A Stunning Photography Book Chronicling International Medical Corps' 25-Year History

International Medical Corps and Three Hawks Press have released "A Thousand Words: Photos from the Field," a stunning coffee table photography book documenting the humanitarian crises to which we have responded in the last quarter century.

Written and edited by Stacy Twilley and with a Foreword by CNN Chief International Correspondent Christiane Amanpour, the book is a collection of award-winning images chosen by renowned Los Angeles museum curators and noted collectors including Mario Testino, Richard Gere, and Anjelica Huston that show International Medical Corps' long-term commitment to healing, training, and self-reliance.

"I first became aware of the extraordinary work International Medical Corps was doing after the tsunami in Indonesia," Twilley said. "I started volunteering with International Medical Corps and that's when I discovered their archive of more than 10,000 photographs. The images were extraordinary. Some were taken by famous photographers and others by aid workers in the midst of crisis. I realized that I had stumbled onto an unprecedented account of history."

The book was more than two years in the making. Those involved worked on a pro bono basis–donating their time, talent, photographs, and in some cases, dollars. "I think the result is an incredibly compassionate and remarkably moving photography book that raises awareness for an organization we passionately believe in," said Twilley.

While the images captured in the book reveal the devastation of war, famine and natural disaster, they also are a testament to the power of compassion, strength and innovation in helping people recover from crisis and rebuild their lives.

"I have witnessed some of our generation's worst human tragedies–and the remarkable resilience of the human spirit," said Nancy Aossey, President & CEO of International Medical Corps. "Each photograph in this book is a profound reminder of the incredible journey of International Medical Corps, and the exceptional efforts of our colleagues who have cared for hundreds of millions of people in these fragile, often dangerous environments."

"A Thousand Words: Photos from the Field" is available at Amazon.com (http://tiny.cc/1000words) and makes thoughtful gift for all those with a compassionate humanitarian spirit.

Net proceeds from the book sales will be donated to International Medical Corps. More information and a preview of the images can be seen at http://www.imcworldwide.org/Page.aspx?pid=736.

Somerset Photographers Create the Art of Science

Most people would struggle to name more than one or two living British scientists. Thanks to Somerset-based professional photographers Anita Corbin and John O'Grady this could be about to change. Portraits of nine British scientists, commissioned by The British Council and taken by Anita and John, have recently been acquired by The National Portrait Gallery, London for its Collection and will be displayed for the first time from 26 August 2009 to 17 January 2010.

Anita Corbin from Corbin O'Grady Studio in Wellington, explains, “The colour portraits were taken in 1989 for the series “Science in Profile" commissioned by The British Council. The pictures were taken by my partner John O'Grady and me over a three month period. There were 24 in total and the resulting set of portraits was exhibited in the early nineties all over the world but never in Britain. The large colour prints will form part of the photographic archive of significant Britons at The National Portrait Gallery and will be exhibited for the first time in the UK in August."

Helen Trompeteler, Picture Librarian at the National Portrait Gallery, says that the Gallery is delighted to obtain these nine portraits which will be displayed within its new Science in Focus display.

Anita remembers each portrait session clearly, "These guys are highly intelligent, but they were easy to talk to and we even understood most of what they were saying! They were all absolutely passionate about their subjects and we enjoyed capturing that passion in their pictures." Anita singles out Joe Farman, an environmental scientist, whose discovery of the ozone 'hole' has had consequences of far-reaching and global importance, describing him as “very intense and very straight talking regarding the troubles of the ozone layer."

One particular scientist, who will ring a bell with many people, is Robert Edwards who pioneered In vitro fertilization techniques at Bourn Hall Clinic at the time he was photographed in 1989 his work had helped to create over 2000 babies.

Anita and John, of Corbin O'Grady Studio, have been working together since 1984 and moved their business from London to Wellington in 2001.

