The Third Annual Lucie Awards—hailed as the photo industry’s Academy Awards—celebrated the career achievements of photography’s finest on Monday, October 17th at the American Airlines Theatre in New York City.

Honourees, celebrity guests, and esteemed members of the art community attended the black-tie gala—which often focused on honouring legendary photographers that blazed the trail for the photo industry as a whole.

The ceremony consisted of moving tributes to photo industry icons who recently died, including: photographers Eddie Adams, and Richard Avedon, curator Robert Sobieszek, photo agent Jocelyne Benzakin and photographer Ruth Bernhard.

A highlight of the evening was Dan Rather’s presentation of an award to his long-time friend Harry Benson. Also recognized were William Klein, Larry Clark, Lucien Clergue, Antonin Kratochvil, Peter Lindbergh, Ozzie Sweet, Hiro, and Zina Briski.

Hossein Farmani, founder of IPA and the Lucie Awards explained “The Lucie Awards has brought together a worldwide community that shares the common interest of celebrating, creating, exploring and honouring all aspects of photography. The void that previously existed has now been filled and the Lucies has established itself as the “Oscars” of Photography.”

2005 Lucie Award winners:

Lifetime Achievement: William Klein.

Outstanding Achievement in Portrait Photography: Harry Benson.

Outstanding Achievement in Documentary Photography: Larry Clark.

Outstanding Achievement in Fine Art Photography: Lucien Clergue.

Outstanding Achievement in Advertising Photography: Hiro.

Outstanding Achievement in Photojournalism: Antonin Kratochvil.

Outstanding Achievement in Fashion Photography: Peter Lindbergh.

Outstanding Achievement in Sports Photography: Ozzie Sweet.

Humanitarian Award: Zana Briski.

Special Tributes: Eddie Adams, Richard Avedon, Jocelyne Benzakin, Robert Sobieszek.

IPA Professional Photographer of the Year: Jim Fiscus.

IPA Non-Professional Photographer of the Year: Carol Watson.

Picture Editor of the Year: Susan White, Vanity Fair.

Photography Curator of the Year: Gregory Colbert, Ashes and Snow, Pier 54, New York.

Fashion Layout of the Year: "Scarlett Fever," Angeleno.

Print Advertising Campaign of the Year: "Hewlett Packard - You," Goodby Silverstein and Partners, San Francisco.

Book Publisher of the Year: 21st Publishers of Fine Art Books, Sally Mann.

Photography Magazine of the Year: Photo District News.

For more information about the Lucie Awards,please contact Cat Jimenez: e-mail protected from spam bots or Lucy Irvine: e-mail protected from spam bots, or visit www.lucieawards.com or www.photoawards.com.