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WASHINGTON (July 17, 2008)—The National Geographic All Roads Film Project has announced its 2008 photography program awardees: Khaled Hasan (Bangladesh), Farzana Wahidy (Afghanistan), Alejandro Chaskielberg (Argentina) and Rena Effendi (Azerbaijan).

They were selected from more than 100 photo essay nominees by an advisory board of photographers, National Geographic magazine photography editors and other field professionals. Their work will be exhibited during the 2008 All Roads Film Festival in Los Angeles (Sept. 25-28), Washington, D.C. (Oct. 2-5), Santa Fe (Dec. 3-7) and at additional venues worldwide.

A native of Dhaka, Bangladesh, Hasan recently completed his advanced diploma in photojournalism from Pathshala, the South Asian Institute of Photography. His photo essay "Living Stone: A Community Losing Its Living Environment" focuses on the area of Jaflong on the Piyain River, near the border of India and Bangladesh, whose inhabitants are struggling with the environmental, political and physical effects of the region's stone-crushing industry.

Under the Taliban's regime in Afghanistan, women were forbidden from pursuing their education. Wahidy secretly attended an underground school in her hometown of Kabul until the fall of the Taliban allowed her to complete high school and enroll in a photography program sponsored by the AÏNA Photojournalism Institute. Since then she has worked as a photojournalist for both Agence France-Presse and The Associated Press. Her photo essay "Afghan Women" explores the enormous pressures and perils faced by the women of her native land, who enjoy far fewer rights today than they did 30 years ago.

Chaskielberg of Buenos Aires, Argentina, began his photojournalism career at age 18 working for local newspapers and magazines. He received a degree in photography from Argentina's National Film Institute and has used his experience in documentary photography to create strong visual representations of his subjects. His photo essay "The High Tide: Native Islanders and the Community of the Paraná River Delta" shows a new culture — with its own laws and codes, a byproduct of unemployment and immigration — that has formed in this unique estuary, with a dense forest full of water and silence.

Hailing from Baku, Azerbaijan, Effendi has been a photographer since 2001. Her work focuses on themes of urbanization, post-conflict societies and the effects of the oil industry on people's lives. She has received several awards and in 2007 was chosen by Photo District News magazine as one of 30 emerging photographers. Her photo essay "Khinaliq Village: A Staircase to the Sky 2003-2006" explores the effects of urbanization on the ancient village of Khinaliq in Azerbaijan, a village whose unique ancient culture is being threatened by the development of a luxury ski resort.

The photography program is part of the All Roads Film Project, which showcases breakthrough films and still photography by and about indigenous and under-represented minority cultures around the globe. To be considered, photographers must be indigenous or under-represented minorities, and their work must document the changing cultures and communities in the country in which they live. Awardees receive cash awards, photography equipment, a new professional Web site and photographic instruction from top editors in their fields — in addition to having their work displayed under the National Geographic banner at premier venues throughout the year. For more information on All Roads, visit www.nationalgeographic.com/allroads.

WASHINGTON (July 15, 2008)—National Geographic readers around the world are invited to take part in the 2008 National Geographic International Photography Contest beginning in August. Readers of National Geographic's English-language editions in Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United States and United Kingdom are eligible to participate, as are readers in 26 local-language editions. The contest was inaugurated in 16 local-language editions in 2006.

English-language-edition entries in three categories — People, Places and Nature — will be judged at National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C. The local-language editions will each submit the winning entries in each category to headquarters to be judged with the winning English-language entries. National Geographic judges will announce three international grand-prize winners in December 2008. The panel of judges will be composed of professional photojournalists, including one from National Geographic.

The contest is open to eligible adult participants. Winning entries from each territory will be featured in local editions of National Geographic magazine. First-place category winners of the English-language-edition competition will win a digital SLR camera kit. The international grand-prize winners will receive a trip to National Geographic headquarters, and their winning entries will be published in the English-language and other editions of National Geographic magazine.

"We are thrilled to continue our annual photography contest," said National Geographic Director of Photography David Griffin. "The work we have been seeing in recent years is truly astounding and speaks to the truth that photography is a world-wide, universal language — one that everyone can appreciate and enjoy."