FotoMuse IPhone App Inspires Publishers And Photography Hobbyists

In an age where Photoshop users routinely manipulate photographs to perfection, the thought-provoking depth and artistic value of imperfect "reality" images is often lost.

Now, thanks to FotoMuse ($2.99 in the Apple App Store), anyone with an iPhone can infuse snapshots with artistic depth in just a few simple steps.

"With FotoMuse, we've created a new category in photography - where street glamour meets fine art via the iPhone," said photographer and fitness expert Kris Gebhardt, who developed the app in partnership with WebUrban LLC. Gebhardt initially used his iPhone when an unexpected camera jam threatened to ruin a photo shoot, but he now regularly takes fashion, glamour, beauty, and figure shots with the mobile device. "It allows me to quickly capture real time and unrehearsed moments, without having to lug studio equipment around, pay staff, and deal with the ruckus of a shoot production," he said.

In FotoMuse, Gebhardt's signature effects - grunge, uneven borders, scratches, light leaks, toner stains, bleach, and overlays - are provided to iPhone users so they can apply them to their own images.
The result? Both publishers and hobbyists are transforming photographs into fine art.

Gebhardt notes that online publishers are weary of using the tired images found on stock photography sites. "Online editors and webmasters are embracing FotoMuse's unique filters, borders, and fine art effects to create eye-catching images that pop off of a web page and differentiate their sites from those of their competitors," he said. "They can literally snap a picture, edit it, and upload it in about five minutes."

But it was the reaction from amateur photographers that took Gebhardt by surprise. "When we built the app, we'd assumed that picture resolution was inconsequential, since most people would want to email their photos," he said. "We couldn't have been more wrong. It turns out that FotoMuse users want to print, frame, and hang their images on the wall." As a result, FotoMuse's upcoming release will include a high-resolution option that brings iPhone snaps to life.

Gebhardt is thrilled that both publishers and amateur photographers are using FotoMuse to its full advantage. "So-called 'imperfect' photographs are much more visually interesting than stock images or those that have been Photoshopped to perfection," he said. "I'm glad that FotoMuse is helping to infuse an artistic edge into personal snapshots, and that it's giving online publishers an easy-to-use tool to create visual interest on their websites."

Travel Photo Contest 2009 by Open Travel

Open Travel announces the first edition of its travel photography contest, where visitors to Opentravel.com - at least 18 years of age and planet Earth residents - will have the opportunity to upload and share their works with other traveling and photography aficionados.

While the core idea of photography is not about competing, but rather about capturing the infinitely diverse beauty of the world and the satisfaction that comes from unveiling this to others, Open Travel has prepared two fantastic cash prizes in the amount of $1000 and $500 for Best Travel Photo and People's Choice Best Travel Photo respectively.

As of September 21, 2009 participants are invited to upload unlimited photos taken during their voyages throughout the world, be it a weekend outing to the French countryside, a holiday in the Caribbean, a shopping spree at a souq in Morocco, or an African safari. Focus your cameras on just about anything you feel worthwhile.

Photo submissions will be accepted at http://opentravel.com/photo_contest until October 23, 2009. From the pool of all submitted photographs, a panel of experts will choose one that excels in terms of photographic quality and the extent to which it captures the essence of a travel experience, place or event. Additionally, a separate prize will be awarded for the photograph that is voted best by the users. Winning photos will be featured on http://www.opentravel.com/

Photographers Invited To Submit Favorite Ontario Photos

Copp Communications, a marketing agency in Waterloo, is looking for photo submissions for a high quality calendar that celebrates the beauty of Ontario, Canada.

This is the fourth year that Copp Communications has created a calendar on behalf of one of their clients. However this year it was decided to release an open call for photo submissions to both professional and amateur photographers across Ontario.

Photographers featured in the calendar will receive payment, credit for their photo, and will be acknowledged with a brief bio and web address on the contribution page, included in the calendar. Approximately 7,000 copies of the calendar will be printed and distributed to businesses across Ontario.

