Ritz Camera has announced their partnership with Kids with Cameras in the "Art Transforming Lives" 2005 Photo Contest. The theme of this year's contest is: Inspiration.
"The Kids with Cameras non-profit organization was spun out of the Oscar- winning documentary Born into Brothels. Founded by Zana Briski in 2002 after filming the movie, the filmmaker wanted to give marginalized children in communities around the world hope, empowerment and a new outlook on life through the art of photography," explained David Hudakoc of Think Film Company, a leading distributor of independent films and sponsor of this contest.
Ritz Camera Centers is providing the prizes and in-store exposure for the photos deemed the most inspirational in this contest. The first-place winner will receive a Canon Digital Rebel XT, a Canon 18-55mm Autofocus Zoom, a Ritz Big Print Crystal High Speed Compact Flash 512MB Media Card, a 55-200mm Quantaray DC Zoom Lens Canon EOS, and a Lowepro Off-Trail Camera Bag. The runner-up will receive a Canon Powershot Pro 1 Digital Camera. The third-place recipient will receive a Canon Powershot SD 400 Digital Elph, and the
consolation prize is a Canon Sure Shot Z115u Quartz Date Film Camera and two packages of Big Print Crystal Film 200 Speed. The DVD Born into Brothels, which started the Kids with Cameras foundation, also is available for purchase at all Ritz Camera stores nationwide.
This contest began September 12 and will run through midnight on November 30, 2005. A $3.00(US) or $5.00 (CDN) donation is necessary to enter the contest. All proceeds will be donated to the Kids with Cameras organization. This contest is open to amateur photographers only; no professional photographers may enter. Prints will be judged on color, contrast, and
sharpness relative to November 30, 2005.

About Ritz Camera Centers, Inc.
Ritz Camera Centers, headquartered in Beltsville, MD, is the largest retail camera and photo chain in the United States with approximately 1,200 locations in 45 states and the District of Columbia. The chain of stores now includes Ritz Camera, Wolf Camera, Kits Camera, Inkley's and The Camera Shop. All stores have Big Print Central Departments offering both traditional and digital prints "in minutes." The Ritz Camera Centers, Inc. website,
http://www.ritzpix.com offers customers a one-hour printing and in-store pick-up service. Ritz Camera Centers, Inc. also owns and operates Boater's World Marine Centers, a leading marine specialty retail chain with 114 stores nationwide.

SOURCE Ritz Camera Centers
Web Site: http://www.ritzpix.com

Source: PR Newswire