Competition Seeks Bettmann Archive-worthy Photos

Professional photographers who would like to have one of their photos included in the renowned Bettman Archive are invited to enter a juried competition sponsored by Corbis. The competition is part of Corbis' yearlong celebration of the 100th birthday of the archive's founder Otto Bettman.

“The images in the Bettmann Archive weave a visual narrative that reveals the tastes and outlooks of many generations”?not just historically or politically, but also socially and aesthetically,” explains Steve Davis, president and CEO of Corbis. “As the current stewards of this important cultural treasure, we invite photographers around the world to define the spirit of our times in celebration of Otto Bettmann's legacy.

Ten international experts in the fields of photography, editorial, fashion, entertainment, and advertising will choose the 100 entries that best capture the zeitgeist of the early 21st century.

Entry deadline is August 22, 2003. Corbis will accept up to five entries per photographer, and all entries must be submitted digitally. Images must have been taken on or after January 1, 2001 and can cut across every major category of photography, from photojournalism to celebrity portraiture to advertising and fine art. This is the first time the archive has been opened to new work since 1985 when the UPI picture library was added.

Judging will take place in mid-September, and the winners will be announced in October. Winners will retain their copyright and earn a 50% royalty when Corbis license the winning images. (Corbis: www.corbis.com/bettmann100)