JIM STEIN STILL OWNS THE OLYMPUS OM-2 his parents bought him as a kid. For more than 35 years, he’s toted the single-lens, 35-millimeter camera with him, while growing up in Los Alamos, attending college in Arizona, working in Washington, D.C., and since returning to live in the Land of Enchantment in 1999.

“It opened up a huge window for me in terms of creativity,” says Stein, who captured the grand prize and a first-place award in the 22nd annual New Mexico Magazine Photography Contest. “Photography was a good escape.”

As he became more serious, Stein drew inspiration from classical painters—especially the Hudson River School artists—and the atmospheric elements of their work. For Sunset Storm, he spent the afternoon hiking and taking pictures in the Valles Caldera National Preserve under gray skies and rumbles of thunder. Just as he was leaving, a break in the clouds appeared. “I decided to take in the scenery and watch this storm roll through,” he says.

So even in a place where Stein feels deeply connected to the land and the quirks of the weather, a little luck shined down on him. Similar magic can be found in images that capture the energy of the grand entry at the Gathering of Nations, the grace of a white-lined sphinx moth as it flies to a Rocky Mountain bee plant, and the stoicism of a boy on his lowrider bicycle.

Since we waived the entry fee in celebration of our 100th anniversary, this year’s contest attracted more than 2,400 submissions from over 700 amateur photographers (those who earn no more than 50 percent of their income through photography). Choosing the best of the best was tough. Six judges blind-selected 20 top photos each in the six categories. Those were winnowed to a group of finalists, which were then ranked by each judge. The top overall scores determined the winners, with individual photographers allowed to place only once per category.

The 31 honorees will be featured at the Tularosa Basin Gallery of Photography, in Carrizozo. More than 8,400 online votes in our inaugural People’s Choice Award determined Bridget Harrington’s Marisa, a portrait of a traditional curandera in Albuquerque’s South Valley, as the readers’ favorite. Thanks to our sponsors, the winners also receive some fantastic prizes.

Warren Malkerson, a contest judge and co-owner of the Tularosa Basin Gallery, was especially impressed by the Nightscapes and Landscapes categories. “They made me feel like our state is attached to the universe and the Milky Way,” he says. “We just meld into the sky.”

That’s just one of many reasons why it’s important to always keep your camera handy here. “Light is everything in New Mexico,” adds Stein. “Obviously, the landscape is unique. But you need the light in a certain way that New Mexico offers. I don’t know of another place that you can combine the light and the landscape that we have.”

GRAND PRIZE WINNER

Sunset Storm, (above), Jim Stein

“I grew up in Los Alamos so the Valles Caldera is a special place for me. When I went away to college and then while living in Washington, D.C., I’d come home to visit, and that was the first place I’d want to see because it felt like home.” —Jim Stein

Recalling the Santa Fe, Ann Walton

NEW MEXICO EXPERIENCE: 1ST PLACE

Recalling the Santa Fe, Ann Walton

The Stare Down, Bobby Gutierrez

PEOPLE: 1ST PLACE

The Stare Down, Bobby Gutierrez

"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 lowrider 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." —Bobby Gutierrez

Evening Light, Jim Stein

LANDSCAPES: 1ST PLACE

Evening Light, Jim Stein

"A clearing storm at White Sands National Park."–Jim Stein

New Mexico 2022, Ryle Yazzie

MOBILE: 1ST PLACE

New Mexico 2022, Ryle Yazzie

"A friend and I decided to take a mushroom growing class provided by NMFungi. Towards the end of class, Estevan, the owner, brought out different specimens of mycelium mushrooms. The mushrooms he brought out were at the end stages of fruiting and ready to puck and cook. There were golden oysters, black pearls, and blue oysters. It was the blue oysters that immediately caught my attention. The blue oysters fruiting reminded me of trumpets or an orchestra. It was nature's grand stage in such a small form. I didn’t have the normal professional camera equipment I normally carry, but I had my iPhone. Estevan carried on with the class introducing other specimens, but I stood over the blue oysters gazing and studying. I was hypnotized by nature's architect, structure, and mycelium’s gills and caps as the class continued. I took the photo keeping the idea of structure, architecture, trumpets, and orchestra in mind." —Ryle Yazzie

Extraterrestrial, Paul Schmit

NIGHTSCAPES: 1ST PLACE

Extraterrestrial, Paul Schmit

"New Mexico isn’t particularly full of landscape photography icons despite endlessly diverse and beautiful terrain, which I actually consider a blessing that keeps foot traffic manageable on our public lands. Of course, we do have White Sands, and we also have some of the most jaw-dropping badlands in the world. Over the summer, I spent a weekend in one of these badlands exploring the densest cache of exotic rock formations I’ve ever seen. And, tucked away within this surprisingly compact, foreground-rich paradise, resides this unmistakable icon.

