Many college students have dreams of journeying overseas, soaking up local color in beautiful, exotic locations and taking a glimpse of the world from a different angle. However, few students actually have the opportunity to fulfill these aspirations. Glynnis Ritchie is one of the few talented artists who took the road less traveled and spent eight months in Europe studying abroad, using her visionary skills to peer at a whole new world through the lens of her camera.Glynnis Ritchie

Ritchie, a New College student concentrating on art history and photography, was ecstatic when she was first faced with the prospect of studying abroad. Although she was familiar with the French language and fascinated with France’s culture and customs, she still avidly thirsted for knowledge and tangible experience.“… Immersing myself in the culture and learning the language were my top priorities," Ritchie gushed about her plans for Europe. "All the museums, friends, travel, art, food, etc. were a bonus."

During Ritchie's first semester, she was in large part able to plan her group’s travel itinerary. Ever the driven, creative schemer, she focused chiefly on visiting less touristic destinations, and instead voyaged eagerly off the beaten path into the heart of some spectacular places. Prague, Istanbul, Ireland and Bosnia were just a few of the majestic countries that she captured beautifully on film.

Ritchie said the splendor of Oia, Santorini opened her eyes to myriad photographic possibilities. “It was incredible to visit a place I'd seen in photographs for so long and to be able to make my own.”

The island of Santorini is essentially the remains of enormous volcanic eruptions, so its spectacular beauty is an incomparable act of nature, and completely inimitable. Luckily, those of us who might not ever see it in person can rely on adventurous photographers like Ritchie to visually document such breath-taking images.

When asked how Ritchie's background and interest in art history influenced her focus while traveling, she delivered an unexpected response. Instead of quoting dates and pieces that most inspire her, she gave a genuine statement that summed up her motivation in the art of photography itself: “The drive to photograph while traveling seems more centered on memory and exploration of a physical space. It's also interesting to consider who will look at those photographs fifty years from now when they are yellowing in a photo album somewhere.”

Looking out, Oia

Ritchie's passion in travel photography stems from the kindred love of picture making shared by artists far and wide. Her photos are not just aesthetically captivating, but represent a connection with history and those who have photographed the wonders of the world before her, as well as those who continue to contribute. For Ritchie, what began as a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the traditions and language of another land, resulted in thousands of provocative awe-inspiring pieces of photography.

Glynnis Ritchie’s international photography deserves to be in the community spotlight, so it can continue to inspire and delight art lovers everywhere; therefore TMi has devoted a gallery entirely to her trek across Europe, derived from her flickr account (http://flickr.com/photos/glynnis). By viewing this gallery in the photography section of our Web site, you can live vicariously through these pictures - which vividly file her journeys chronologically.

To view Ritchie's journey on The Missing Ink, please visit the photography section and the Glynnis Ritchie photo gallery.

by Lauren Breland