Photographs in the annual student Black and White Photography Contest on display at the Schack Art Center on Thursday, April 18, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Photographs in the annual student Black and White Photography Contest on display at the Schack Art Center on Thursday, April 18, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Black and white photos aren’t old school for teens at Schack Art Center

The photography contest, in its 29th year, had over 170 entries. See it at the Schack in Everett through May 5.

EVERETT — Elisa Fares had never picked up a camera before taking a photography class at Glacier Peak High School.

Much to her surprise, and delight, the French exchange student was the grand prize winner in the 29th Annual Black and White Photography Contest and Student Exhibition at the Schack Art Center.

“I didn’t think I would win anything,” she said at a reception Thursday at the center. “Photography was not my thing at all.”

High school students from Snohomish County submitted about 170 entries for the contest. Photos were judged for composition, creativity and presentation.

In addition to top prizes, which included gift cards from Brooklyn Bros. Pizzeria, numerous honorable mention certificates were awarded. The exhibit is in the center’s Emerging Young Artists Gallery through May 5. Admission to the Schack is free.

Elisa’s photo, “Flesh,” is of her best friend’s neck and collarbone.

The Schack Art Center’s Black and White Photography Contest Grand Prize winner, “Flesh” by Elisa Fares, Glacier Peak High School.

The Schack Art Center’s Black and White Photography Contest Grand Prize winner, “Flesh” by Elisa Fares, Glacier Peak High School.

“I took it in five seconds before the bell rang,” she said.

She then spent two hours editing the image.

“Flesh” has attracted international viewers.

“My mom already printed it and put it in my living room in France,” Elisa said.

Monochrome photos, and the use of cameras instead of cell phones, might seem old school these days.

“Black and white photography goes back to the fundamentals of what photography has always been,” said Nicole Dibble, Schack education coordinator. “It’s a great way for students to take color out of the equation and focus on lines and form and get a lot of value in their pieces.”

The wall of Honorable Mention photographs in the 2024 Annual Black and White Photography Contest on display at the Schack Art Center on Thursday, April 18, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Snohomish High School photography teacher Jay Adams said students like it.

“It tells a story without distractions,” he said. The images “are more dramatic.”

About 60 of his students entered photos.

“I do really like the contrast,” said senior Athen Hoyt.

Athen earned first place in the upper age division for “Anger Breeds Contempt,” of an arm and partial body of a figure standing near the Snohomish River. Athen mainly does illustrations and plans to go to art school in the fall.

The Schack Art Center’s Black and White Photography Contest first place winner in the 11th and 12th grade division, “Anger Breeds Contempt” by Athen Hoyt, Snohomish High School.

The Schack Art Center’s Black and White Photography Contest first place winner in the 11th and 12th grade division, “Anger Breeds Contempt” by Athen Hoyt, Snohomish High School.

Jamie Bazile, another Snohomish High senior, photographed a chess board and photoshopped himself into it.

His photo, titled “Pawn,” took third place in his age group.

“It was a chess set missing a bunch of pieces,” he said. “The photo has gone a lot further than I expected it to go, but it’s a cool photo, I think.”

“Pawn” by Jamie Bazile, Snohomish High School, won third place in the 11th and 12th grade age group in the Black and White Photography Contest at Schack Art Center.

“Pawn” by Jamie Bazile, Snohomish High School, won third place in the 11th and 12th grade age group in the Black and White Photography Contest at Schack Art Center.

His usual art medium is drawing. The photo was homework.

“I submitted it just so I could get an assignment done,” he said.

His mom, Amy Bazile, was among the proud parents at Thursday’s reception.

“It has been fun to see his art develop and progress from the tiny little doodles he used to do on his homework in grade school,” she said. “This will go in Dad’s office at home.”

Andrea Brown: 425-339-3443; abrown@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @reporterbrown.

And the winners are:

Grand Prize

Elisa Fares, Glacier Peak High School, “Flesh”

11th and 12th Grades

First Place: Athen Hoyt, Snohomish High School, “Anger Breeds Contempt”

Second: Megan White, Sky Valley Education Center, “Continuance”

Third: Jamie Bazile, Snohomish, “Pawn”

9th and 10th Grades, all from Glacier Peak

First Place: Ananya Raichura, “Frozen Moments”

Second: Sofia Carmona, “Visionary”

Third: Emma Chmil, “In the Cave”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood police: 1 suspect in custody, 1 at large after attempted carjacking

Beverly Elementary School went into a precautionary lockdown Thursday afternoon. Numerous officers continue to search for the second suspect.

Candidates announce campaigns for Everett city council seat

Ryan Crowther, founder of the Everett Music Initiative, will challenge incumbent Paula Rhyne for the District 2 seat.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.