For English-language-edition contestants, up to a total of six photographs across the three categories should be submitted electronically to ngphotocontest.com. Entries must be received between midnight (12 a.m.) U.S. Eastern Daylight Time on Friday, Aug.1, and
11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Daylight Time on Friday, Oct. 31. Photos can be black-and-white or color, shot with a digital camera or with conventional film, and submitted digitally. For details and official contest rules, visit ngphotocontest.com.

The National Geographic Society is one of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge," the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 300 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; radio programs; films; books; DVDs; maps; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 9,000 scientific research projects and supports an education program combating geographic illiteracy. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com.

WASHINGTON (July 11, 2008)—Readers of National Geographic Kids magazines around the world are invited to take part in the 2008 National Geographic International Photography Contest for Kids this fall. The contest is being conducted in partnership with the U.S. edition, the Afghan children's magazine Parvaz and 16 local-language editions of National Geographic Kids in Bulgaria, Croatia, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Latin America, Montenegro, Netherlands, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

National Geographic Kids, geared toward children ages 6-14, is an interactive, multitopic magazine covering animals, entertainment, science, technology, current events and cultures from around the world. It is now published in 19 editions. The U.S. edition also is available in Canada. Parvaz, the only children's magazine in Afghanistan, is for kids ages 6-14. It was started by famed journalist Reza and is published by Afghan Media Center (AÏNA).

Contestants ages 6-14 may enter the contest by submitting photos in any or all of three categories: People, Animals and Scenery. Each participating local-language edition of the magazine will hold a contest between Aug. 1 and Nov. 3 and will send the winning photographs from each category to National Geographic headquarters for final judging from Dec. 30 to Jan. 6. The local-language-edition winning photographs will be judged alongside the winning English-language-edition photographs at this time. The judges, who will select a grand-prize winner, are National Geographic Kids Editor in Chief Melina Bellows, National Geographic photographer Annie Griffiths Belt and National Geographic Kids photo director Jay Sumner.

Winning entries from each territory will be featured in local editions of National Geographic Kids magazine. The grand-prize winner will receive a trip to National Geographic headquarters. Details and official contest rules can be found at kids.nationalgeographic.com/contests/Photos.

The National Geographic Society is one of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge," the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 300 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; radio programs; films; books; DVDs; maps; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 9.000 scientific research projects and supports an education program combating geographic illiteracy. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. announced the EOS Rebel XS, a new entry-level digital camera that affordably puts Canon SLR technology such as an Optical Imaged Stabilized lens and easy-to-use professional features into the hands of emerging photographers.

The Canon SELPHY CP770 compact photo printer is the cute carry-it-all solution for those looking for a small photo printer for the home or on-the-go.

The new PIXMA iP100 Mobile Printer can address printing needs on-the-go, and deliver high-quality text and graphics.

With its compact and simple to use design, the CP760 makes it easy to print great 4x6 photos and make the most out of a digital camera, and now the whole family can crowd around the printer and easily see images on the new 2.5 inch control screen.

WASHINGTON (June 30, 2008)—National Geographic contributing photographer Maggie Steber will give a group of Lakota teenagers a unique opportunity to document their community at the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota during National Geographic Photo Camp 2008. From Friday, July 11, to Monday, July 14, the high school students, who are active in the SuAnne Big Crow Boys and Girls Club, will photograph, edit and design a portrait of the reservation's environment and culture. The Photo Camp is presented in partnership with the SuAnne Big Crow Boys and Girls Club.

During the four-day workshop, the young photographers will explore Pine Ridge and the surrounding areas, documenting the interests of community members in reconnecting their cultural identity to the natural environment. Steber will brief the students on photographic vision, equipment and technique and guide them through the process of creating a story through photography and writing, working with cameras and laptop computers provided by National Geographic. Steber and Washington Post staff photographer Lois Raimondo will coach the students on the production of a multimedia show and review their work using the photographs as a catalyst for discussion.

"We hope that Photo Camp 2008 will provide students with a unique lens on the world and help expand their awareness of the environment and their impact on it," said Terry Garcia, National Geographic's executive vice president, Mission Programs. "We are honored to participate in this endeavor."

The theme of the Photo Camp is the environment and conservation, and the aim is to draw attention to youth perspectives on their generation's connection to the natural world.