"We have received great feedback from photographers who have contributed to past calendars, and we are really looking forward to seeing the photo submissions we receive this year", says Chris Copp, Director of Creative and Consulting.

Copp Communications is looking for photos from anywhere in Ontario; however, there is a particular need for photos specifically from Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, Hamilton, Barrie, York Region, Peterborough, Ottawa, Cornwall and surrounding areas of Ontario. Photos from these geographic areas will be given first priority.

The photo submission deadline is October 8, 2009. The selection process will occur at the end of October. Only photographers whose photos have been selected will be contacted.

Deadline for photos is October 8, 2009
Requirements:
* Beautiful, striking nature shots with a sense of place in Ontario
* Looking for wide range of seasonal shots
* Photos must be horizontal
* Maximum submission 6 photos per photographer
* Please include the location of each photo
* Low resolution jpeg photos no bigger than 500kb
Submission Instructions:
* Please title your subject line: Photo Submission for Calendar
* Please email photos to calendar@coppcomm.ca

Please feel free to visit www.coppcomm.ca/calendar to see a PDF version of last year's calendar.

BC Council for Families Announces Online Family Photo Competition

No one knows how to have fun like your family! Now, you could even win a prize for it.

This fall, to celebrate Canada's National Family Week, October 5 - 11, 2009, the BC Council for Families is inviting families to show off their fun side with the I Love My Family Online Photo Competition. The Council will be giving away great prizes for the best photos of family fun. To enter, all you need is a photo of your family and a 100-word story telling us what fun means in your family.

"We want to celebrate the incredible diversity of families in BC. Every family is different, but every family is built on love," said Glenn Hope, Executive Director of the BC Council for Families. "This contest is a chance for everyone to share what makes their family unique and wonderful. Families are all about caring for one another, spending time together, and having fun. We're looking forward to some terrific photos and stories of family fun!"

Each day during National Family Week, one winning photo will be chosen by the BC Council for Families as a great example of why We Love Families. The grand-prize winner will be announced in November. The deadline to enter is October 16, 2009. For complete details, visit http://www.bccf.bc.ca/. Join us on Facebook to enter your family fun photos today.

"This is a great time to encourage everyone in BC to enjoy the simple things in life," said Hope. "Having fun with family can be as simple as sharing a joke or taking a walk. That's what makes it so wonderful."

"Show Us Your National Parks" Photo Contest

From September 1st through September 30th, visitors to Fodors.com will have the opportunity to upload and share their favorite photos and experiences of America's National Parks with other travelers. Ten winners will receive a copy of The National Parks by Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns as well as a Fodor's guide of their choice. Photographs will be considered for inclusion in upcoming editions of Fodor's National Parks guides and all winning photos will be featured in an online gallery at http://www.fodors.com/.

Said Tim Jarrell, Publisher, Fodor's, "With bigger-than-life panoramas, bubbling mud pots, shooting geysers, raging rivers, black bears, big horn sheep, and spectacular flora and fauna that barely scrape the surface of offerings, the National Parks are a photographer's delight. We are excited to see these sites through the eyes of our travelers."

Photo submissions will be accepted at http://www.fodors.com/ through September 30th, 2009. Fodor's has previously run photo contests for Ireland, Argentina, Turkey, Israel, Maryland, New Mexico, Costa Rica, California, Florida, and Alaska. Winning photos from these contests can be seen on http://www.Fodors.com .

Student Photography Competition

Sony is once again working with the Advertising & Illustrative Photographers Association to run the Sony / AIPA Assistant & Student Photography Competition.

The annual competition aims to encourage photographic excellence and originality amongst up and coming photographers.

To qualify for entry, candidates must either be a photographer's assistant or a photography student currently enrolled at a recognised tertiary institution anywhere in New Zealand.

