Grand Prize Winner to Receive National Geographic Top Prize In Energizer Contest
By Mel Fabrikant Tuesday, October 13, 2009, 04:46 PM EDT
Six photos are being recognized by National Geographic as the most-outstanding in their respective categories of the “Energizer Ultimate Photo Contest.” The photographers are now in the running for the “ultimate” grand prize: a trip of a lifetime for two to the Galápagos Islands accompanied by a National Geographic expert and the chance to see their photo grace the pages of National Geographic magazine in an ad for Energizer® Ultimate Lithium batteries.
In August, 12 photos were selected as Category Finalists by Jim Richardson, a National Geographic photographer and the judge for the “Energizer Ultimate Photo Contest.” Then America was asked to go online to nationalgeographic.com/lithium to vote for a favorite in each category. After four weeks of voting, the following were named Category Winners:
Animals/Wildlife – Ruston Agte of Tucson, Ariz.
Polar Bear Swimming
Except for the fact that he would probably eat you if he could, this polar bear is just so obviously a nice guy. All those little body gestures speak of lazy curiosity in the midst of a refreshing swim, the twinkling reflections on the water speaking of cool delight. Just kind of friendly (maybe).
Comments from Jim Richardson
Nature – Tracy Hagen of La Selva Beach, Calif.
Light Shaft Shines on Sea
Nature never holds still for us, and this picture celebrates that never ending change in such a beautiful way. The magical shaft of light will soon be gone, the tides will transform the waves, the eons will change the rocks. And such a vocabulary of color!
Comments from Jim Richardson
Travel – Glenn Traver of Hanover Township, Pa.
Boardwalk and Ocean
It would be fruitless to talk about this picture without marveling at how those subtle colors transmit some subtle emotion we can't quite distinguish but which is just as powerful as it is serene. Something like the power of a whisper.
Comments from Jim Richardson
Weather – Frederick Abels of Center Line, Mich.
Sultry Porch and Cloud Reflections
It is the rare actress who can manage to be so seductive or sultry as this scene. The colors are subtle, the water tranquil. But it is the chair that keeps tempting me, promising some escape into a timeless moment.
Comments from Jim Richardson
People and Cultures, Inspiration/Keep Going® – Bernardo Medina of Houston, Texas
Boy and Boats (People and Cultures)
For all the stunning beauty of this landscape with the exotic sky and the sweep of the boats, it is the boy whose presence transforms this picture into an act of contemplation. The horizon is lost in some cloudy infinity; the boy is lost in his thoughts. Nice.
Comments from Jim Richardson
Peddling Bicycle in Wind (Inspiration/Keep Going®)
I have no idea where this man's story began, or where it will end, but I know the subject of the story perfectly: human courage. Head down, hunched over, hardly seeing where he's going. The picture speaks so clearly over the howl of the wind.
Comments from Jim Richardson
“Ultimately, the Category Winners have one thing in common: their images pierce through the crowd and really deliver impact,” said Richardson. “It’s a real testament to the power of photography.”
These six photos have risen to the top of the 12,500 photographs that were entered in the 2009 “Energizer Ultimate Photo Contest,” which began in April. The Grand Prize Winner will be determined by Richardson and announced on or around Oct. 15.
Energizer, the company known for innovative solutions to power people’s lives, partnered with the world-famous magazine National Geographic for the second annual “Energizer Ultimate Photo Contest” to highlight Energizer® Ultimate Lithium batteries, which last up to 8x times longer* in digital cameras.
Energizer® Ultimate Lithium not only meets the power demands of digital cameras and flash units but also those of other high-tech devices like handheld GPS units and LED flashlights. In addition to the extreme long life, the batteries are 33 percent lighter than ordinary alkaline batteries and perform well in extreme temperatures from – 40° to 140° degrees Fahrenheit (-40° to 60° degrees C).
“Reliable, portable power is especially important for photographers and other device users on the go,” said Betsy Laakko, director of Battery Marketing for Energizer. “Energizer® Ultimate Lithium are the world’s longest-lasting AA and AAA batteries in high-tech devices, giving you the ability to stay in the action longer without having to reload or recharge.”
Each of the Category Winners will receive a prize pack of a 2.0 USB scanner, an assortment of Energizer® Ultimate Lithium batteries, two National Geographic books: Organize Your Digital Life and National Geographic: The Photographs, and a framed and signed 16x20 print from Richardson’s photography gallery.
* Vs. Energizer® MAX®. Results vary by camera.
About Energizer
Energizer Holdings, Inc. [NYSE: ENR], www.energizer.com, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of primary batteries, battery-powered devices and flashlights. Energizer, a global leader in the dynamic business of providing portable power geared toward the new digital age, offers a full portfolio of products including the Energizer® MAX® premium alkaline brand; Energizer® Ultimate Lithium; Energizer® Advanced Lithium and Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) Rechargeable batteries and chargers.
