Photographs by nearly 40 Vermont high school students are on display at the Vermont Photo Space Gallery in Essex.

The exhibit, called Within the Frame, includes 50 photographs by high school photographers across the state. Essex photography teacher Wendy James organized the show, which opened Wednesday.

“For the most part, it’s just the usual scene in an unusual way,” James said. “The subject matter isn’t what makes the photos stand out, it’s something about the viewpoint or the focus…it’s the little decisions students make.”

Local photographer and graphic designer Jason Robinson juried the show, choosing the photos from more than 200 submissions, with no names attached to them. 

In a statement, Robinson wrote that he judged photos based on substance, composition, use of space, focus, lighting and “the emotional connection.” Along with Robinson’s strict critique guideline, he wrote that he “did allow (his) selections to be tinted with a new value, the quality of youth— this young artistic vocabulary is a blend of excitement, novelty and optimism.”

 “It’s a great opportunity for these youngsters to get some exposure,” said Ken Signorello, Vermont Photo Space Gallery curator.

Signorello said he was impressed with the quality of the work.

“I think we have a lot of really interesting development happening in these arts,” he said. “A lot of the stuff is really quite good.”

The photos will be on display at Vermont Photo Space until Nov. 12. Then, they will be moved to Shelburne Farms for a one-night exhibit during The Party At The Barn, a fundraiser for neuroblastoma.

To see all of the photos, visit www.vermontphotospace.com.