Sony and the AIPA invite interested photographers to visit www.aipa.org.nz to download an entry form with submission guidelines and competition terms. Submissions will be judged by a panel of photo industry professionals including Sony New Zealand's Marketing Manager for Digital Imaging Products Sam Williams and AIPA's Executive Director, Aaron K.

Prizes include a top-of-the-line Sony Alpha 850 D-SLR camera and lens kit for the winning photographer's assistant and a Sony Alpha A380 for the winning student.

Last year's competition had a number of high caliber entries making it a difficult task for the judging panel. Photographers assistant Kristian Frires was named the winner of the assistant category with his striking series of photographs of cataracts patients from the Solomon Islands.

Rebekah Robinson was named the winning student. Her portfolio consisted of a series of seven well considered and beautifully captured images that cleverly revealed the care given to domestic pets.

This year Sony and the AIPA expect the quality of entries to be just as high and both organisations are excited to see the talent entering the industry.

"We see a great synergy between Sony Alpha and the AIPA and we are proud to be supporting the competition once again" said Sam Williams.

"I am particularly excited to see all the entries as I know there is some great talent out there."

AIPA's Executive Director Aaron K is equally excited. "It's great that we can work with an organisation like Sony to encourage and promote emerging talent in the industry. This competition is unique in that it allows us to reward outstanding photographic achievement while also better educating young image-makers about the profession itself."

Entries for the competition open on 7 September and winners will be announced on 23 November.

ILFORD Photo Kicks Off Film Photography Competition

Calling all ILFORD PHOTO enthusiasts. HARMAN technology - the company behind the traditional black and white photography brand, ILFORD PHOTO - is delighted to announce the launch of a new photographic competition that gives you the chance to see one of your images on the front of the iconic ILFORD PHOTO box.

The "Image on a Box Photographic Competition 2009 – North America" is open to all residents of USA and Canada. Entries must be shot on ILFORD DELTA 400 Professional film and printed on any ILFORD black and white photographic paper. The closing date for the competition is June 30, 2010.

Entries have to be submitted under one theme: 'Fine Art'. Arguably a very broad and interesting category, HARMAN technology is excited to see entrants’ interpretation of the theme. As Steven Brierley, HARMAN’s President of Marketing explains:

“There are countless definitions as to what exactly constitutes 'Fine Art' photography and the debate periodically rages within the photographic fraternity and website forums. Some say it is 'art for art's sake'. Some say it is a one-off staged composition or is simply an expression of beauty. There is also a school of thought that believes it is a combination of things: original composition, technical skill, artistic interpretation and the quality of the photographic products used to capture the image.”

"With that in mind our ILFORD DELTA 400 Professional film competition is quite simply themed 'Fine Art'. We are hoping this will inspire the many fine photographers out there to present their own interpretation on this often discussed genre and that it will add to the general debate."

HARMAN technology has launched special promotional packs of ILFORD MULTIGRADE IV RC Paper to include two free ILFORD DELTA 400 Professional films. These promotional packs, available while stocks last, act as an incentive to get potential entrants looking for image opportunities to then have a chance to win one of three prizes:

First Prize
US $1000 worth of ILFORD PHOTO black and white products
The winning image will be printed on the iconic ILFORD PHOTO box.
The winner will also receive a silver gelatin fine art mounted print of their image.
Second Prize

US $500 of ILFORD PHOTO black and white products
Third Prize

US $250 of ILFORD PHOTO black and white products
For further information on the ‘Image on a Box Photographic Competition' visit http://www.ilfordphoto.com/imageonaboxna09

Developing Skills Through Photographic Storytelling at the Yellin Center

Everyone can take photographs and develop "visual" literacy. With the camera as the technological tool of choice in the 21st Century, students can capture what they see and imagine and describe their photographs in their own words too.

