College vistas snapped by students

Date Published: 13.12.2022

Students and other members of our community took photos of their favourite spots in College. All part of a competition to find the cover of the next donor report!

Grace says "this photo is taken from my desk in my room, looking out through my window. It's my favourite place in college because even when I'm spending all day inside writing essays, I still feel connected to nature, and I find that very fulfilling."

Nicholas says, "attached is a photo I took from a balcony in Library Court following a thunderstorm at the end of last weekend. As soon as I saw the faint glow of the sun on Main Quad from my room, I ran up to capture the band of sunlight as the sun set below the clouds. I have always loved this spot, both for the views of Wadham below and of Oxford beyond. After long hours studying in the library, it is always particularly serene to come up here, and it helps remind you of where you are, and why you are here."

Lena says, "I would like to submit this photo of Socks at Merifield for the competition! I felt attached with the front yard of Merifield the moment I arrived with Socks welcoming me on my first day and I wish to share this moment with more people."

Justyna says, "It's the Chapel, where everyone is welcome and can find a moment for reflection."

Weina says, "The sight you see after finishing an essay four hours after the deadline."

Jiyang says, "Wadham has one of the most magnificent college chapel. I entered the chapel one afternoon following Maggie Mae - the college dog everyone loves. Shining through the painted windows, the dim light at dusk creates a solemn atmosphere in the chapel."

According to Isabela, there are '...different sides of Wadham as there are many different sides to each one of us. There is always a new perspective to be explored.'

Uljad says, "This is my favourite place. The sun shines differently here. It is like a different place and time, closest thing to time travel."

Librarian Tim says, "this area always looks so beautiful at this point in the year."

Visiting Professor, Jayanne says, "Wadham's Chapel provides dynamic contrasts between light and shadows and casts brilliant colours from its stained glass windows. However an image can't capture a most special feature - the Chapel's acoustics. When a visiting soprano experienced these she, impromptu, gave me my first serious, and very emotional, singing lesson."

Chris, our Estates Manager, says, "Reflections - I love this area of the College for its ever changing reflections - not only for the reflection of the tree and Foundation Building and chimney on the Undergraduate Centre, but the green carpet of fallen leaves against the stark of the stone steps and the leaves picked up on the glass panel leading to the Access Centre. From inside students to the outside seating with the bright colour under the arch, which is also reflected onto the bar window glass. The more I look, the more reflections I find. The final reflection for me, is the memory of the Goddard Building which once stood in its place and reflecting on the work of everyone who made this picture possible."

Deputy Lodge Manager, Tom says, "Photo taken when I was working nights. I love the ambiance of it."

"Why this image?" asks Individual Giving Manager, William; "I love the visual glimpses the gardens give to the usually unseen or unnoticed beauty and tranquillity that they contain. They are a great source of peace and reverence for me, a place to unwind and recalibrate and, which allow, in the words of Blake: to see a World in a Grain of Sand/And a Heaven in a Wild Flower/Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand/And Eternity in an hour."

And the winner was...

Seung-Bin Joo says, "This is the view from my room last year in staircase 23! I like the nostalgia and calmness. The Penrose pattern in the foreground is cool as well."

Congratulations, Seung-Bin Joo!

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