2021 Qtr. 4 Photo Essay

Randy L. Rasmussen & Don Ryan, Quarter 4 Judges

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First Place: Gina Ferazzi, Los Angeles Times

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Migrants Stranded in Mexico: Migrant camps have swelled to the thousands in the dangerous border towns of Reynosa and Matamoros, Mexico as the extension of the Trump pandemic policy continues to bar many migrants from seeking asylum. They pass the time, not knowing when or if they will ever leave the migrant camps. Children pass the time playing soccer on a rough field across from the home they are staying with 36 other asylum-seekers on December 7, 2021 in Matamoros, Mexico.

Asylum Seekers Wait in Mexico

Migrants Stranded in Mexico: Migrant camps have swelled to the thousands in the dangerous border towns of Reynosa and Matamoros, Mexico as the extension of the Trump pandemic policy continues to bar many migrants from seeking asylum. They pass the time, not knowing when or if they will ever leave the migrant camps.Asylum-seeker Maria Jacinto Gomez, 27, of Guatemala, right, sleeps on an air mattress with her 11 year-old son nearby in the crowded gazebo filled with migrants at the Plaza Las Americas migrant tent camp which currently holds 2,000 migrants on December 6, 2021 in Reynosa, Mexico. Gomez and her son have been there for 5 months.

REYNOSA, MEXICO - DECEMBER 6, 2021: Alex Gorman, a worker for the non-profit Sidewalk School, carries a young mute and deaf migrant girl who was in need of medical attention at the Plaza Las Americas migrant tent camp on December 6, 2021 in Reynosa, Mexico.

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REYNOSA, MEXICO - DECEMBER 8, 2021: Haitian migrant Claudia Chery, 36, tastes the stew she’s making over an open flame at the Plaza Las Americas migrant tent camp which currently holds 2,000 migrants on December 8, 2021 in Reynosa, Mexico.

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REYNOSA, MEXICO - DECEMBER 6, 2021: Haitian migrants live in this apartment complex with migrants from Central America and the rent is paid for by the non-profit Sidewalk School run by Felicia Rangel-Samponaro on December 6, 2021 in Reynosa, Mexico. Many Haitians need our be segregated from the general migrant camps because of racism.

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REYNOSA, MEXICO - DECEMBER 6, 2021: Haitian migrants seeking asylum, mingle together at Senda De Vida migrant shelter on December 6, 2021 in Reynosa, Mexico.

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MATAMOROS, MEXICO - DECEMBER 7, 2021: Migrant women and children stay close together as they try and find out how much longer they will have to wait for have their asylum claims heard on December 7, 2021 in Matamoros, Mexico.

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MATAMOROS, MEXICO - DECEMBER 7, 2021: A migrant women is brought to tears as she recalls how she and her children were threatened with kidnapping while staying in a remote shelter with 36 other migrants on December 7, 2021 in Matamoros, Mexico.

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MATAMOROS, MEXICO - DECEMBER 7, 2021: Sitting in a worn out tire, migrant Eduardo Jesus shares phone videos with migrant Isaac Gomez across from the shelter they are staying with 36 other asylum-seekers on December 7, 2021 in Matamoros, Mexico.

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REYNOSA, MEXICO - DECEMBER 6, 2021: Black Mexican-American border activist Felicia Rangel-Samponaro, left, hugs Amarillis Najaro Santa Cruz, 33 from Guatemala, one of her asylum-seeking migrant teachers, at an apartment complex housing other migrants from Central America and Haiti on December 6, 2021 in Reynosa, Mexico. She founded the non-profit Sidewalk School so the children of migrants from Central America and Haiti can learn English and other studies. Her non-profit also pays the rent for the migrants at this apartment complex and others.

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Second Place: Apu Gomes, Freelance

Traffic jam at the Port of Los Angeles

A worker walks close to shipping containers at the Port of Long Beach in Long Beach, California, November 17, 2021. - This morning the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom joined John Porcari, port envoy to the Biden administration's Supply Chain Disruptions TaskForce, legislators and local officials in the Los Angeles Harbor area tohighlight the ongoing state and federal efforts to address port congestion. Congestion at US ports has caused supply chain disruptions, driving up prices and leading to a growing shortage of goods.

Traffic jam at the Port of Los Angeles

Gantry cranes and shipping containers are seen at the Port of Long Beach in Long Beach, California, November 17, 2021. - This morning the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom joined John Porcari, port envoy to the Biden administration's Supply Chain Disruptions TaskForce, legislators and local officials in the Los Angeles Harbor area tohighlight the ongoing state and federal efforts to address port congestion. Congestion at US ports has caused supply chain disruptions, driving up prices and leading to a growing shortage of goods.

