come from natural subjects.

What do you love most about photography?

I love how photography enables us to capture a snapshot of life. It’s an art form that evokes intense emotion while recapturing cherished memories. Looking at an old picture can be very nostalgic.

How long have you been interested in photography?

Almost four years! I’ve only been serious about it for about two.

How did you get into photography?

I can remember being amazed by the detail my phone could capture, and I was prompted to try shooting different subjects to see how well my phone’s camera really worked. The versatility of such a small device really impressed me. From there, I started using it every chance I got! After a while, I outgrew the phone camera and invested in new equipment.

Do you have any other hobbies?

Ice hockey is the most notable of my other hobbies. I’ve been playing for 10 years and skating for 12. I also love playing tennis (very recreationally). Whenever possible, I also love to travel.

Do you have any tips for other photographers?

Find your own niche subject! I’ve been shooting primarily nature, and have been really enjoying it. It’s been super rewarding looking at the natural world through a different lens (literally and figuratively). Seeing living organisms close up has given me a new appreciation for plants and creatures which are usually an unspectacular part of our lives. By finding your own style and subject, you might become more compelled to continue with photography.

Do you have any interesting stories/ experiences relating to photography?

I was in Costa Rica this summer, and I had promised myself that I would spend some time taking pictures. So, one day I took my camera out, not expecting much. As soon as I took it out, a white dog scampered towards me from down the road. It was a friendly stray that I had seen around for the last few days. I snapped what would become one of my all-time favorite pictures of him. For the rest of my stay in Costa Rica, the dog followed me and my friends all around the village we were staying in!

Cunnigham

ON...

Who is Emma Bell?

I have always been a creative person. Ever since I turned nine, it seemed like I wanted to learn everything. Over the years I have learned baking, sewing, crocheting, knitting, and photography! Even when I was little, I always loved when my mom and I would do “photoshoots.”

What do you love most about photography?

How you can capture feelings/meanings in a single picture. You can capture something that would take pages to write in a single photo.

How long have you been interested in photography?

I really started getting into it three years ago, but I have always loved it.

How did you get into photography?

I took a class at my school about photography.

Do you have any other hobbies?

Writing, crocheting, knitting, sewing, and baking.

Do you have any tips for other photographers?

Take hundreds and hundreds of photos. Even if it’s just of one thing, you are more likely to get more good photos if you take more. Don’t delete photos on your camera! Look at them when you upload them to your computer and think on it. You could like it better. Lighting can make or break the photo. Make sure you have good lighting. Post and upload photos, even if you think there’re bad, to Teen Ink. Some of the photos I don’t like that I have uploaded have ended up being Editor’s Choice. Have fun and add your own unique perspective to your photos!

Do you have any interesting stories/ experiences relating to photography?

Definitely would be the how hard the “I scream you, you scream, we all scream for ice cream” was to take. My dog kept licking my model, the sun was blazing hot, I couldn’t get the photo leveled. It’s probably my favorite behind story to my photos because we look back on it and laugh our heads off.

PHOTOS BY EMMA BELL

CAMILLA’S REFLECTIONS

BY ELENA ZHANG, WALLINGFORD, CT

“This is a raw image taken on 2” shutter speed. It captures the internal struggles of teens through the current stream of social media and our insecurities on appearance.”

— Elena Zhang, Wallingford, CT

Capturing the daily hustle and bustle of life and the constant passage of time.

“A snowboarder stands at a cliff's edge. From this perspective, it seems like a step forward is a fall to death, but from another, what awaits might be a wondrous adventure.”

— Jiayu Wang

CREDITS

1 INTO THE UNKNOWN

BY JIAYU WANG, SHANGHAI, CHINA

ONWARDS

BY CARSON LING, WALLINGFORD, CT

CHILDHOOD

BY BOBBY WU, HONG KONG

IGNITED NEWSPAPERS

BY MARIAN DE SILVA, GAMPAHA, SRI LANKA

YOUTH

BY CHENGYE LIN, BRISTOL, CT

CREDITS

FLIGHT OF TIME

LINDSEY SMITH, CHARLOTTE, NC

ZIANG WANG, LAKE FOREST, IL

CHENGYE LIN, BRISTOL, CT

WENQIAN WU, SHANGHAI, CHINA

SPRAY

NYC

DYNAMIC AND STATIC

WAVE

JIAYIN ZOU, MCLEAN, VA

“The spring is flowing while the trees are standing still. It symbolizes that time passes invisibly.”

