Oklahoma State University students spend a great deal of time on campus in Stillwater, but their life experiences have taken them to all parts of the world. Whether on study abroad trips, family vacations, road trips with friends, or solo adventures, these journeys have enriched the lives of nearly all OSU Cowboys, and have helped give them new perspectives that shape their lives in college and beyond. Cowboys Around the World showcases stunning photographs that capture the locations, cultures, customs, architecture, and other elements of the places our students have visited over the years. From breathtaking landscapes and iconic buildings to vibrant cultural moments, these images provide a window into the beauty and wonder of places around the world that have helped shape the Cowboy family.

Displayed on an 85-inch digital art screen in the heart of the Edmon Low Library’s third floor—where students come together to study, collaborate, and unwind—this exhibit invites everyone to take a journey through the diverse locations where our students have travelled throughout their lives. Photos on the screen change every 15 minutes and include the first name and last initial of the student who took the photo, their hometown, college major, and location where the photo was taken.

All currently-enrolled Oklahoma State University-Stillwater students are eligible to submit images to be featured in Cowboys Around the World. Submissions must meet the following guidelines:

• Images must be original photographs. Images may not be created with AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Midjourney, Firefly, or other similar applications.
• Photos must be original works taken by the student who submits them. A student may not submit a photo that was taken by someone else.
• Photos may be taken with a mobile phone, DSLR/Mirrorless, or any other type of camera.
• We recommend that photos be in horizontal/landscape orientation, not vertical/portrait. For best results when using a mobile phone, hold the device sideways when taking the picture.
  • Vertical photos may be used, but the final image shown on the display will be cropped to fit the horizontal orientation of the frame.
  • If the original photo was taken in a vertical orientation, you may crop it yourself to fit the horizontal display before submitting. Otherwise, our team will be glad to crop the image for you.
• Images of crowds are allowed, as are images of public performances such as outdoor cultural productions or other events that showcase a location or culture that represents the student's home. Selfies, close-up portraits, and similar types of images are not recommended.
• Image copyright is retained by the student who created the photograph.

Students are encouraged to submit multiple photos, but we do ask that each one be distinct and unique. The submission form must be filled out for each image; only one photo may be submitted at a time.

All photographs are reviewed and evaluated by Library personnel, and may be rejected for failing to comply with these guidelines.

Submit a Photo

Students are encouraged to take photographs specifically for this project, but may also use existing images they may already have in their personal photo collection. Ideas for photographs include, but are not limited to...

• Iconic views of local scenery such as sunsets, beaches, or seasonal changes (fall foliage, snow-covered prairies, fields of blooming flowers, etc.). Think of unique geographical features—deserts, coastal cliffs, waterfalls, canyons, or other natural wonders that evoke thoughts of your travels.
• Lakes, rivers, mountains, plains, hills, forests, wetlands, marshes, fields of crops, or local wildlife habitats that are distinctive to places you have visited.
• Architecture that showcases unique elements of a student's journeys such as historic buildings, modern cityscapes, local monuments, bridges, iconic parks, or even residential neighborhoods with distinctive styles.
• Festivals, events, parades, traditional ceremonies, outdoor markets, or other large-scale activities that represent a slice of life or unique cultural element of a particular region or location. These could highlight local dances, sports, or even holiday-specific decorations that are specific to a region.
• Everyday scenes that capture daily life. Photos of people gathering in cafes, farmers' markets, or public transport systems can show unique aspects of community life.
• Street art, murals, and public art. Urban environments often feature creative works that reflect local culture, history, or community identity.
• Famous landmarks, hidden gems, or off-the-beaten-path scenic spots you have come across while journeying across the world.

See our collection example photos for ideas and inspiration.

Please review the Guidelines listed above prior to submitting an image.

Submit a Photo

All photographs submitted for Cowboys Around the World will be evaluated by Library personnel to ensure adherence to the guidelines listed above, and fit within the overall goals for this project. While we encourage students to be creative and use this as a form of self-expression, the images also should reflect the places, culture, and customs of locations that OSU students have visited. Evaluation criteria include:

• Image quality: The photograph must be in focus, and well-composed. Horizons should be straight, and the scene represented should be clearly and easy to understand for a casual viewer.
• Subject: The main subject of the photograph should represent a travel destination. The idea is to showcase locations, cultures, customs, architecture, and other visual representations of a place that a student has visited.
• Fitness for Use: Selfies, abstract artwork, close-up shots of food, images that contain depictions of violence or sensitive material, and images intended to express a political viewpoint will not be accepted.

If you have questions about Cowboys Around the World or would like more information, email libraryhelp@okstate.edu.

Submit a Photo

Creative Commons is a set of licenses that let creators share their work with others while still keeping some rights. Instead of “all rights reserved,” it allows options like letting others use, share, or remix the work as long as they give credit or follow certain rules. Creative Commons licenses are a way to make creative and academic work more open and collaborative. While Creative Commons licenses are not required on images submitted to Cowboys Around the World, OSU students are encouraged to learn more about them using the following resource.