About

The Strand Book Store, a New York institution since 1927, has one of the largest, most comprehensive collections of photography books in the world, all at discount prices. As a New York City icon and a popular destination for tourists and New Yorkers alike, the Strand has been the subject of countless films, news articles, documentaries and photography shoots over the years. Now you're invited to focus your Eye on the Strand.

The Strand has partnered with the Aperture Foundation, a leading non-profit arts institution dedicated to promoting photography, and publishers of over 400 acclaimed photography books, and Pratt Institute Center for Continuing and Professional Studies (CCPS), to host a photography contest, "Eye on the Strand."

Eye On The Strand

Amateur and professional photographers from all over the world are invited to submit their photo representations of the Strand Book Store for a chance to win an afternoon with internationally renowned photographer Mary Ellen Mark, including lunch with Ms. Mark at New York City's famous Balthazar Restaurant; a collection of fifty photography books published by Aperture; a group exhibit of all the winning images at Pratt CCPS Gallery, located at 144 West 14th Street, in the summer 2009; a free digital photography or computer graphics course at Pratt CCPS; a B&H Photo gift card; a J. Crew gift card and personal styling consultation and much more.

The contest judges include some of New York City's most influential names in photography & digital imaging, including Lesley A. Martin, Publisher, Aperture Books program; Cheryl Stockton, Pratt Institute Adjunct Professor, CCPS Photography and Digital Imaging; Charlie Rhyne, the Strand Book Store's photography book buyer; Paul Amador, co-owner of New York City's Cohen Amador Gallery; Jeffrey Ladd, photographer & creator of http://5b4.blogspot.com; and Darren Ching, Creative Director of Photo District News and co-owner of Brooklyn's Klompching Gallery.

The Eye on the Strand photo contest will run from November 7, 2008 through March 31, 2009. Pratt CCPS will host a reception at their New York City gallery, where the work of the twenty finalists and three winners will be on view during the month of July 2009.

The Strand will exhibit the work of the twenty finalists, the three winners and the Viewer's Choice Award winner on the Strand's online photo gallery and will use the photos for the Strand's marketing purposes, which may include a Strand calendar, a poster, or other merchandise; the photographers will receive credit on all materials generated for the promotion.

Images will be judged on overall photographic and artistic quality, originality and how they best represent the Strand Book Store.

Judges:

Grand Prize:

  • An afternoon with internationally renowned photographer Mary Ellen Mark with lunch courtesy of Balthazar Restaurant
  • A collection of fifty Aperture photography books (value: over $2,000)
  • $100 Blurb gift card and a free Blurb book of the winning photographs**
  • One-year subscription to New York magazine
  • Photo exhibited at Pratt CCPS Gallery (July 2009)
  • Photo exhibited on Strand's online Photo Gallery

Second Prize:

  • Free photography or computer graphics course at Pratt CCPS * (value $805)
  • A collection of fifty Aperture photography books (value: over $2,000)
  • $100 Blurb gift card and a free Blurb book of the winning photographs**
  • One-year subscription to New York magazine
  • Photo exhibited at Pratt CCPS Gallery (July 2009)
  • Photo exhibited on Strand's online Photo Gallery

Third Prize:

  • $300 B&H Photo Gift Card
  • $250 J. Crew Gift Card & personal styling consultation at J.Crew's new Tribeca men's shop
  • $100 Blurb gift card and a free Blurb book of the winning photographs**
  • One-year subscription to New York magazine
  • Photo exhibited at Pratt CCPS Gallery (July 2009)
  • Photo exhibited on Strand's online Photo Gallery

*The Pratt Institute course is non-transferable and must be redeemed within 2 years of receipt.

**Blurb is a creative publishing platform that enables anyone to design, publish, share and sell bookstore-quality books. Blurb will give the three winners a Blurb book, up to $100 in value, featuring a selection of the winning photographs, along with a $100 gift certificate.

20 finalists will receive a $25 Strand gift card, a Strand tote bag, placement at the Pratt Gallery's photo exhibition in July 2009 and placement on the Strand's online photo gallery.

Viewers' Choice Award

The public will be able to view all photographs submitted to the contest and will be able to vote for their favorite. The winner of the Viewers Choice Award will have his/her photograph featured on the Strand online gallery and will receive a Strand gift card.

Rules

All entries must be submitted as digital files. Emailed photographs will not be accepted. One person may enter up to 3 (three) photographs and complete the entry form with the required information.

Contest is open to all, aged 18 and above. Employees of Strand, Aperture and Pratt, or members of their respective families, are only eligible to participate in the Employee Category. The Contest is void where prohibited. For important information and size requirements, see the Official Contest Rules.

Contact

For more information about this contest, please contact any of the following partners:

Christina Foxley
Director, Store Events & Marketing, Strand Book Store
Christina@strandbooks.com
212.660.6643

Andrea Smith
Director of Communications, Aperture Foundation
asmith@aperture.org
212.946.7111

Amy Aronoff
PR Manager, Pratt Institute
aarono29@pratt.edu
718.363.3554

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