The SuAnne Big Crow Boys and Girls Club provides critically needed services and support for the youth of the Pine Ridge Reservation, including indoor and outdoor recreational facilities, scholarships and programs promoting health and wellness. Founded in 1992 and modeled after the vision and ideals of educational and spiritual growth supported by the late SuAnne Big Crow, the corporation is the first charter of the Boys and Girls Club of America to be established on an Indian reservation. The club serves some 600 young people, ages 7 to 17, and offers a place where they can gain a higher cultural awareness and be safe from drugs, alcohol, violence and gangs.

Pine Ridge Reservation, located in southwest South Dakota, is home to the Oglala Lakota Native American tribe. It is the eighth-largest reservation in the United States.

EVOLT SLR cameras for the Photo Camp have been provided by Olympus Imaging America Inc. Memory cards have been donated to the Photo Camp program by PNY Technologies.

National Geographic Mission Programs also is sponsoring Photo Camps this year in Costa Rica; Rajasthan, India; Chesapeake Bay; Appalachian Trail; Taos, N.M.; Camden, Maine; New York; Santa Monica, Calif.; and Miami, in partnership with VisionWorkshops of Annapolis, Md. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com/photocamp.

A freelance documentary photographer, Steber has traveled, lived and been on assignment around the world. Her work in Haiti earned her two major grants — the Ernst Haas Grant and the Alicia Patterson Foundation Grant for Journalistic Exploration of a Subject — and culminated in the publication of the book "Dancing on Fire: Photographs From Haiti." Steber has won numerous awards and serves as a judge for various photo competitions, including the National Press Photographers Association Pictures of the Year competition.

The National Geographic Society is one of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge," the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 300 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 9,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program combating geographic illiteracy. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com.

WASHINGTON (June 3, 2008)—National Geographic Adventure contributing photographer David Harp will give a group of Baltimore. Md., teenagers a unique opportunity to learn about and document the Chesapeake Bay during National Geographic Photo Camp 2008. From Thursday, June 5, to Sunday, June 8, students from the Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy and the Baltimore School for the Arts will stay on site at Port Isobel, an island educational facility near Tangier Island, Va., where they will photograph, edit and design a portrait of their experiences and the area's natural habitats. This Photo Camp is presented in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

During the four-day workshop, the young photographers will go on assignment with experienced educators from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to document and explore the environment of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Harp and Lelen Robert, director of photography at University of Miami School of Communication, will brief the students on photographic vision, equipment and technique and guide them through the process of creating a story with a multimedia presentation of photographs and words showing ways one can help protect and restore the Bay.

"We hope that Photo Camp 2008 will provide students with a unique lens on the world and help expand their awareness of the environment and their impact on it," said Terry Garcia, National Geographic's executive vice president, Mission Programs. "We are honored to participate in this endeavor."

The theme of the Photo Camp is the environment and conservation, and the aim is to draw attention to youth perspectives on their generation's connection to the natural world.

The Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy provides academic programs for students preparing to enter the fields of science, mathematics and various health care professions. VTTMAA was created in 2004 in a restructuring effort to improve the performance of students previously served by Southwestern High School, with a mission to build a strong academic foundation for Baltimore city students so they can face the challenges of the 21st century.

The Baltimore School for the Arts is a national leader in preparing students for careers in the arts. Since 1979 the school has provided qualified students with intensive training in one of four arts disciplines: the visual arts, music, theatre or dance, in combination with a comprehensive, college preparatory academic program.

EVOLT SLR cameras for the Photo Camp have been provided by Olympus Imaging America Inc. Memory cards have been donated to the Photo Camp program by PNY Technologies.

National Geographic Mission Programs also is sponsoring Photo Camps this year in Costa Rica; Rajasthan, India; Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, S.D.; Appalachian Trail; Taos, N.M.; Camden, Maine; New York; Santa Monica, Calif.; and Miami, in partnership with VisionWorkshops of Annapolis, Md. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com/photocamp.

Harp is an editorial, corporate and stock photographer from Baltimore, Md., whose photographs of the Chesapeake Bay have been published in national magazines and three books. He has produced audio-visual shows and videos for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and other conservation organizations.

The National Geographic Society is one of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge," the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 300 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 8,800 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program combating geographic illiteracy. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation works with citizens throughout the mid-Atlantic region to reduce pollution, restore natural habitats and provide hands-on environmental education. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is working to save a national treasure.

