Romaisa Hashmi knows that long after a photograph is taken, a skilled photographer can change its meaning and message with the right tools and software.

Using her skills, the Dartmouth High School photography student’s transformed photograph earned her a spot in the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Emerging Young Artists exhibition.

In class, she created her original photograph, “Bliss,” during an assignment working with color. She captured three of her fellow students as a mist of colored chalk flew through the air. Although colorful, her eyes were drawn to the intensity of the photo.

“When I first looked at all the color it did look a lot like an explosion to me,” Hashmi said.

She took the photo and stripped it of color. The black-and-white effect helped her draw out the contrast between the smoke and people, and produced a greyish effect. It created a whole new piece she named “Flight.”

It was her effort to convey the chaos and uncertainty in today’s world, and the positivity that still exists through it all.

“Even in stressful times we can still be happy and we can still find good,” Hashmi said.

With the encouragement of her teacher, Susan Brunette, she submitted the photo for inclusion in the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s Emerging Young Artists exhibition.

The exhibition is notoriously competitive, with more than 800 entries received this year, according to Elena Peteva, who organized the gallery. Each piece of artwork was judged, and only 67 were chosen.

“This was the most competitive we’ve had so far,” Peteva said, adding the competition has been held for the past six years.

Out of about 16 entries from the Dartmouth High School, Hashmi’s was the only to make it.

“I didn’t think I would get in, so that was a big surprise,” Hashmi said.

Hashmi’s photograph received an honorable mention at the conclusion of the exhibition.