Alexander, Age 15: The Garden of Eden, July 2024. Verbal flowers, words that bloom and enrapture with their tune. Performed roses fill the space, color mauve, yellow and red filled with rhyme, rhythm and grace. This is a simple but yet graceful photo captured on a warm sunny day. You can see the flowers blooming in color in this photo. It reminds me of a specific nostalgic memory embedded with me. It brings back to my travels in Dominican Republic where I saw a large open field with all types of flowers and plants growing.

Allisson, Age 15: Serenity of Daylight Love, July 2024.Lightning up the pond with a soft golden hue. Over the water, where our hearts find their view. Vibrant whispers of love in the daylight we share. Eternal and serene a bond beyond compare. While taking a leisurely afternoon stroll through Central Park with my camera, aiming to catch the city's essence I encountered a couple sitting by the pond. They were enjoying the beautiful views and more importantly each other's company. They appeared relaxed, as if they were savoring a well deserved break after a busy week. While respectfully observing them it struck me that love doesn’t have to be intense or active. True love can be found in simply spending quiet moments together, like sitting peacefully by a pond.

Yariel, Age 14: Love Towards You, July 2024.Nature has been important to me and to my godmother. She has this love for plants and nature and has always taught me and my siblings about how plants give us oxygen and help us survive.My godmother is like my 2nd mom. When I take these pictures I try to make sure they come out as perfect as possible because nature should have its credit for being here on earth. Both images connect with the rocks and the sky making it seem so relaxing and pretty.

Josh, Age 14: Silver Forest, July 2024. Moonlight’s glow on the grass Silver light paints the trees Silent than dull nights. My inspiration behind this picture was looking for something I could be proud of. We took a walk to Central Park, then came along many green hills and this scene in particular stood out to me. During the week we learned how to edit on Canva, I then had the idea to change up the image. I did this by changing the blue day sky to a dark night sky, I then added a crescent moon to give the image that night look.

Rashidat, Age 14: El Barrio Superette, July 2024.

Alexe, Age 14: Where Love Ends, July 2024. On July 26th 2024, I came across an elderly couple. I spent my time taking pictures of moments that felt inspiring, one of those moments being my time with an elderly couple. This couple gave me a glimpse of my future. They showed me what it looks like to have a person by your side, they showed me where love ends.

Yariel, Age 14: Love Towards You, July 2024.Nature has been important to me and to my godmother. She has this love for plants and nature and has always taught me and my siblings about how plants give us oxygen and help us survive.My godmother is like my 2nd mom. When I take these pictures I try to make sure they come out as perfect as possible because nature should have its credit for being here on earth. Both images connect with the rocks and the sky making it seem so relaxing and pretty.

Alexe, Age 14: Where Love Ends, July 2024.

Josh, Age 14: Silver Forest, July 2024. Moonlight’s glow on the grass Silver light paints the trees Silent than dull nights. My inspiration behind this picture was looking for something I could be proud of. We took a walk to Central Park, then came along many green hills and this scene in particular stood out to me. During the week we learned how to edit on Canva, I then had the idea to change up the image. I did this by changing the blue day sky to a dark night sky, I then added a crescent moon to give the image that night look.

Rashidat, Age 14 El Barrio Superette, July 2024.

Asifa, Age 14: Fisherman, July 2024. Until the fish come calling he waits in silence. But the fisherman's life line depends on what he nets. A fisherman was waiting there, one leg bent, for a very long time hoping to catch a fish. It reminded me of when I used to go fishing with my family. It took a lot of patience and stillness to capture a fish. I took this picture because it reminded me that we can all experience these feelings. I may have been somewhere else but the fisherman was there.

Deonisio, Age 14: Subtle Waters, July 2024

Gianna, Age 15: The Living World, July 2024.

Jalissa, Age 14: The outside through a lens, July 2024. This is our city, Isn’t it pretty? Hidden gems, found through a lens. These pictures were taken throughout Central Park and East Harlem with different techniques.They help show our community and environment hidden beauties in the most obvious places.

Jeremiah, Age 14: Willow, July 2024. I took this picture in early July. I spent most of my time here in Central Park, which is where I took this picture. This picture is of a willow tree. I named my photo meditation because of the vibes it gave me. It was beautiful and fluffy, the leaves and the water below with the ducks and turtles. It's calm and relaxing which is key to meditation.

Jordyn, Age 15: Creation, July 2024. The statue represents human creation. As I was viewing it, it reminded me of the time it took for people to build what we know now. It may have taken blood, sweat, and tears, but it was all worth it because the statue will remain for many years and others will be able to experience it just like how I did.

Joshua, Age 15: The Perfect Shot, July 2024. Basketball is fun, basketball is cool, basketball rules. A ball in flight, a hopeful art. A court alive, the night is stark. Echos of sneakers, heart beats pace. A dance of skill, a test of grace. I was at Jefferson Park with Jerremy. We were taking pictures of the basketball court. I thought it was a good shot because it's not something you would typically take a picture of. It was nice to see the contrast between the basketball hoop and trees.

