THE LUCIE AWARDS - INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

The highlight of the annual International Photography Awards, the 2006 Lucie Awards Gala, was held on October 30th in New York City at the American Airline Theatre, an event sponsored by Pilsner Urquell. Two of the 15 IPA nominees were awarded Lucies, the prestigious “Oscars of Photography”. Los Angeles based Gerd Ludwig was named The International Photographer of the Year and received $10,000 awarded by AtEdge. The $5,000 award for The New Discovery of the Year went to Ghada Khunji. The 15 nominees are selected from thousands of entries in 15 categories, eight for professional photographers and seven for amateurs. The jury consists of influential art directors, picture editors and curators looking for excellence in the categories of advertising, architecture, books, editorial, fine art, nature, people, and special. As well as receiving the 2006 Lucie Award for International Photographer of the Year, Gerd was given an IPA award for Professional Book Photographer of the Year for BROKEN EMPIRE, published by National Geographic.

In addition to the annual international competition, several photographers were honored with the esteemed outstanding achievement awards. The 2006 honorees are David Bailey (Fashion), Neil Leifer (Sports), Roger Mayne (Documentary), Duane Michals (Portraiture), Sarah Moon (Fine Art), Marc Riboud (Photojournalism), Albert Watson (Advertising); Eikoh Hosoe received a Visionary Award and Willy Ronis was awarded for Lifetime Achievement.