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MELVILLE, N.Y. (Aug. 6, 2009) - Nikon Corporation today announced the winners of the Nikon Photo Contest International (NPCI) 2008-2009, including two Americans, Peter Allinson and Danny Ghitis. One of the world's largest and most prestigious photo contests, the Nikon Photo Contest International, held since 1969 and staged every other year, provides an opportunity for photographers around the world to communicate and enrich photographic culture for professionals and amateurs alike. This year’s theme was also Nikon’s brand statement, “At the heart of the image.”

Peter G. Allinson, M.D, of Kingsville, MD, received first place in the “My Planet” category, for his work, entitled "Friends." Entries in the “My Planet” category were judged by how well they expressed the photographer's feelings about their world, whether that involved the environment, scenes from their daily life, or people and other subjects that stirred their passions. Allinson’s photograph raises environmental awareness not by elaborate explanations, but with its unstaged portrayal of nature. It exemplifies photography’s power to convey important messages regardless of generation.

The Nikon Photo Contest International also recognized Danny Ghitis, of Brooklyn, N.Y., (http://dannyghitis.com) as one of four “Emerging Talents.” This award is presented to photographers under the age of 30 whose photographs show a fresh perspective, demonstrate high-level expressive power and convey the energy of youth. The panel chose his work, “Ganges Bather,” for conveying emotive power, fresh subject matter and a youthful perspective that indicates great future potential as a photographer.

The Nikon Photo Contest International 2008-2009 contest received more than 51,000 photographs from 18,000 entrants representing 153 countries and regions. A total of 54 prize winners were selected from among the large number of entries by a panel of 10 international photography professionals. The judges from Nikon’s native Japan were: Mr. Yoshitaka Nakatani, Mr. Kazuyoshi Nomachi, Mr. Kazuyoshi Miyoshi, Ms. Masako Imaoka, Mr. Manabu Miyazaki, Mr. Takashi Yamaguchi, and Ms. Sayaka Ikemoto. An international panel of judges included: Ms. Ami Vitale from the U.S.A., Mr. Alptekin Baloglu from Turkey, and Ms. Claudia Hinterseer from the Netherlands. The full list of winners, along with their works, can be seen on the Nikon Photo Contest International website (http://www.nikon-npci.com/).