In her groundbreaking work On Photography , essayist Susan Sontag posited, "A photograph is not an opinion. Or is it?" She was kind of a tricky dame that way. So is photography simply the capturing of a moment, or is it the creation of it? Don’t look at us; we got nothing. Instead, look at the work submitted by Alibi readers to our annual snapshot shindig. Hundreds of people sent in photos that ranged from documentarian to highfalutin digital manipulations, and we loved it. We also got to learn a few things about you people and the things you love, specifically sunsets, babies and the BioPark. If someone ever manages to combine all three, we might just have to retire this thing. Thanks to the judges panel, including Nick Brown, Christie Chisholm, Laura Marrich and Simon McCormack, for whittling down the massive amount of photographic splendor to the gems you see here. Also, many thanks to our gracious sponsors for their donations toward the winners’ prizes: Duke City Derby (dukecityderby.com), Gold Street Caffè (218 Gold SW, 765-1633), Guild Cinema (3405 Central NE, 255-1848), Independence Grill (6910 Montgomery NE, 837-2874), Old Town Pizza Parlor (108 Rio Grande NW, 999-1949), Outpost Performance Space (210 Yale SE, 268-0044) and Taj Palace (1435 Eubank NE, 296-0109).Kudos to this year’s winners and honorable mentions, as well as to everyone who took the time to send in their work. Several pieces will be making it into our permanent collection. Winning photographers can pick up their prizes at the Alibi’s front desk at 413 Central NW, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Or for other arrangements, please e-mail the Arts section at erin@alibi.com. Click here to see more photos that wowed us.
First Place
A true portrait of a part of Albuquerque, with no adobe walls in sight. For his insight, Cassel makes off with a $25 gift certificate to Independence Grill, a voucher good for $10 worth of pie at Old Town Pizza Parlor, two passes to the Duke City Derby, two passes good at Guild Cinema and tickets for two at an Outpost Performance Space event.
Second Place
We loved this shot of a young boy, quietly resting after performing a traditional dance in the Pit. Muy Nuevo Mexico. As our second-place winner, Begay receives a $20 certificate to Taj Palace. She’ll also get to take a friend to the Duke City Derby, Guild Cinema and Outpost Performance Space with the two passes she gets to each.
Third Place
Called "Orange Snow" by the judges, we thought it was pretty, until the question of the lone chair raised a whole other set of issues. Then we liked it even more. Spicer’s award for instigating metaphysical philosophizing includes a $20 cert to Gold Street Caffè and two passes to both the Duke City Derby and the Guild.
Honorable Mention
On The Cover
It’s hard to think that there’s anything artistic about a Westside commute, but Haass’ photo of PNM’s generator at Paseo del Norte and Jefferson has us rethinking this. For his industrial acumen, Haass receives a $10 gift certificate to Old Town Pizza Parlor, two Duke City Derby passes and two tickets good at the Guild.
