Julián Cardona (photojournalist)

Julián Cardona (18 August 1960 – 21 September 2020) was a Mexican photojournalist who was known for documenting poverty and violence in the city of Ciudad Juárez.

Raised by his grandparents, and with only a ninth grade education, he taught himself to use a camera professionally by age twenty.

He co-authored many newspaper and magazine articles along with several books, including Juarez: The Laboratory of Our Future and Exodus/Exodo, both with journalist Charles Bowden.

[1][2][3][5][4][7] Cardona was considered to be one of the most important photographers documenting the economic challenges and criminal drug-related violence in Mexico along the U.S. border, especially in Ciudad Juárez.

[2][3][5][4] His photographs were sometimes criticized for their graphic portrayal of violence, including torture, rape, and murder victims.