Farewells can have a bittersweet way of making you feel happy and sad at the same time.
Around the U.S., thousands of freshmen are in the process of packing up for college, excited by the prospect of starting a new life away from their childhood homes. At Mashable HQ, we'll be saying our fair share of goodbyes soon as some of our summer interns head back home, ready to start a new job or resume classes.
Storytellers have long known and used the poignant power of departures. Admit it: You won't ever forget the three-hanky scene of Andy giving away Woody and the gang to his neighbor in Toy Story 3, or Carl and Ellie's tearjerking love story in Up. "Here's looking at you, kid" wouldn't have had the same impact in Casablanca had Rick and Ilsa stayed together in the end.
But not all departures are gloomy. You could be leaving a ratty old apartment and moving into a bright, spacious one. You could be looking forward to going home to see family and friends after a long trip abroad. Or you could be packing up and getting ready to start on an exciting new adventure, such as a new job.
Feel free to interpret departures however you wish. And whether you're shooting on a cellphone or a DSLR, all photos are welcome. Send us your best shots of departures -- we'd love to see how you choose to capture the essence of saying goodbye in a photo.
How to Enter the Challenge
Tweet a photo that symbolizes departures to @mashablehq with the hashtag #MashPics. If you need more than one tweet to write your caption, just send us another tweet. OR
Drop your photo into the picture widget below.
Submit your photo by Tuesday, Aug. 21 at 5:00 p.m. EST. We will choose some of the top images based on composition, originality and overall appeal. These pictures will be featured on Mashable, as well as on our Facebook and Pinterest pages.
Images courtesy of Nina Frazier.