The process in the workshop Myself, My Family, My Community, My Dreams, taught by professional photographer and teaching artist Roberta Fineberg, is a simple one: write, shoot, write; and then begin again. Kids are encouraged to retain their natural sense of play to build upon their strengths so that they can share their lives with others through words (narrative) and images (point of view). Effectively using two languages of imagination, photography and writing, participants learn through art education to communicate emotionally, visually, orally, and in writing; mastering even more complex learning skills.

Ms Fineberg believes that "getting personal--creating a space in which students are comfortable with the realities of their lives, problems, worries, fears, hopes, and dreams"--positively affects the learning process. With a focus equally on task completion, the final project is a professionally designed and printed group book of participants’ writing and photography. "Readers of the group book ultimately bear witness to the world that tweens and teens inhabit," says Fineberg, "fortuitous eyewitnesses to kids' dreams and plans for the future."

Roberta Fineberg is an award-winning photographer, published writer and author, and teaching artist based in New York City. Her interdisciplinary workshops include: Literacy through Photography (LTP), ESL through Photography, Autobiography through Photography (her creation), and signature program, Myself, My Family, My Community, My Dreams.

The 6-week workshop for kids, Myself, My Family, My Community, My Dreams is being offered on Wednesdays from 3:45-5:15, beginning Sept. 30 at The Yellin Center for Student Success (104 West 29th St., 12th fl, NYC 10001). For more information, please call: 646.775.6646.

"Show Us Your National Parks" Photo Contest

Fodor's Travel and Knopf announced the co-sponsorship of a travel photography contest, "Show Us Your National Parks."

From September 1st through September 30th, visitors to Fodors.com will have the opportunity to upload and share their favorite photos and experiences of America's National Parks with other travelers. Ten winners will receive a copy of The National Parks by Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns as well as a Fodor's guide of their choice. Photographs will be considered for inclusion in upcoming editions of Fodor's National Parks guides and all winning photos will be featured in an online gallery at www.Fodors.com.

Said Tim Jarrell, Publisher, Fodor's, "With bigger-than-life panoramas, bubbling mud pots, shooting geysers, raging rivers, black bears, big horn sheep, and spectacular flora and fauna that barely scrape the surface of offerings, the National Parks are a photographer's delight. We are excited to see these sites through the eyes of our travelers."

Photo submissions will be accepted at www.Fodors.com through September 30th, 2009. Fodor's has previously run photo contests for Ireland, Argentina, Turkey, Israel, Maryland, New Mexico, Costa Rica, California, Florida, and Alaska. Winning photos from these contests can be seen on www.Fodors.com.

About The National Parks by Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns
The companion volume to the twelve-hour PBS series from the acclaimed filmmaker behind The Civil War, Baseball, and The War. In this evocative and lavishly illustrated narrative, on sale September 8th, 2009, Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan delve into the history of the park idea, from the first sighting by white men in 1851 of the valley that would become Yosemite and the creation of the world's first national park at Yellowstone in 1872, through the most recent additions to a system that now encompasses nearly four hundred sites and 84 million acres.

Photography Scholarship Opportunity to Onondaga County High School Students

Green and Seifter Attorneys, PLLC is excited to announce the "Impressions of Syracuse" Photography Contest for Onondaga County High School Students in grades 9 through 12. Inspired by the upcoming "Turner to Cézanne" exhibit at the Everson Museum of Art, young artists will have the opportunity to express their impressions of the beauty and unique character of our city or region through photography.

The contest is open to all Onondaga County high school students in grade 9 through 12. Entries will be judged on composition, creativity, and effectiveness in conveying the beauty and/or unique character of our region. The deadline for entries is October 16, 2009. The selection of the top twenty finalists and grand prize winner will be made by a panel of artists, teachers, and photographers. The winner will receive a $500 scholarship and have his/her photo featured on the 2009 Green & Seifter Attorney holiday card. A special section will highlight the young artist. In addition, a $500 donation will be made to the winning school's visual arts department to be used for further art education.

