Microsoft Launches Icons of Imaging Program at First Microsoft Pro Photo Summit, Recognizing Present and Future Leaders in Photography and Digital Imaging

Icons of Imaging members join over 300 professional photographers and industry leaders from around the globe at the first Microsoft Pro Photo Summit to engage in dialogue about latest trends in and future direction of digital photography.

REDMOND, Wash. — June 29, 2006 — Today at the first Microsoft® Pro Photo Summit, Microsoft Corp. announced the launch of the Icons of Imaging program, designed to celebrate and showcase professional photographers who are recognized around the world as leaders in photography and digital imaging. By displaying a sample of their incredible imagery on the dedicated Icons of Imaging Web site ( www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/prophoto/icons/default.mspx ), initial program members Bambi Cantrell, Reed Hoffmann, Denis Reggie, John Shaw, Matthew Jordan Smith and Art Wolfe provide inspiration to other digital imaging photographers to create the best photographic images possible.

“We are delighted to have such a world-renowned group of professional photographers join the Icons of Imaging program at the launch,” said David Vaskevitch, senior vice president and chief technical officer for Business Platform at Microsoft. “The incredible imagery of these professionals has touched many people and inspires the creativity of other enthusiast and professional digital photographers alike.”

Cantrell, Hoffmann, Reggie, Shaw, Smith and Wolfe joined Microsoft executives and over 300 professional photographers and industry insiders from around the globe at the Microsoft Pro Photo Summit to engage in a dialogue about the latest trends in and future direction of digital photography at the professional level, network with key people in the industry, and see demonstrations of the latest technologies.

In addition, Microsoft announced and recognized at the Pro Photo Summit the winners of the Microsoft Future Pro Photographer Contest. A panel including well-known industry insiders from Corbis Corp., Digital Photo Pro Magazine and the Lepp Institute of Digital Imaging reviewed more than 13,000 submissions from 92 countries to choose the grand prize winner and the winners in Nature & Landscape, People & Portraits, and Fine Art categories. The winners are as follows:
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Grand prize: Alin Popescu, Slobozia, Romania
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Nature & Landscape: Yeang Ch’ng, Boston, Mass.
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People & Portraits: Ho Young Choi, Santa Barbara, Calif.
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Fine Art: Carly Short, Kettering, Ohio

“I’m enthusiastic about the creativity and quality of the imagery displayed by many of the aspiring professional photographers participating in the contest,” said Patrick Donehue, vice president of Photographer Services at Corbis and a member of the judges panel. “Microsoft and the contest sponsors encouraged many talented student photographers to take their art to the next level, and I’m excited the contest winners receive a chance to showcase their work and receive worldwide exposure.”

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

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