Wenqian Wu, Shanghai, China

PERSONAL UP CLOSE &

RASPBERRIES BY EMMA BELL, MANSFIELD,

Where tiny or faraway objects are given the opportunity to shine!

DOG DAYS

DOG DAYS

- Zhitong Zhou, Shenzhen, China

“As the moon approached the perigee on July 14th, the largest moon in 2022 rose from the night sky. There it shined, alone but bright.”

SUPERMOON

— Jiayu Wang, Shanghai, China

SUNFLOWER IN THE DARK BY ZHITONG ZHOU, SHENZHEN, CHINA

“Flower and light.”

— Luke Byrnes, New Rochelle, NY

“This is an original photograph that I staged and edited, the objects in the picture are props that are actually supposed to be part of a desk light!”

HIDING PLACE

Pictures are memories trapped in ink. They stay there forever even as you embrace the fact that they’re gone. May it seem unreal, but like a stream, life goes on. Leaving behind a trace of pain you wish you could erase, unsure and lost in space you remain in your hiding place.

Your mind wanders into a place of despair. Hoping you can get a

breath of air, but you’re surrounded. Bound to the place in your mind where you’re lost forever.

Trying to put together the pieces like a puzzle, you start to tussle with yourself. And in a blink of an eye, they’re gone. The ink still there, but the memory is just in a documentary.

BY KENZIE TAYLOR, MEXICO, MO

CREDITS

THIS PICTURE IS TAKEN FROM THE OLD SUMMER PALACE. THE LOTUS GLISTENS WET AFTER A RAIN AND GROWS VIBRANTLY UPON THE LAKE, WHICH SHOWS A SUMMERTIME VIGOR OF CREATURES.

S ulley and Me

by Ella Snyder, Winter Springs, FL

I climbed the metal stairs of the bleachers in the section labeled “freshmen,” inching my way to the top row. I sat alone. As 2,200 students poured into the gymnasium for a pep rally, I clutched my backpack on my lap. I was prepared to endure the excessive cheering and the incessant degradation of the freshmen. Soon, the class competitions began, prompting the sophomores, juniors, and seniors to gang up on the ninth graders and chant “GO HOME, FRESHMEN!”

I was alone. I was out of place. I was miserable. I felt like an impostor in the stands. My eyes darted around the gym — marching drummers, stunting cheerleaders, shrieking students. To me, it was an overwhelming frenzy of activity — one where I didn’t fit. So where did I fit? I wasn’t sure.

But then, I met Sulley.

Not only was I no longer in the dreaded freshman section — I was no longer alone. I now had Sulley by my side. Sulley was my camera, a Nikon D3500 DSLR, named after Pixar’s lovable blue and purple monster, James P. Sullivan.

Pep rallies during sophomore year were different. I was now behind the scenes but in the action. Sulley and I worked together with a goal in mind: capture an emotional image for the school’s yearbook cover. My classmates, now sophomores, hollered the infamous chant “GO HOME, FRESHMEN!” I tuned it out; instead of engaging in the slightly derogatory chant, I fiddled with Sulley’s shutter speed: 1/250s seemed to do the trick. The shutter would be open long enough to let light seep in without blurring the students’ arms as they swung around enthusiastically. Students whizzed around me — dancing, shouting, cheering — but my vision was confined to the rectangle of my camera’s viewfinder. Each grade screamed at the top of its lungs, competing to prove that it was the loudest. “I got the seniors!” I shouted to another staff photographer. I strategically positioned myself, knowing that the senior class would inevitably win the spirit stick. I was right — the crowd roared with

excitement. I slipped my lens cap into the pocket on my camera strap, crouched down to a “worm’s eye

view,” and snapped photos as the stick was handed over to the seniors.

Zooming in on what was once a gymnasium full of chaos, I noticed the little things — the dance team’s matching lipstick, a student’s rainbow shoelaces, and reflections in the French horns.

As photography made its way into all aspects of my life, I learned to look closer. This wasn’t a revelation, but more of a gradual realization. I put in the effort to notice the small things. In fact, in my AP 2–D Art and Design class, I chose to answer the question “What objects are small but important to society?” through my photography. Outside of the class, I expanded my observations beyond just “objects.” Patterns on a soccer ball, stripes of a zebra, rays of sunlight peeking through the window — I appreciated details.

