LEICA NAMES THE WINNER OF THE 2005 JIM MARSHALL SCHOLARSHIP PHOTO CONTEST
Pinar Ozger of Berkeley, California Announced as the Winner of the First Jim Marshall Scholarship Contest

Allendale, N.J. – October 2005- It took two legends to create this unique contest-- Leica Camera, and Jim Marshall, a photographic legend and inveterate Leica shooter. Its aim is simple but profound: To encourage talented young photographers and to provide them with the best possible equipment to express their vision—a Leica M7 camera and Leica 35mm f/2 Summicron ASPH lens valued at $5,000. In addition, the award includes a $2,500 cash prize.

After poring over the 275 portfolios entered for more than 6 hours, the 5 judges, including Jim Marshall himself, selected the 2005 contest winner--Pinar Ozger of Berkeley, California, who is studying at the Academy of Art University. The judges were moved by her compassionate and revealing images of the harsh life in the Kackar Mountains of Turkey.

We congratulate her on her outstanding achievement, and trust that both the camera and the award will help her further her photographic education and put her on the road to a successful and fulfilling career.

About Leica Camera Inc.
Leica creates cameras and optical photographic accessories that empower the artist in every photographer. The company creates instruments that provide photographers with the tools they need, as well as inspire their artistic spirit within. Leica is dedicated to developing the finest in cameras and optical photographic instruments. For the entire history of the company, a tradition of precision manufacturing and technological innovations has steadily positioned the brand at the forefront of the photographic industry and has enabled it to establish an unsurpassed standard of excellence. Leica Camera USA, headquartered in Allendale, N.J., distributes a complete line of Rangefinder & SLR cameras and lenses, compact and digital cameras and sport optic products. For more information, please visit the web site at www.leicacamerausa.com.

About Jim Marshall
Jim Marshall has worked in the music genre for most of his career, providing editorial coverage for magazines, and shooting everything from publicity and documentary photographs to album and CD covers. He was one of the chief photographers at both Woodstock ’69 and the Monterey Pop Festival. He was also the only photographer granted backstage access at the Beatles’ last concert, and was also the only person ever to succeed in squeezing Janis Joplin and Grace Slick into a single memorable frame.