Contact: Fred Knubel
Director of Public Information
212-854-5573, fhk1@columbia.edu FOR IMMEDIATE USE
November 11, 1997
Alison Cirenza, LIFE magazine,
212-522-7576
Alfred Eisenstaedt Awards Established at Columbia
The Alfred Eisenstaedt Awards for Magazine Photography, a new set of
national journalism prizes, have been established under the auspices of Columbia
University, it was announced today.
They are named for the renowned photographer, known to many as
"Eisie," who died in 1995 at the age of 96. They will be given annually to 20
photographers in 14 categories. The judging will be administered by Columbia's
Graduate School of Journalism under a grant from LIFE magazine. They join
other prizes under Columbia's purview, including the Pulitzer Prizes, the Alfred
I. duPont-Columbia University Awards in Broadcast Journalism and the Maria
Moors Cabot Prizes in inter-American journalism.
Tom Goldstein, dean of the school, said: "It is gratifying that LIFE has
chosen to place these exciting awards at Columbia, with our long experience in
the administration of awards in the profession."
LIFE's publisher, Ed McCarrick, said: "We are honored that the Columbia
Journalism School will administer this prestigious awards program," and David
Friend, the magazine's assistant managing editor and director of photography,
said: "As one of the fathers of photojournalism, Eisie helped pioneer magazine
photography. These awards are a recognition of his lasting impact on the field."
More than 170 nominating jurors - photographers, photo editors,
curators and others across the country - are now selecting images that will be
submitted this month for consideration by a five-member panel of leading
authorities in the field. Its choices will be reviewed by a three-member board
appointed by the Dean of the Journalism School.
The names of winners and finalists will be announced in January and the
first Eisenstaedt Awards will be presented formally at a ceremony in New York
on March 25, 1998. Winners will receive $1,500 and a unique keepsake designed
by Steuben.
The winning photographs and some others nominated will appear in a
special issue of LIFE next spring. Separately, the magazine will present a special
LIFE Legend Award for lifetime achievement in magazine photography. LIFE is
also sponsoring a scholarship program in the journalism school in Mr.
Eisenstaedt's memory.
Categories include documentary, news, sports, geography, nature, science,
portrait, fashion, design, advanced technique (including digital), humor,
journalistic impact and cover photography. Eligible are single pictures and photo
essays published in American magazines during the year. Magazines must be
published at least twice a year and be sold independently; newspapers' Sunday
magazines, company in-house, on-line and foreign language publications are not
eligible, nor is advertising photography.
Alfred Eisenstaedt, a founding photographer of LIFE, was among the
preeminent photojournalists of his time and one of the great photographers of the
20th century. He covered all aspects of life in America and was perhaps most
famous for his picture of a celebrating sailor kissing a nurse in Times Square at
the end of World War II.
11.11.97 19,213
-2-