The Energizer® product line also includes specialty batteries for hearing aids, health and fitness devices, as well as for keyless remote entry systems, watches and other uses. Through its flashlight and lighting products unit, Energizer helps bring consumer insight and innovation to these important household devices. Energizer continues its role as a technology leader with Energizer® Energi To Go®, portable battery-powered chargers for cell phones.
About National Geographic
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 370 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; exhibitions; live events; 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 promoting geographic literacy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.
In August, 12 photos were selected as Category Finalists by Jim Richardson, a National Geographic photographer and the judge for the “Energizer Ultimate Photo Contest.” Then America was asked to go online to nationalgeographic.com/lithium to vote for a favorite in each category. After four weeks of voting, the following were named Category Winners:
Animals/Wildlife – Ruston Agte of Tucson, Ariz.
Polar Bear Swimming
Except for the fact that he would probably eat you if he could, this polar bear is just so obviously a nice guy. All those little body gestures speak of lazy curiosity in the midst of a refreshing swim, the twinkling reflections on the water speaking of cool delight. Just kind of friendly (maybe).
Comments from Jim Richardson
Nature – Tracy Hagen of La Selva Beach, Calif.
Light Shaft Shines on Sea
Nature never holds still for us, and this picture celebrates that never ending change in such a beautiful way. The magical shaft of light will soon be gone, the tides will transform the waves, the eons will change the rocks. And such a vocabulary of color!
Comments from Jim Richardson
Travel – Glenn Traver of Hanover Township, Pa.
Boardwalk and Ocean
It would be fruitless to talk about this picture without marveling at how those subtle colors transmit some subtle emotion we can't quite distinguish but which is just as powerful as it is serene. Something like the power of a whisper.
Comments from Jim Richardson
Weather – Frederick Abels of Center Line, Mich.
Sultry Porch and Cloud Reflections
It is the rare actress who can manage to be so seductive or sultry as this scene. The colors are subtle, the water tranquil. But it is the chair that keeps tempting me, promising some escape into a timeless moment.
Comments from Jim Richardson
People and Cultures, Inspiration/Keep Going® – Bernardo Medina of Houston, Texas
Boy and Boats (People and Cultures)
For all the stunning beauty of this landscape with the exotic sky and the sweep of the boats, it is the boy whose presence transforms this picture into an act of contemplation. The horizon is lost in some cloudy infinity; the boy is lost in his thoughts. Nice.
Comments from Jim Richardson
Peddling Bicycle in Wind (Inspiration/Keep Going®)
I have no idea where this man's story began, or where it will end, but I know the subject of the story perfectly: human courage. Head down, hunched over, hardly seeing where he's going. The picture speaks so clearly over the howl of the wind.
Comments from Jim Richardson
“Ultimately, the Category Winners have one thing in common: their images pierce through the crowd and really deliver impact,” said Richardson. “It’s a real testament to the power of photography.”
These six photos have risen to the top of the 12,500 photographs that were entered in the 2009 “Energizer Ultimate Photo Contest,” which began in April. The Grand Prize Winner will be determined by Richardson and announced on or around Oct. 15.
Energizer, the company known for innovative solutions to power people’s lives, partnered with the world-famous magazine National Geographic for the second annual “Energizer Ultimate Photo Contest” to highlight Energizer® Ultimate Lithium batteries, which last up to 8x times longer* in digital cameras.
Energizer® Ultimate Lithium not only meets the power demands of digital cameras and flash units but also those of other high-tech devices like handheld GPS units and LED flashlights. In addition to the extreme long life, the batteries are 33 percent lighter than ordinary alkaline batteries and perform well in extreme temperatures from – 40° to 140° degrees Fahrenheit (-40° to 60° degrees C).
“Reliable, portable power is especially important for photographers and other device users on the go,” said Betsy Laakko, director of Battery Marketing for Energizer. “Energizer® Ultimate Lithium are the world’s longest-lasting AA and AAA batteries in high-tech devices, giving you the ability to stay in the action longer without having to reload or recharge.”
Each of the Category Winners will receive a prize pack of a 2.0 USB scanner, an assortment of Energizer® Ultimate Lithium batteries, two National Geographic books: Organize Your Digital Life and National Geographic: The Photographs, and a framed and signed 16x20 print from Richardson’s photography gallery.
* Vs. Energizer® MAX®. Results vary by camera.
About Energizer
Energizer Holdings, Inc. [NYSE: ENR], www.energizer.com, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of primary batteries, battery-powered devices and flashlights. Energizer, a global leader in the dynamic business of providing portable power geared toward the new digital age, offers a full portfolio of products including the Energizer® MAX® premium alkaline brand; Energizer® Ultimate Lithium; Energizer® Advanced Lithium and Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) Rechargeable batteries and chargers.
The Energizer® product line also includes specialty batteries for hearing aids, health and fitness devices, as well as for keyless remote entry systems, watches and other uses. Through its flashlight and lighting products unit, Energizer helps bring consumer insight and innovation to these important household devices. Energizer continues its role as a technology leader with Energizer® Energi To Go®, portable battery-powered chargers for cell phones.
About National Geographic
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 370 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; exhibitions; live events; 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 promoting geographic literacy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.
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