Ellen Barone

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Free Photography Workshops: Canon U.S.A. Urges America To Get Outside and Release Its Inner Shutterbug

A Summer of Free Workshops at Three of America's Most Popular National Parks and Canon's Second Annual Photography in the Parks Photo Contest Return For a Season Filled With Photo Fun

From the beaches of the eastern seaboard to the Great Plains, and from the wetlands of the south, to the towering sequoias of the west, America and its pristine parks have always been hailed as top destination sites for photography enthusiasts and their families.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. and the American Park Network continue to help define the relationship between photography and the great outdoors with the introduction of a free photography workshop program on select dates throughout the summer in Yosemite, Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Parks.

These programs will be artfully hosted and instructed by a select few of the world renowned Canon Explorer of Light photographers including Adam Jones and Lewis Kemper, along with other Canon-selected photographers such as Rob and Ann Simpson. What's more, the Canon Photography in the Parks Photo Contest* returns this year to offer photographers the chance to display their work and win prizes in the categories of landscape and wildlife photography in the parks.

"Photography affords an entirely new perspective of the natural world that surrounds us every day, both in our national parks, and in our own backyards," stated Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager of the Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A. "As a global organization, Canon understands its responsibility for the impact it makes on society and the environment. Canon is guided by the philosophy of Kyosei - 'all people regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously living together and working into the future.' Through our involvement in the parks, we hope to strengthen Canon's commitment to conservation."

The Canon Photography in the Parks Photo Contest
From June 1st to September 29th, photographic enthusiasts are encouraged to submit their favorite photographs from an American park to the Canon Digital Learning Center. Winning photographs in the categories of landscape and wildlife will win a trip to the participating parks of their choice, along with a full suite of Canon photographic equipment. By logging onto the Canon Digital Learning Center at www.usa.canon.com/dlc, potential winners will not only have the opportunity to submit their photos, but can also peruse the Web site to explore the various educational resources that Canon has to offer for novices and advanced photographers alike.
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Photography in the Parks Workshops*
With the help of the Canon Explorer of Light program, Canon's elite roster of the most influential photographers in the world, park visitors will have the opportunity to participate in free daily guided visual photographic journeys. Additionally, Canon will loan participants top-tier digital camera equipment to capture those awe-inspiring sights at no additional cost. Aspiring photographers will learn the tips and tricks to taking great outdoor photos and experience hands-on training using some of the same equipment that professional photographers use. Evening programs are also offered, providing visitors the rare opportunity to spend time with the Explorers of Light, view stunning imagery, ask questions, and receive prints and a CD of their own photos.

"It's rare that we get the chance to share our passion for photography with people that are so eager to learn," stated Adam Jones, professional photographer and Canon Explorer of Light. "As far as wildlife and landscape photography goes, these three parks are among the best locations the Earth has to offer. I look forward to teaching the tips and tricks I've used that will help to create photographs that can compete in the Canon in the Parks Photo Contest."
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Schedule of Seminars
Yosemite National Park: June 15-29, 2007*

Workshops: 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. except Tuesdays – Location: Ansel Adams Gallery
Evening program: 8:30 p.m. except Tuesdays – Location: Curry Village Amphitheatre
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Grand Canyon National Park: July 9 - 29, 2007 *
Workshops: 9 a.m. and 2p.m. except Tuesdays – Location: Flagpole at the rim side of the El Tovar Hotel
Evening program: 6 p.m., except Tuesdays and on Friday, July 20, 2007 – Location: Shrine of Ages auditorium (Parking lot A, next to Park Headquarters)
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Yellowstone National Park: August 6 - 12, 2007*
Workshops: Daily, 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., except Tuesdays – Location: Old Faithful Inn
Evening program: 6 p.m., except Tuesdays – Location: Old Faithful Snow Lodge

Additional Programs and Sponsored Events
The workshops and photo contest are just a small part of the sponsored education and activities that Canon offers. The Canon Digital Learning Center provides a wide variety of classes across the country with renowned photographers. There are also tutorials available on-line for beginners to learn their way around a digital SLR camera to unlock the creative control that SLR photography affords.

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial imaging solutions. The Company is listed as one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies in America and is on the 2006 BusinessWeek list of "Top 100 Brands." Its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), is a top patent holder of technology, ranking third overall in the U.S. in 2006†, with global revenues of $34.9 billion. ww.usa.canon.com/

About Canon U.S.A.'s Environmental Programs and Alliances
An educational and research program, Eyes on Yellowstone, made possible by Canon, assists with scientific research and breaks new ground in conservation, endangered species protection and the application of cutting-edge technology essential to managing park wildlife and ecosystems. www.ypf.org and www.windowsintowonderland.org and www.greateryellowstonescience.org

The Canon National Parks Science Scholars Program develops the next generation of scientists in the fields of conservation, environmental science, and park management, and is the first and only program of its kind to encourage doctoral students to conduct innovative research on scientific problems critical to national parks. www.canonscholars.org

Canon Envirothon is North America's largest high school environmental education competition in which more than 500,000 teenagers are involved in a year-long learning process that combines in-class curriculum with hands-on field experiences. www.envirothon.org

About American Park Network
American Park Network is the leading publisher of visitor guide magazines for national and state parks for more than two decades. With more than 20 editions, reaching 20 million people, American Park Network guides are the definitive information source for anyone planning a national park vacation. Through a carbon offset partnership with the National Forest Foundation, this year American Park Network became the world1s first carbon-free publisher. www.AmericanParkNetwork.com.
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** Open to non-professional photographers only. For full contest rules and details, please visit www.usa.canon.com/dlc*

All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.

IFI Patent Intelligence, January 11, 2007

SOURCE: CANON U.S.A, Inc.