WASHINGTON (May 21, 2008) -- National Geographic contributing photographer Brian Skerry will give 20 students from EcoAcademy charter high school in the Pico Union area of Los Angeles a unique opportunity to document and photograph the 24-hour Santa Monica Mountains BioBlitz later this month.

They will participate in the National Geographic's BioBlitz Photo Camp 2008, to be held from Thursday, May 29, to Sunday, June 1. The photo camp is part of the Santa Monica Mountains BioBlitz, an event hosted by the National Geographic Society and the National Park Service. More than 1,400 students from area schools as well as scientists, naturalists, community leaders and volunteers will observe and document as many plant and animal species as possible in 24 hours, from May 30 to 31, noon to noon, in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, the world's largest urban national park.

Diamond X Ranch will serve as base camp for the intensive four-day Photo Camp workshop, during which Skerry will brief the EcoAcademy students on photographic vision, equipment and technique; accompany them as they venture into the park with scientist-led inventory teams; and guide them through the process of creating a story. The students will chronicle the BioBlitz from set-up through the closing moments, joining scientists and volunteers as they comb the park counting species. Skerry and National Geographic magazine photo editor Laura Lakeway will review the students' work and use their photographs as a catalyst for discussion about young people and the environment.

The theme of the Photo Camp is the environment and conservation, and the aim is to draw attention to youth perspectives on their generation's connection to the natural world.

"We hope that Photo Camp 2008 will provide students with a unique lens on the world and help expand their awareness of the environment and their impact on it," said Terry Garcia, National Geographic's executive vice president, Mission Programs. "We are honored to participate in this endeavor."

EcoAcademy is a charter high school site dedicated to serving at-risk youth from the LA Conservation Corps, a 501(c)(3) private non-profit youth and workforce development organization in Los Angeles. Each year EcoAcademy provides a comprehensive high school diploma program for approximately 100 youth who either dropped out of or were expelled from traditional high schools in the Los Angeles area. With a curriculum that emphasizes environmental awareness, EcoAcademy students are required to carry out community beautification projects in order to graduate.

EVOLT SLR cameras for the Photo Camp have been provided by Olympus Imaging America Inc. Memory cards have been donated to the Photo Camp program by PNY Technologies.

National Geographic Mission Programs also is sponsoring Photo Camps this year in Costa Rica; Rajasthan, India; Chesapeake Bay; Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, S.D.; Appalachian Trail; Taos, N.M.; Camden, Maine; New York and Miami, in partnership with VisionWorkshops of Annapolis, Md.

Skerry, who specializes in underwater photography, has worked for National Geographic magazine since 1998 and has written and photographed several books about the sea. Known for his desire to increase awareness about the fragility of life below the water's surface, Skerry has photographed stories on harp seals, squid and shipwrecks. He lectures worldwide and has received numerous awards for his work.

The National Geographic Society is one of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge," the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 300 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 8,800 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program combating geographic illiteracy. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com.

NEW YORK (May 21, 2008) --National Geographic today launches National Geographic Assignment, an agency representing 27 of the Society's elite photographers available for commercial campaigns. National Geographic Assignment debuts worldwide at www.nationalgeographicassignment.com.

National Geographic Assignment was created in response to market demand for the high-production-value, reportage-style photography that characterizes the work of these 27 diverse talents. The photographers, whose expertise includes portraiture/lifestyle, extreme adventure, travel, studio and macro photography, have extensive experience with high-profile commercial clients. They are William Albert Allard, Stephen Alvarez, Ira Block, John Burcham, Jimmy Chin,
Jodi Cobb, Pablo Corral Vega, Bruce Dale, David Doubilet, Annie Griffiths Belt, Justin Guariglia, Bill Hatcher, Beverly Joubert, Tim Laman, David Liittschwager, Michael Melford, Michael Nichols, Paul Nicklen, Michael O'Brien, Randy Olson, Jim Richardson, Joel Sartore, Brian Skerry, Gordon Wiltsie, Steve Winter, Alison Wright and Mike Yamashita.

"We are thrilled to expand our successful stock photography agency into this exclusive commercial assignment business, after several years of testing the market," said Alice Keating, manager of National Geographic Assignment. "These award-winning shooters possess a diverse range of talent, a unique visual perspective that can only come from experience shooting around the world for National Geographic magazine and a keen understanding of the values that art directors are looking for. It's wonderful to be able to bring such seasoned visual storytellers to the commercial market."

