NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE TO AWARD 3RD ANNUAL PHOTOGRAPHY GRANT

Magazine to target professional photographers in selection process

WASHINGTON (Oct. 27, 2008)—From Nov. 1, professional still photographers can apply for a $50,000 photography grant from National Geographic magazine. Offered for the third year, the grant, part of the magazine's ongoing commitment to documentary photojournalism, will be accompanied by guidance on a project undertaken by the photographer who is selected.

Any professional photographer whose primary source of income is his or her photography is eligible. Applications will be accepted through Feb. 15, 2009. The application process will require a written statement outlining a proposed or current project and examples of the applicant's photography. The work presented should demonstrate an ability to competently photograph the project being undertaken or proposed.

"We will be looking for a photographic project that improves our understanding and appreciation of the unique world in which we live," said David Griffin, NGM's director of photography.

Last year's grantee was Jonas Bendiksen, who is documenting the population explosion in Chongqing, a city in western China. The 2006 grantee, Eugene Richards, has covered people profoundly affected by the conflict in Iraq.

For complete details about the photography grant, rules and application, visit ngm.com/photogrant.

National Geographic magazine has a long tradition of combining on-the-ground reporting with award-winning photography to inform people about life on our planet. In 2008 it won three National Magazine Awards, for General Excellence, Photojournalism and Reporting. In 2007 it won two National Magazine Awards, for General Excellence and Photography. Its Web site won a 2008 Webby Award for best magazine Web site.

The magazine is the official journal of the National Geographic Society, one of the world's largest nonprofit educational and scientific organizations. Published in English and 31 local-language editions, the magazine has a global circulation of around 8 million. It is sent each month to National Geographic members and is available on newsstands for $4.95 a copy. Single copies can be ordered by calling (800) NGS-LINE, also the number to call to apply for membership in the Society. The magazine's Web site is at NGM.nationalgeographic.com.