Traffic jam at the Port of Los Angeles

Shipping containers are seen at the Port of Long Beach, in Long Beach, California, November 17, 2021. - This morning the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom joined John Porcari, port envoy to the Biden administration's Supply Chain Disruptions TaskForce, legislators and local officials in the Los Angeles Harbor area tohighlight the ongoing state and federal efforts to address port congestion. Congestion at US ports has caused supply chain disruptions, driving up prices and leading to a growing shortage of goods.

Traffic jam at the Port of Los Angeles

The moon and shipping containers are seen inside the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, California, November 17, 2021. - This morning the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom joined John Porcari, port envoy to the Biden administration's Supply Chain Disruptions TaskForce, legislators and local officials in the Los Angeles Harbor area tohighlight the ongoing state and federal efforts to address port congestion. Congestion at US ports has caused supply chain disruptions, driving up prices and leading to a growing shortage of goods.

Traffic jam at the Port of Los Angeles

Gantry cranes are seen unloading the Shipping Container Hyundai Jupiter at the Port of Long Beach in Long Beach, California, November 17, 2021. - This morning the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom joined John Porcari, port envoy to the Biden administration's Supply Chain Disruptions TaskForce, legislators and local officials in the Los Angeles Harbor area tohighlight the ongoing state and federal efforts to address port congestion. Congestion at US ports has caused supply chain disruptions, driving up prices and leading to a growing shortage of goods.

Traffic jam at the Port of Los Angeles

Gantry cranes and shipping containers are seen at the Port of Long Beach in Long Beach, California, November 17, 2021. - This morning the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom joined John Porcari, port envoy to the Biden administration's Supply Chain Disruptions TaskForce, legislators and local officials in the Los Angeles Harbor area tohighlight the ongoing state and federal efforts to address port congestion. Congestion at US ports has caused supply chain disruptions, driving up prices and leading to a growing shortage of goods.

Traffic jam at the Port of Los Angeles

Shipping containers and trucks are seen at the Port of Long Beach in Long BeachTruck is seen inside the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, California, November 17, 2021. - This morning the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom joined John Porcari, port envoy to the Biden administration's Supply Chain Disruptions TaskForce, legislators and local officials in the Los Angeles Harbor area tohighlight the ongoing state and federal efforts to address port congestion. Congestion at US ports has caused supply chain disruptions, driving up prices and leading to a growing shortage of goods.

Traffic jam at the Port of Los Angeles

Truck is seen inside the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, California, November 17, 2021. - This morning the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom joined John Porcari, port envoy to the Biden administration's Supply Chain Disruptions TaskForce, legislators and local officials in the Los Angeles Harbor area tohighlight the ongoing state and federal efforts to address port congestion. Congestion at US ports has caused supply chain disruptions, driving up prices and leading to a growing shortage of goods.

Traffic jam at the Port of Los Angeles

The moon and shipping containers are seen inside the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, California, November 17, 2021. - This morning the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom joined John Porcari, port envoy to the Biden administration's Supply Chain Disruptions TaskForce, legislators and local officials in the Los Angeles Harbor area tohighlight the ongoing state and federal efforts to address port congestion. Congestion at US ports has caused supply chain disruptions, driving up prices and leading to a growing shortage of goods.

Traffic jam at the Port of Los Angeles

Shipping containers are seen at the Port of Long Beach, in Long Beach, California, November 17, 2021. - This morning the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom joined John Porcari, port envoy to the Biden administration's Supply Chain Disruptions TaskForce, legislators and local officials in the Los Angeles Harbor area tohighlight the ongoing state and federal efforts to address port congestion. Congestion at US ports has caused supply chain disruptions, driving up prices and leading to a growing shortage of goods

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Third place:  Jay L. Clendenin, Los Angeles Times

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The return of AFI Fest, a film festival sponsored by the American Film Institute, lit up Hollywood Blvd and the TCL Chinese Theatre, but it came with many COVID-19 safety protocols, namely non-talent around the red carpet wearing masks and most people avoiding a gathering a fans hoping for autographs and photos with the season’s film stars. Hollywood, CA - November 10: June Spencer,6, daughter of cinematographer Alice Brooks, right and Sam Spencer, on the red carpet of the 2021 AFI Fest Opening Night Gala Premiere of Netflix’s, “tick, tick…BOOM!,” at TCL Chinese Theatre, in Hollywood, CA, Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021.