I still do.

I chase down bees and butterflies at Lukas Plant Nursery, aiming to capture a clear image of an insect in action. I hang string lights in my backyard, setting my aperture wide to photograph the outof-focus lights in a perfect bokeh picture. I travel to low-income neighborhoods with the non-profit organization GROW Central Florida, capturing the smiles of children receiving brand-new sneakers. I embrace golden hour, positioning a family of sixteen beside cypress trees during a portrait session. I pop water balloons, leading Photography Club in a lesson on photographing liquids. I marvel at the completed yearbook, admiring my pep rally photograph printed on the cover.

I was a freshman who didn’t fit in, a sophomore finding her place, and a junior noticing the details. Now, even when Sulley isn’t by my side, I continue to appreciate the little things.

PEP RALLY BY ELLA SNYDER

MORNING SUNRISE FROM A PLANE

BY MACEY KLEIN, BISMARCK, ND

The Travel

Your adventures frozen in time.

UN ABBEY ROUTE FRANÇAISE

BY MAXWELL SELVER, TENAFLY, NJ

I LOVE SEOUL

BY JACKIE HUANG, SCARSDALE, NY

PHOTOS BY JACKIE HUANG,

NY

OYSTER BY ERIC ZHANG, SHENZHEN, CHINA

CONTRIBUTORS

THANK YOU!

Photos

Ella Snyder, Front Cover Daniel Min, 6 Carson ling, 7 Soeun Lee, 7 Karis Lai, 8 Ziyi Liu, 10 Aryana Singh, 10 Naanki Kaur, 10 Sofia Li, 11 Xujia Guan, 11 Maezalyn Richards, 11 Ashrar Aunuvuty, 12 Ella Snyder, 12 Ellie Bergstrand, 12 Macey Klein, 14 Maxwell Selver, 15 Ashley Xue 15 Kenzie Taylor, 16 Ziang Wang, 16 Yutang Shan, 17 Yufang Zhang, 17 Dinesh Oggu, 18 Yutang Shan, 20 Megan Yang, 20 Anonymous, 21 Cameron Cunningham, 22 Eden Bushroe, 23

Madilyn Charles, 24 Ella Snyder, 24 Emma Bell, 24 Marian De Silva, 25 Samantha Butz, 25 Liz Strut, 26 Emma Bell, 27 Aubrey Blackburn, 27 Elena Zhang, 36 Jiayu Wang, 38 Carson Ling, 38 Bobby Wu, 39 Marian De Silva, 39 Chengye Lin, 39 Lindsey Smith, 40 Ziang Wang, 40 Chengye Lin, 40 Wenqian Wu, 41 Jiayin Zou, 41 Emma Bell, 42 Jiayu Wang, 43 Luke Byrnes, 43 Zhitong Zhou, 43 Jiayin Zou, 44 Amber Yu, 44 Juliette Ghanem, 45 Xi Kang, 45 Ella Snyder, 47 Macey Klein, 48

Maxwell Selver, 49 Jackie Huang, 49 Anonymous, 50 Anonymous, 50 Isabella Wang, 50 Emma Dutton, 51 Micah Sellers, 51 Jackie Huang, 52 Eric Zhang, 54 Annalese Bartolacci, Back Cover

In the Spotlight

Cameron Cunningham, 28 Emma Bell, 33

Articles

Pilyoung Yoon, 13 Ella Snyder, 46

Poems

Gabi Garcia, 19 Kenzie Taylor, 44

Editorial Staff

Teen Ink is a bi-monthly journal dedicated to publishing a variety of works by teenagers. Teen Ink Magazine and TeenInk.com are both operating divisions and copyright protected trademarks of StudentBridge, Inc. Teen Ink is not responsible for the content of any advertisement. We have not investigated advertisers and do not necessarily endorse their products or services. Publication of material appearing in Teen Ink is prohibited unless written permission is obtained. Teen Ink is designed using Adobe InDesign.

Managing Editor: Noelle Campbell

Senior Editor: Cindy W. Spertner

Editor: Kylie Andrews

Editor: Ashley Nix Head of Strategic Partnerships: Chane Hazelett Production: Katie Olsen

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PHOTO BY ANNALESE BARTOLACCI, PITTSBURGH, PA