1st in Landscape, Jim Stein
A clearing storm at White Sands National Park
Evening Light, White Sands National Park
A quick trip to southern New Mexico would not have been complete without visiting this magical place. I arrived on the dunes right after a heavy thunderstorm. It was dark with very little light but I held out hope that I would be able to get some photos in before nighttime. Luckily the clouds lifted, which provided a neat atmosphere. I could not have asked for better conditions.
3rd Place People, Shannon Stevens,
Two Laguna Pueblo girls, being girls.
This photo was taken at Laguna Pueblo this summer. I was photographing the young sisters and gave them some bubble gum. As they got comfortable, the stoic went away and the silliness showed up. The joy of kids being kids.
1st Place People: Bobby Gutierrez, The Stare Down
This photo was taken in the Barelas neighborhood of Downtown Albuquerque during a cruise night where local Custom Car Clubs line Fourth Street with beautifully detailed cars, motorcycles, and bicycles. I was walking near the center of the road and noticed this young man riding his Low-rider Bicycle with numerous motorcycles behind him. I decided to use the motorcycle lights to add drama to the scene. As you can see his stare was not impacted by me or my camera. I was born and raised in New Mexico and I have been documenting custom car culture and other cultural celebrations since I was a teenager as a participant and photographer.
Honorable Mention, Pam Dorner
American Kestrel surrounded by shimmering leaves of gold bokeh at Bosque del Apache NWR. Many people know Bosque del Apache for sandhill cranes, snow geese, eagles and beautiful landscapes. The refuge also has many amazing smaller birds that call the refuge home such as the American Kestrel. The American Kestrel is the smallest falcon in North America. Many times it will hunt by sitting on a perch and scanning the ground for prey. What caught my eye was the way the fall leaves in the background formed a golden bokeh around this colorful raptor.