I had other ideas for this evening—other compositions calling my name at less-explored sites. I was haunted by the beauty of this formation but understood its omnipresence in the desert landscape genre. What ultimately pulled me back to this scene was a nugget of wisdom from my friend and companion that weekend, who noted the cracks running through the fragile sedimentary structures supporting the regal capstone, the fractured stubs from which additional pillars used to emanate. By the forces of nature or perhaps just some careless human, this hoodoo will eventually topple. So, when that day comes to pass, I’ll be grateful I spent the wee hours one June morning paying homage to its otherworldly grace against the vast splendor of the night sky." —Paul Schmit

Sunset at Bernardo, Aaron LewisANIMALS: 1ST PLACE

Sunset at Bernardo, Aaron Lewis

"Spring is almost here and the Sandhill Cranes are on their journey north." —Aaron Lewis

Marisa, Bridget Harrington

PEOPLE'S CHOICE

Marisa, Bridget Harrington

CATEGORY WINNERS

  • New Mexico Experience
  • People
  • Landscapes
  • Mobile
  • Nightscapes
  • Animals

A PRIZE FOR THE PEOPLE!

All contestants were entered into a random drawing. Five will receive a $25 gift certificate to Bosque Brewing and five will receive a $25 gift certificate to Restoration Pizza.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE

Selected via online voting, this winner will receive a $125 gift certificate to Bosque Brewing and a $125 gift certificate to Restoration Pizza.

GRAND PRIZE

Ten club seat tickets to a New Mexico United game, four New Mexico United official jerseys, $200 gift certificate to Bosque Brewing, $200 gift certificate to Restoration Pizza, $200 gift certificate to the Hatch Chile Store

CATEGORY PRIZES

NIGHTSCAPES:

  • 1st place: Wayne Suggs Photography Workshop ($500 value), two reserve tickets to a New Mexico United game, $50 gift certificate to Bosque Brewing, $50 gift certificate to Restoration Pizza, $50 gift certificate to the Hatch Chile Store
  • 2nd place: $100 gift certificate to Bosque Brewing, $100 gift certificate to Restoration Pizza, $50 gift certificate to the Hatch Chile Store
  • 3rd place: $25 gift certificate to Bosque Brewing, $25 gift certificate to Restoration Pizza, one-year subscription to New Mexico Magazine, 2023 Enchanting New Mexico Calendar, 2023 Artist Calendar
  • Honorable Mention: One-year subscription to New Mexico Magazine, 2023 Enchanting New Mexico Calendar, 2023 Artist Calendar

PEOPLE, NEW MEXICO EXPERIENCES, LANDSCAPES, MOBILE, and ANIMALS:

  • 1st place: Two reserve tickets to a New Mexico United game, two New Mexico United official jerseys, $150 gift certificate to Bosque Brewing, $150 gift certificate to Restoration Pizza, $100 gift certificate to the Hatch Chile Store
  • 2nd place: $100 gift certificate to Bosque Brewing, $100 gift certificate to Restoration Pizza, $50 gift certificate to the Hatch Chile Store
  • 3rd place: $25 gift certificate to Bosque Brewing, $25 gift certificate to Restoration Pizza, one-year subscription to New Mexico Magazine, 2023 Enchanting New Mexico Calendar, 2023 Artist Calendar
  • Honorable mention: One-year subscription to New Mexico Magazine, 2023 Enchanting New Mexico Calendar, 2023 Artist Calendar

THE JUDGES

  • Steve Gleydura, editor in chief, New Mexico Magazine
  • Warren Malkerson, co-owner, Tularosa Basin Gallery of Photography
  • Gabriella Marks, vice chair, American Society of Media Photographers
  • John McCauley, art and photography director, New Mexico Magazine
  • Wayne Suggs, freelance photographer and former grand prize winner
  • Bryce Turner, graphic designer, New Mexico Department of Tourism

 

2023 Photo contest sponsor logos

Thank you to our generous sponsors: New Mexico United, Restoration PizzaBosque Brewing Wayne Suggs PhotographyThe Hatch Green Chile Store.

SEE FOR YOURSELF

For the seventh consecutive year, Tularosa Basin Gallery of Photography, in Carrizozo, will host an exhibit featuring the winners. The opening weekend, January 27–29, includes artist appearances and refreshments. As the largest photo gallery in the state, Tularosa Basin Gallery features the work of more than 35 New Mexico photographers Friday through Sunday and by appointment. photozozo.org