The top twenty finalists will have their artwork on display in a special week- long exhibit at the Redhouse Gallery. The winner will be announced during a private reception for finalists, their families and teachers on October 29.

"Green & Seifter Attorneys has been a long-time supporter of the Everson Museum and the Redhouse and values their contributions to our community," said Larry Bousquet, a Managing Member of the firm, "Sponsoring a scholarship to students in the community to promote art education was the logical next step. We hope to help spread the word about these outstanding art institutions that are right here in our backyards."

More information and entry forms can be found at www.gslaw.com. Any inquiries can be directed to Kathy Ryan at 315.701.6458 or at kryan (at) gslaw (dot) com.

How to Create an Effective Marketing Copy For Freelance Photography Services by Gina Nuqui

Writing your marketing copy is a crucial part of your advertising campaign, because it should be compelling enough to motivate clients to hire you. While the design of your printed materials captivates people's attention, your marketing copy sells your services to them. Think of your marketing copy as your key to gaining your customer's trust, respect, and approval. This should be well-constructed, informative, and persuasive in order to achieve your goal.

* Effective Text Formatting: Text formatting is often disregarded in many marketing campaigns. The truth is, this can either make or break your campaign. Come to think of it, clients won't read your message word-per-word. They will most likely to skim over your printed materials. So, you must pay attention to proper text formatting to make sure that the most important information gets read. Use headings to make your copy more organized. Write the most important information in bold letters to make them more noticeable. Make use of bullet points and summarize features or benefits to make them easy to read.

* Call to Action: Give clients an unbeatable offer that they will find difficult to refuse. Use words that convey excitement to spark their curiosity and interest. Clients should know what to do after reading your marketing copy. Should they visit your studio? Check your website? Or take advantage of your discount? Telling clients exactly what you want them to do helps elicit a positive response from them.

* Personalized Sales Message: Talk to clients like an expert, but in a friendly and conversational manner. This will engage them to read the rest of your promotional material. Clients will most likely respond to you if they feel that you are communicating directly to them.

* Testimonials and Reviews: Adding testimonials and reviews on your marketing copy helps build your credibility; which helps convince customers that you are the right choice. Contact recent customers and ask them to give their feedback about your service. But, if you are still new in the business, you can offer free services in exchange of reviews.

Aside from your photographer portfolio, your promotional materials also contribute to the success of your profession. You have to ensure the quality of your marketing copy and your printed materials. So, whether you are printing business cards, posters, or brochures, it would be best to opt for professional color printing services. Professional online printing companies print full-color promotional materials that aid in your campaign.

More topics on Print Full-Color can be found at Color Printing.

Top 5 Tips For Perfect Wedding Photography

Internet journalist Matthew Connors caught up with the amazingly talented Wedding Photographers from Precise Moment Photography in Melbourne to find out just what it takes to get those perfect Wedding Photographs.

There response was amazingly simple yet very informative. "Wedding photography is not just our job it's our passion. Getting the perfect shot for our clients wedding memories is the goal, but it must be done in a natural and fun way that adds to the enjoyable memories of the wedding day".

When asked how that is achieved they said that "while every wedding we do has different people, lighting issues, weather and a number of other variables to deal with, our focus on capturing the natural expressions consistently delivers amazing results".

They went on to explain that there are several really great tips that can help achieve the perfect shots and a more enjoyable wedding day for all Brides and Grooms.

Precise Moment's Top 5 Wedding Photography Tips For Brides and Grooms

1. Just relax and enjoy yourself. Be your yourselves and your true personality will show through. If you are relaxed you will enjoy yourself more, the smiles will flow and the memories will be genuinely happy ones.

2. Make sure you let your wedding photographer know in advance what style of photography you prefer. Some couples prefer traditional photos, some like candid or contemporary. It's entirely your choice, but letting the wedding photographer know is paramount to getting the perfect results you're after.