Kenechukwu, Age 15: Same Sky, July 2024.

Lindsey, Age 15: Towers, July 2024. They make me feel things, They give me the challenge of creating a new vision. It reminds me of concrete safaris, to make a new living. I was at the brooklyn bridge and was surrounded by many buildings. These buildings were massive, but it still reminded me of my own. It had many windows like mine. It made me wonder about the many different lives that gather inside for all sorts of reasons. I used a lower angle to demonstrate just how massive the building is and how much it is capable of holding.

Pharrell, Age 14: Poma nationals, July 2024. Roses are red, the plants are green. The sky is blue, if you litter you're a fool. As you walk around god sees the trash on the ground. I took this picture because basketball means a lot to me, having played since I was five years old. Basketball is something that brings me joy, something that introduces me to other players and people that I can call my brothers to this day. That's what inspired this picture.

Pharrell, Age 14: Poma nationals, July 2024. Roses are red, the plants are green. The sky is blue, if you litter you're a fool. As you walk around god sees the trash on the ground. I took this picture because basketball means a lot to me, having played since I was five years old. Basketball is something that brings me joy, something that introduces me to other players and people that I can call my brothers to this day. That's what inspired this picture.

Trenton, Age 14: Environmental Journey, July 2024. s this a time to be cloudy and sad? When our Mother Nature laughs around. Whenever the deep blue heavens look glad and gladness breathes from the blossoming ground. As I was going on a walk, I was hit with the realization of how beautiful nature can be. I took this picture because of the shadows of the people and trees which were across from each other. It made me feel calm and stable within. Watching everybody do their everyday things within nature made me feel like I was a part of a community.

Abel, Age 15 Complexion, July 2024. During this summer excursion, as we have visited various locations & taken dozens of pictures, I learned that nature is embedded into the city, you just have to know where to look. Often we relate the lonely trees on the sidewalk to nature but nature is how the seeds we plant warp around the landscape we created. I chose this picture because it’s one of the most vibrant in my catalog and I felt it captured the synergy of the urban scenery with the green bushes and vines perfectly. My image, from my perspective, reflects a sense of home locked behind a gate.

Anthony, Age 14: An Entry Into the Urban World, August 2024. The trees are brown everywhere but the center, creating an opening, there you can find a pair of small buildings and clouds passing by. This makes me think about a door between nature and industrialization

Anthony, Age 14: An Entry Into the Urban World, August 2024. The trees are brown everywhere but the center, creating an opening, there you can find a pair of small buildings and clouds passing by. This makes me think about a door between nature and industrialization

Daquane, Age 14: Greens, July 2024. Walking throughout Central Park, I viewed many greens, from the green grass, to the hills, to the tall standing trees. All this greenery, for me to choose, I pick to share the plant who gives us air and life.

Abel, Age 15 Complexion, July 2024. During this summer excursion, as we have visited various locations & taken dozens of pictures, I learned that nature is embedded into the city, you just have to know where to look. Often we relate the lonely trees on the sidewalk to nature but nature is how the seeds we plant warp around the landscape we created. I chose this picture because it’s one of the most vibrant in my catalog and I felt it captured the synergy of the urban scenery with the green bushes and vines perfectly. My image, from my perspective, reflects a sense of home locked behind a gate.

Kamiyah, Age 14: Jefferson Gardens, July 2024. What do you do with a used napkin or an open candy wrapper you brought from the store? Did you toss it on the ground? Or put it in its respective place? I share this image that I took on my way to the park. I wanted to show the state of the parks, and how it affects me. This is proof showing that litter like cigarette butts, soda cans, water bottles, plastic bags, and takeout boxes are all over your child’s ground.

Delilah, Age 15: Nature at Randalls, July 2024. This photo expresses how much I love and believe in nature. This location amplifies how nature is the staple for beauty. My image conveys how nature and the community come together to provide a setting like no other. The grass, trees, wind all live in harmony with our community and the only word to explain this is beauty.

Jenesis, Age 14: Central Park, July 2024. Nurtured by the morning dew, A canvas painted in shades of blue. Trees whisper secrets in the breeze, Underneath, the world finds peace. Rivers dance and mountains stand tall, Eternal beauty, nature's call.

Kamiyah, Age 14: Jefferson Gardens, July 2024. What do you do with a used napkin or an open candy wrapper you brought from the store? Did you toss it on the ground? Or put it in its respective place? I share this image that I took on my way to the park. I wanted to show the state of the parks, and how it affects me. This is proof showing that litter like cigarette butts, soda cans, water bottles, plastic bags, and takeout boxes are all over your child’s ground.

Lariah, Age 14: Black and White, August 9, 2024.