In one of her photos Amanda Wise is wrapped in a feather boa and holding a white theatrical mask. She stares directly out with calm eyes. It's typical of her vivid and engaging style of photography.

Wise's Moods of Contemplation, on exhibit in the wooden cases next to the HUB Gallery today through Jan. 16, is a collection of her photos emphasizing thought, an aspect of life that Wise believes essential.

"The pieces show the everyday contemplation that we go through in our lives," she said.

"Contemplation of religion, contemplation of vanity, contemplation of pride, contemplation of self. I think it's relevant to every person," she added.

Inspiration for the independent collection came directly from Wise's own experiences and realizations.

"I was going through a certain time period in my life in which I had the concept (for the collection), and I worked the concept with the pieces," she said. "Each piece is a photo; there was no manipulation afterward."

Through Moods of Contemplation, Wise hopes to challenge the thoughts and ideas of viewers. "I want to open their minds to something different," she said. "Say that maybe they shouldn't look at things as good or bad ... (I want to) make them think."

Wise's interest in photography began as a hobby in high school and eventually became her college major. "It grew from there into what I do as a career," she said. The Penn State graduate is now pursuing a career integrating photography and graphic design.

To view Wise's photography portfolio, visit www.personal.psu.edu/anw112/.