Spotlight Photographer wins Mesilla Photo contest

On September 15^th, Spotlight News own photographer and reporter, Ricky J. Carrasco, won first place in a photography exhibition in Mesilla, New Mexico.  Denise Chavez, director of the Border Book Festival and the Cultural Center de Mesilla, announced the winners of the “Mexico Lindo y Querido” exhibition, that were chosen by a juried panel of judges.  “The photos are a moving testimony to a country, a people and its traditions.  The BBF hopes to continue the show next year as well, involving more students and featuring more exchange with Mexican photographers and photography groups,” says Chavez. There were 17 participants from El Paso, Mesilla, Juarez and Palomas that were allowed 2 photos each. 2^nd place went to Francisco “Pako” Servin from Juarez, 3^rd place went to Charlie Mayer from El Paso.

Rick Carrasco says that Juarez has always been near and dear to his camera. “I still photograph in Juarez when it’s possible. I know it gets a bad rap. With my photography, I want to show that good people, honest and hardworking, still exist in Juarez. They are definitely the majority, but they are defenseless.”  For the show, Carrasco chose his black and white piece “Mazatzin” that shows an Aztec dancer striking a classic archer pose in the Plazita in downtown Juarez.  “The people and the culture is what makes Mexico. Over the last few years, an impotent government and a large criminal element has gotten the headlines, but people like Mazatzin is what more people should celebrate.”

“Mazatzin” and the rest of the photographs in the exhibition will be on display at Galeria Tepin, 2220 Calle de Parian in Mesilla, New Mexico, until mid-October. If you would like to see more of Carrasco’s photography, it can be seen at his website: www.ximenace.zenfolio.com