3. Wear comfortable shoes. It's hard to genuinely smile when you're uncomfortable or your feet are killing you. In fact it often pays two pairs handy for various situations, especially in wet weather.

4. For the ladies, make sure you have matt looking make-up so you don't have shiny faces.

5. Don't be afraid to have a cuddle or a kiss at any time. These spontaneous emotions make the best photographs. A great wedding photographer will always be watching and ready and it's important you feel comfortable to be yourself and express your love in front of your photographer.

While these tips seem straight forward and simple to implement it takes a true expert to be able to implement them under the pressure of a wedding day and capture all those exact moments for your cherished memories.

Website: www.WeddingPhotographyMelbourne.info

International Photography Contest for Best Erotic Tribal Art Image

Healing Research Institute announces the 2010 competition for the Hertzberg Prize for best image in the erotic tribal art category. The 2009 winner "Mayan Breasts" won the unanimous nod of all three judges and is featured on href="http://www.erotictribalart.com/">www.erotictribalart.com for sale for a limited time. The 2009 winner created an intense sensuous image of decorated breasts with a complex Mayan overlay which produced a remarkable and striking image. The winner wished to produce a picture which honored the female breast , but which was not lewd or offensive.Those interested in the photography competition can view this image and gain some idea of the winner's image, but it is not designed to be limiting in any way Entries are to be sent to HRI PO Box 1968 Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504.

"River to Well" Worldwide Photography Competition

A Lawrence, KS, community group has organized a worldwide photo competition called River to Well. The entry fee to submit a photo is $15, two photos for $25, or three photos for $30. All of the money from the entry fees will go to building a well in South Africa.

Any person can submit entries to this competition. There are three divisions for this photo competition: 1) Students 2) Amateur Non-Students 3) Professional photographers.

"We want people who are passionate about the campaign of bringing clean water to people who don't otherwise have the 'luxury' and actual photographers who want to get their name out, enter a photo competition, and at the same time give to a great cause," said Ken Chang, one of the River to Well organizers.

Deadline for submissions is September 15, 2009. The Entry Form and more information about the competition can be found at: http://www.rivertowell.com/.

"Best Of Summer" Travel Photo Contest

Los Angeles-based Tours4Fun is taking entries for their "Best of Summer" travel photo contest. Photos must be originals and of landscapes, not people, and prizes include a shopping tour of Niagara Falls, a Washington, DC tour, or Grand Canyon helicopter or airplane highlights tours. The entry period begins today and voting will start on September 1st. Winners will be announced in October.

The contest is being promoted as an opportunity for travelers and tourists to submit their best photographs and share their unique views of the wonders they have seen. It is hoped that sharing these photos will not only benefit the winners but offer a chance for all to see locations they may not have visited before.

Tours4Fun is an industry leader in travel that specializes in tour packages to North American and European cities, landmarks, and national parks. Last month they introduced their "Circle Line" European tour packages of Western, Central and Eastern Europe. Tours4Fun also offers affordable tour packages to Asia, Australia, Africa, South America and the Middle East.

The "Best of Summer" travel photo contest is the latest in a series of incentive contests that have been offered by Tours4Fun. In order to be eligible, contestants must register and each vote will be credited to a specific email address. Only three votes per email will be allowed. The deadline for final votes to be cast will be September 30th.

"By offering North American tour packages as prizes we hope to spark a renewed interest in travel within the United States," said Maggie Lang, Co-Founder and Product Development, Tours4Fun, Webeez, Inc. "The Department of the Interior has done their part by offering fee-free admission weekends to our national parks this summer. This is our way to keep the ball rolling into the Fall."

North American numbers are already rising with increased admissions at the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the American side of Niagara Falls. Travel to Washington, DC, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York is also up with many Americans choosing not to stay home for vacation this year. This contest should help to keep those numbers rising.