Suzanne Sease and Amanda Sosa Stones, noted experts in the commercial art buying world, served as advisers to the project that resulted in the new National Geographic Assignment Web site, portfolios and collateral material.

For information on commissioning assignments, contact Keating at (202) 857-7237 (akeating@ngs.org) or Sara Snider at (202) 857-7391 (ssnider@ngs.org).

The National Geographic Society owns one of the most comprehensive and unique collections of photographs and original artwork in the world. The Image Collection contains more than 10 million transparencies, black-and-white prints, glass plates and pieces of original art. These images and the services of hundreds of photographers, writers and artists are marketed worldwide by a full-time staff of account representatives.

WASHINGTON (May 19, 2008)—National Geographic contributing photographer Ed Kashi will give a group of Bronx teenagers a unique opportunity to document their borough of New York City during National Geographic's New York Photo Camp 2008. From Friday, May 23, to Monday, May 26, the high school and middle school students will photograph, edit and design a portrait of their Hunts Point community and the efforts of local environmental groups. The students are active in ICP at The Point, a unique collaboration between the International Center of Photography and The Point Community Development Corporation in the Hunts Point section of South Bronx. The Photo Camp is presented in partnership with the ICP.

During the four-day workshop, the young photographers will go on assignment in Hunts Point to document and explore the educational opportunities and conservation efforts led by neighborhood organizations.
Kashi will brief the students on photographic vision, equipment and technique and guide them through the process of creating a story with photographs and words that will challenge their understanding of the part they can play in the environmental movement.

Kashi, along with National Geographic magazine's deputy director of photography Kurt Mutchler and photojournalism students from the ICP, will coach students on the production of a multimedia show and review the students' work using the photographs as a catalyst for discussion.

The theme of the Photo Camp is the environment and conservation, and the aim is to draw attention to youth perspectives on their generation's connection to the natural world.

"We hope that Photo Camp 2008 will provide students with a unique lens on the world and help expand their awareness of the environment and their impact on it," said Terry Garcia, National Geographic's executive vice president, Mission Programs. "We feel honored to participate in this endeavor."

The Point Community Development Corporation is dedicated to youth development and the cultural and economic revitalization of the Hunts Point section of South Bronx. The Point's community programs celebrate and encourage the arts, local enterprise, responsible ecology and self-investment in Hunts Point, an area traditionally defined solely in terms of its poverty, crime rate, poor schools and substandard housing.

Participants, their families and community members are invited to a presentation of the students' work at The Point, 940 Garrison Ave., Bronx, on May 26.

EVOLT SLR cameras for the Photo Camp have been provided by Olympus Imaging America Inc. Memory cards have been donated to the Photo Camp program by PNY Technologies.

National Geographic Mission Programs also is sponsoring Photo Camps this year in Costa Rica; Rajasthan, India; Santa Monica, Calif.; Chesapeake Bay; Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, S.D.; Appalachian Trail; Taos, N.M.; Camden, Maine; and Miami, in partnership with VisionWorkshops of Annapolis, Md.

Kashi, a freelance photographer since 1979, travels the world capturing stunning images of ordinary life in extraordinary communities. He has produced 13 stories for National Geographic magazine, most recently "Curse of the Black Gold: Hope and Betrayal in the Niger Delta," in the February 2007 issue.

The National Geographic Society is one of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge," the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 300 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 8,800 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program combating geographic illiteracy. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com.

Located in the heart of New York City, the International Center of Photography is a world-class museum and school dedicated to exploring the possibilities of the photographic medium through dynamic exhibitions and educational programs. Founded in 1974 as an institution to keep the legacy of "Concerned Photography" alive, the ICP has presented over 500 exhibitions, bringing the work of 3,000 photographers and artists to the public; provided thousands of classes, workshops and educational programs; and collaborated with local schools, community centers, and other cultural institutions to promote the communicative power of photography.

Going into its 11th year, ICP at The Point is the heart of youth photography in New York City. Accessibility to the art of photography is at the core of the program without compromising the quality of instruction. Free classes are offered all year long to youth in the Bronx and are taught by ICP faculty. ICP continues to support the development of these Bronx-based youth photographers as they continue into their adult years through various scholarship and fellowship opportunities.