The sun sets on Morningside University campus after a long Friday of work.
A Morningside University banner in front of the Library Center.
The Library Center glows as the sun sets on Morningside’s campus.
The Buhler Outdoor Performance Center awaits its next utilization.
The stone tables outside of Roadman Hall, are a great place to study with friends.
The big and beloved “M” logo sits near the center of campus.
The Elwood & Grace Olsen Student Center is a popular spot for Morningside students.
Dimmit Hall: A sought-after housing location for students.

Reflection Essay (750 words):

Hi, my name is Noa Phillips, and this is my Photo Story and my eight pictures of Morningside University’s campus. My theme for this Photo Story was “A walk through Morningside” and throughout my pictures, I tell the story of a relaxing walk through campus. I decided to shoot the quiet paths, the busy spots where students hang out, and the nice buildings. From sunrise to sunset, these photos give the audience a peek into our college life. It resembles a casual stroll through the Morningside University college grounds. Lastly, I took these pictures as part of my photojournalism class, where I learned how to capture moments and tell stories through photography. It’s been a fun way to explore our campus and share what makes it special.

I wanted to show how walking around a small college campus feels nice and peaceful, especially during sunset. Each of the eight pictures I took captures different parts of the campus bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, like quiet paths and student areas. When the audience sees these pictures, I want them to feel like you’re taking a relaxing stroll through the college, feeling the warmth of the sun filtering through the trees and casting long shadows across the grass.

Looking at these pictures, I know people might see things differently based on what they like. Some might notice the buildings more, like the way they’re designed or how they catch the golden light of the sunset. And some might be drawn to the nature, like the way the trees’ leaves glow in the evening light or how the sun almost seems to sparkle. But I think my view of the campus as a calm and friendly place for learning is right because it captures what makes small colleges special, especially during this time of day.

I learned how to take these kinds of pictures in my photojournalism class. We talked about how to make photos look good and tell a story, like using different angles and lighting to capture the beauty of the sunset. Also, just being on different campuses helped me understand what makes a college look and feel welcoming, especially as the day transitions into night. I noticed things like how the buildings’ silhouettes stand out against the colorful sky, and how the peaceful atmosphere seems to intensify as the sun dips below the horizon. Putting it all together, I wanted to create images that show the vibe of a small college campus at sunset, capturing the essence of what it’s like to be there as the day comes to a close.

Moreover, this small campus is super picturesque, offering tons of cool spots for awesome pictures. From pretty buildings to green trees and cool paths, everywhere you look seems like it’s made for a photo. And when the sun sets, it gets even cooler—the way the light hits everything makes it all look even better. Whether you’re a pro photographer or just snapping pics on your phone, this campus is perfect for capturing cool moments and making memories. Plus, since the campus isn’t huge, it’s easy to explore and find new spots to take pictures. There’s always something different to see, from cozy spots for close-up shots to big open areas for wide shots. And the buildings also just look amazing in any picture, whether it’s daytime or nighttime. So, if you love taking pictures, Morningside University campus is the place to be!

I believe that I have improved a lot in photography since I have been a part of this class. When I first started this photojournalism class, my photos were not very good for many reasons. The lighting in my photos use to be not very good as well as the angles. I feel that I have greatly improve that area of my photography and I am satisfied with where I am now. This assignment challenged me because I had to think of a good topic to do my Photo Story on. It took me a while to figure one out and I finally landed on “A Walk Through Morningside”. I like this topic a lot because it really does show the beautiful campus and it shows it through a student’s own eyes. It was also challenging because even when I had my topic figured out, I still wanted to make sure I had the best pictures possible so that the campus could really be at its best. I decided to wait until sunset one evening and go walk through the campus to take pictures. This decision turned out to be a good one because I think I really grasped what the campus looks like, and the sunset really aided in that. In the end, I am happy with how my Photo Story turned out and I am happy with how I have improved as a photojournalist.