National Geographic Announces Fourth Annual International Photography Contest

National Geographic readers around the world are invited to take part in the 2009 National Geographic International Photography Contest. Readers of National Geographic's English-language editions in eight countries as well as readers of 20 of the magazine's international local-language editions are eligible to participate. The international grand-prize winners will receive a trip to National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C., and their winning entries will be published in all participating editions of National Geographic magazine. Winning entries from each territory will be featured in their local editions of National Geographic magazine.

English-language-edition readers in Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United States and the United Kingdom are eligible to enter up to a total of six photographs across three categories: People, Places and Nature. Entries should be submitted electronically to www.ngphotocontest.com. The contest began Wednesday, Aug. 5, and ends Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009, 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time (ET). Photos can be black-and-white or color, shot with a digital camera or with conventional film, and must be submitted digitally. Each entry consists of an entry form, a single image and an entry fee. The entry fee is U.S. $12 per photo for entries received before 11:59 p.m. ET Oct. 15, 2009, and $22 per photo for entries received between Oct. 16 and Oct. 31. For details and official contest rules, visit www.ngphotocontest.com. Void where prohibited.

English-language-edition entries will be judged at National Geographic headquarters by a panel of three judges: National Geographic staff photographer Mark Thiessen; design editor of the international editions of National Geographic magazine Darren Smith; and White House photo editor Jenn Poggi. First-place category winners of the English-language-edition competition will win a digital camera kit.

The participating international local-language editions will submit their winning entries in each category to National Geographic headquarters to be judged alongside the winning English-language entries by Thiessen, Smith and Poggi. The judges will announce three international grand-prize winners in December 2009.

Photo and Essay Contest

PIC Corporation (PIC), a multi-national provider of insect and rodent control products, is now accepting entries for its Healthy Home Photo and Essay Contest. One winner will be awarded a prize of $500 (U.S. dollars) for submitting the most original and creative essay and photo showcasing the use of PIC Corp. pest control products – including the mosquito coil, a popular deterrent since 1953.

To enter, visit and http://www.healthyhome-smartsolutions.org/Aug09Contest provide your contact information and a short (no more than 500 words) essay about how you use PIC Corp. products responsibly. When we receive your entry, we will send a confirmation email asking for a photo of you using the product mentioned in your essay.

Providing both a photo and essay via email completes your submission. There is only one entry per person. The contest begins at 12:01 AM Eastern Time Wednesday August 5, 2009 and ends 11:59 PM ET September 5, 2009

Contest Seeks Photos of Most Epic Adventures for Chance to Win Ultimate Surf Trip

Pacifico beer is asking fans of the authentic pilsner to upload photos of their adventures for the chance to live the Pacifico lifestyle and win an "Epic Adventure" of their own. The contest, which launches on www.MexicoViaPacifico.com, enables consumers to submit photos for the opportunity to win a surf trip for four with professional surfer Joel Tudor, along with other great prizes.

Pacifico has always been a beer for the adventurous, fond of off-the-beaten-path destinations, especially given that the beer was originally discovered by west coast surfers on trips to Baja California, Mexico.

Prizes for the Pacifico Epic Adventure Contest include:

* One grand prize winner will win a trip for four to the Moana Resort on Waikiki Beach in Oahu for five days and four nights and surf lessons from professional surfer Joel Tudor, considered one of the best longboard surfers in the world

* Five first prize winners will receive their choice of a shortboard, longboard or stand-up paddle board from Surftech

* 50 second prize winners will receive a one-year subscription to Surfer Magazine

To enter, consumers can submit up to three photos of their own epic adventure on www.MexicoViaPacifico.com from July 8 to September 15, 2009. Upon completion of the submission period, the photos will be judged by a panel of experts including a Pacifico representative, professional surfer Joel Tudor and Grant Ellis, photo editor of Surfer Magazine. Photos will be judged on aesthetics as well as the degree of epic-ness of adventure, but Pacifico is leaving it up to consumers to decide what they consider an epic adventure.