Annie Leibovitz Faces Backlash Over Sepia Filter in Mexico Soccer Photos

Annie Leibovitz is facing criticism on Instagram for using a sepia-toned filter on a photo of Mexican soccer players Raul Jimenez, Johan Vasquez, and Julian Quinones, part of her exhibition 'Futbol 2026' at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City. The image, shot at sunset, shows the players on a dusty field, but its yellow tint drew accusations of racism, with commenters like Adam Gil, Marla, and Dominic Grijalva calling out the 'Mexican filter.' In contrast, photos of Canadian and U.S. players featured neutral colors. The 'Mexican filter' trope, popularized by films like Steven Soderbergh's 'Traffic' (2000) and the TV series 'Breaking Bad,' has been criticized for degrading poorer countries, a practice sometimes called 's***hole color grading.' The third season of 'The White Lotus' also faced similar backlash for its yellow tinge in Thailand. Defenders noted the natural golden hue of sunset. The exhibition runs until August 30.