Olympus Challenges Students To Capture “Your World” In Second Annual Photographers Of Tomorrow Contest

Prizes Include Olympus E-System Equipment and $5,000 Scholarship; Pro Photographers Critique Images, Public Vote Included for First Time

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., October 20, 2008 – Olympus today announced its second annual Photographers of Tomorrow contest, designed to inspire students enrolled in top photography programs. Under this year’s theme “YOUR WORLD: The Art of Technology Through Your Eyes,” students are encouraged to identify the innovation or technology that has had the greatest impact in their life and capture its beauty.

Starting today through February 28, 2009, students at participating universities can submit images at www.olympusamerica.com/yourworld. Participating schools include: Academy of Art University San Francisco, Art Institute of Colorado, Brooks Institute, Hallmark Institute of Photography, Maine Media College, Pellissippi State Technical Community College, Rochester Institute of Technology, Texas A&M University at Commerce, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, University of Missouri – Columbia, and University of Texas – Austin.

“The Photographers of Tomorrow contest is a way for the next generation of pro photographers to showcase their work nationally, build their portfolios, and be recognized by their peers and critiqued by some of the world’s most accomplished photographers,” said John Knaur, senior marketing manager, Digital SLR, Olympus Imaging America Inc.

Images will be judged by a panel of three award-winning Olympus Visionary photographers: Larry Price, Maki Kawakita and Nick Kelsh. Submissions will be judged on four criteria: originality, photographic quality, composition and appropriateness (each valued at 25 percent). Students may submit up to four images. Images must be taken with an Olympus E-System digital SLR (single lens reflex) camera. Complete rules and regulations are available at www.olympusamerica.com/yourworld.

A grand prize winner will receive a $5,000 scholarship and an Olympus E-3 camera, ED 12-60mm f2.8/4.0 SWD Zoom lens, ED 50-200mm f2.8/3.5 SWD Zoom lens and gadget bag. The student’s professor will also receive a matching Olympus E-3 outfit. Finalist images will be posted online for “public voting” from March 31 through April 30, 2009. The winner of the public vote will receive an Olympus E-520 kit. The grand prize and public vote winners will be announced in May 2009.

The Olympus E-System is designed with revolutionary features that expand the frontiers of digital photography. Based on the Four Thirds Standard, Olympus offers 100 percent digital lenses for edge-to-edge sharpness in a durable, yet portable design. Olympus pioneered Full-Time Live View, Dust Reduction and other technologies for DSLRs, leading where others have followed.

ABOUT THE JUDGES

* Larry Price – A two time Pulitzer Prize Winning Photojournalist, Price has published photographs in Time, Newsweek, U.S. News and World Report, and National Geographic among others and has worked as an industry leading photojournalist and a photo editor at many of the country’s top newspapers and newswires.

* Maki Kawakita – A rising star in the global photographic scene and known for her “Kabuki Pop” style, Kawakita divides her time between celebrity portraiture, commercial work and a personal series she calls “Makirama.” She has photographed numerous celebrities and pop and style icons including Beyoncé, Missy Elliott, Hillary Duff and many more. Kawakita’s Japanese, American and European influences shape her style and creativity, making her one of America’s most coveted fashion photographers.

* Nick Kelsh – One of the world’s top photographers, shooting for many of the “Day in the Life” series of books, and a renowned family and commercial photographer, Kelsh has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and has written numerous best-selling books including Siblings with Anna Quindlen and How to Photograph Your Baby. Kelsh is best known for his radiant, engaging, black and white images of children and babies.

ABOUT THE OLYMPUS VISIONARY PROGRAM

Established by Olympus Imaging America Inc. in partnership with some of today's most talented photographers, the Olympus Visionary program is dedicated to creating superb digital images with the help of Olympus' digital cameras and lenses. Olympus Visionaries span all fields of photography and work in a diversity of styles and subject matter, but they are united in realizing their creative vision through digital photography. The Visionaries use Olympus digital cameras in their daily assignments and personal work; participate in speaking engagements and appearances; and provide Olympus with input into equipment development. The Visionaries include several Pulitzer Prize-winning and Magnum photographers, as well as internationally-renowned photographers who have photographed assignments around the world.

For more information about the “Photographers of Tomorrow” contest, Olympus Visionaries or Olympus products, contact Charles Leone, Mullen Public Relations, 212-885-3803 or Charles.leone@mullen.com, or Jennifer Lyons, public relations manager, Olympus Imaging America Inc., 3500 Corporate Parkway, Center Valley, PA 18034, ph: (484) 896-5350 / (800) 622-6372 or the Olympus Web site: http://www.olympusamerica.com.

Source: Olympus