Hollywood, CA - November 13: Actress and director Halle and co-star Shamier Anderson, have a photo taken of them by Anderson’s brother Stephan James, right, on the red carpet of the 2021 AFI Fest Gala Premiere of Netflix’s, “Bruised” at the TCL Chinese Theatre, in Hollywood, CA, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.The film, Halle Berry’s directorial debut, following an aging mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, played by Berry, who accepts an offer to fight the top female MMA fighter, while also dealing with the return of a son she given up for adoption.

Hollywood, CA - November 14: Seen through a tilt-shift lens, tennis legend, Venus Williams, on the red carpet of the 2021 AFI Fest Gala Premiere of, “King Richard,” at the TCL Chinese Theatre, in Hollywood, CA, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021. The film tells the story of Richard Williams, portrayed by Will Smith, and his raising of daughters Venus and Serena into the tennis champions they have become.

Hollywood, CA - November 10: Actor Andrew Garfield and director Lin-Manuel Miranda, on the red carpet of the 2021 AFI Fest Opening Night Gala Premiere of Netflix’s, “tick, tick…BOOM!,” at TCL Chinese Theatre, in Hollywood, CA, Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021.

Hollywood, CA - November 10: Alexandra Shipp takes socially-distant pictures with fans, before the 2021 AFI Fest Opening Night Gala Premiere of Netflix’s, “tick, tick…BOOM!,” at TCL Chinese Theatre, in Hollywood, CA, Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021.

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Hollywood, CA - November 10: The mermain silhouette and polka dot outfit of actress Alexandra Shipp, seen with a tilt-shift lens, on the red carpet of the 2021 AFI Fest Opening Night Gala Premiere of Netflix’s, “tick, tick…BOOM!,” at TCL Chinese Theatre, in Hollywood, CA, Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021.

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Hollywood, CA - November 13: Raina Menné, on the red carpet of the 2021 AFI Fest Gala Premiere of Netflix’s, “Bruised” at the TCL Chinese Theatre, in Hollywood, CA, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. The film, Halle Berry’s directorial debut, follows an aging mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, played by Berry, who accepts an offer to fight the top female MMA fighter, while also dealing with the return of a son she given up for adoption.

Hollywood, CA - November 14: Alexis Olympia Ohanian, Jr., center, strikes a pose, with mom Serena Williams, right and dad Alexis Ohanian, on the red carpet of the 2021 AFI Fest Gala Premiere of, “King Richard,” at the TCL Chinese Theatre, in Hollywood, CA, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021. The film tells the story of Richard Williams, portrayed by Will Smith, and his raising of daughters Venus and Serena into the tennis champions they have become.

Hollywood, CA - November 10: Actress Vanessa Hudgens, left, and director Lin-Manuel Miranda pose for a picture before hitting the red carpet of the 2021 AFI Fest Opening Night Gala Premiere of Netflix’s and director Miranda’s, “tick, tick…BOOM!,” at TCL Chinese Theatre, in Hollywood, CA, Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021.

Hollywood, CA - November 13: Actress and director Halle Berry, with Ted Serandos, chief executive officer (CEO) of Netflix, before walking the red carpet of the 2021 AFI Fest Gala Premiere of Netflix’s, “Bruised” at the TCL Chinese Theatre, in Hollywood, CA, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. Serandos and Netflix played a major role the film industry during the pandemic, sending several big-budget films to their streaming service, either exclusively or with a limited theatrical engagement. “Bruised,” is Halle Berry’s directorial debut, following an aging mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, played by Berry, who accepts an offer to fight the top female MMA fighter, while also dealing with the return of a son she given up for adoption.

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Meet Our Judges, Randy L. Rasmussen & Don Ryan

Randy L. Rasmussen is a career photojournalist, beginning in high school working as a lab-tech and photographer for The Missoulian. From there, he moved to Los Angeles where he worked as a staff photographer for the Orange County Register and then as a staffer for the LA bureau of the Associated Press (and a member of PPAGLA). 

He moved to The Oregonian where he worked in variety of jobs, including staff photographer, magazine photographer/photo editor, news graphics editor, assistant director of photography and acting photo director. He left the paper in 2016, after 35 years, to freelance, which he continues to do occasionally. You can contact him at rlrx@yahoo.com.

Don Ryan spent 35 years as a staff photographer for The Associated Press based in Portland, OR. Ryan also spent three years as staff photographer at the Port Angeles Daily News in Port Angeles, WA and three years as staff photographer at the Gresham Outlook in Gresham, OR. He is now enjoying retirement in King City, OR.

Ryan graduated from Oregon State University in 1976 with a Major in Technical Journalism and Minor in Business Administration. His love of photography and photojournalism began in high school when he developed his first black and white photo and never looked back.