Eight 'Category Winners' Named in the Energizer Ultimate Photography Contest

    WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Eight amateur
 photographers are one step closer to receiving the "ultimate" photo contest
 grand prize -- an all-expense-paid trip for two to Tanzania and Zanzibar,
 accompanied by a National Geographic expert, and having his or her photo
 appear in an Energizer(R) Ultimate Lithium ad that will run in National
 Geographic magazine. Each has a photo that has been named a category winner
 as part of the "Energizer Ultimate Photo Contest."
 
     "We received thousands of entries, but these photographs really stood
 out in each of their respective categories," said Jim Richardson, National
 Geographic photographer and a contest judge. "These photos represent the
 best of amateur photography."
 
 
 
     Now it is up to Americans to choose the grand-prize-winning photo that
 will be featured in an ad for Energizer(R) Ultimate Lithium batteries - the
 world's longest-lasting AA and AAA batteries for high-tech devices. The ad
 will appear in the December issue of National Geographic.
 
     Each of the category-winning pictures are posted online at
 www.nationalgeographic.com/energizer and visitors are asked to cast their
 vote for the photo they would most like to see take high honors in the
 contest. Voting extends until August 28, with the grand prize winner being
 announced on or about September 22, 2008. Those selected category winners
 are:
 
     -- Weather: John Dorton, Bradenton, Florida
 
     -- People and Cultures: Amanda Lease, Fort Collins, Colorado
 
     -- Science: Wei Lee, Mira Loma, California
 
     -- Festivals and Celebrations: Felix Marquez, Manassas, Virginia
 
     -- Adventure and Exploration: Kevin McNeal, Olympia, Washington
 
     -- Space: Gregory Paulson, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
 
     -- Wildlife and Nature: Katherine Payne, Hesperia, California
 
     -- Travel: Doug Steakley, Carmel Valley, California
 
     Energizer joined with National Geographic to sponsor the photo contest
 to draw attention to and celebrate the new Energizer(R) Ultimate Lithium,
 which lasts up to 8X times longer in digital cameras (Versus Energizer(R)
 MAX(R). Results vary by camera.). Energizer(R) Ultimate Lithium not only
 meets the power demands of digital cameras and flash units, but also those
 of other high-tech devices like GPS systems and wireless headsets.
 
     In addition to the extreme long life, the batteries are 33 percent
 lighter than ordinary alkaline batteries and perform in extreme
 temperatures from -40� to 140� degrees Fahrenheit (-40� to 60� degrees C),
 making them ideal for professional and amateur photographers.
 
 
 
     "In today's on-the-go society, consumers - especially photographers -
 are looking for portable power solutions to run their high-tech devices,"
 said Betsy Laakko, director of Battery Marketing for Energizer.
 "Energizer(R) Ultimate Lithium offers overall greater reliability allowing
 photographers and high-tech users to get the maximum use out of their
 equipment."
 
     The eight winners were among the 8,110 photographs that were entered in
 the Energizer Ultimate Photo Contest which began in June. At that time,
 amateur photographers were asked to submit a photo online in one of the
 following thematic categories: adventure and exploration, travel, weather,
 science, people and cultures, festivals and celebrations, wildlife and
 nature, and space.
 
     Contest entries were judged based on the following criteria: extent to
 which photo captures the essence of the theme selected (25 percent),
 composition (25 percent), clarity and technical quality (25 percent) and
 creativity (25 percent).
 
     Each of the eight category winners will receive a photography-themed
 package valued at more than $300 and comprised of Energizer(R) Ultimate
 Lithium batteries; a "Gear on Assignment Earth Explorer" shoulder bag; a
 VuPoint Film Scanner, which enables users to scan strips of negatives or
 color slides and convert them to 5 megapixel digital files via a USB port;
 and the National Geographic Ultimate Field Guide to Photography.
 
     About Energizer(R) Ultimate Lithium
 
     Introduced more than 15 years ago, Energizer(R) Ultimate Lithium
 continues to help pave the way for a new generation of high-tech portable
 power devices, ranging from digital photo equipment to GPS units and
 wireless headsets. Recognized as the world's longest-lasting AA and AAA
 batteries for high-tech devices, lasting up to 8X longer* in digital
 cameras, they are 33 percent lighter than ordinary alkaline batteries,
 perform in extreme temperatures from -40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit (-40 to
 60 degrees C) and have a 15-year storage life.
 
     *Versus Energizer(R) MAX(R). AA only. Results vary by camera.
 
     About Energizer
 
     Energizer Holdings, Inc. [NYSE:   ENR], www.energizer.com, headquartered
 in St. Louis, Missouri, is one of the world's largest manufacturers of
 primary batteries, battery-powered devices and flashlights. Energizer, a
 global leader in the dynamic business of providing portable power geared
 toward the new digital age, offers a full portfolio of products including
 the Energizer(R) MAX(R) premium alkaline brand; Energizer(R) Ultimate
 Lithium; and Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) Rechargeable batteries and
 chargers.
 
     The Energizer product line also includes specialty batteries for
 hearing aids and medical devices, health and fitness devices, as well as
 for keyless remote entry systems, watches and other uses. Through its
 flashlight and lighting products unit, Energizer helps bring consumer
 insight and innovation to these important household devices. Energizer
 continues its role as technology leader as it launches its Energizer(R)
 Energi To Go(R) line of portable battery-driven power packs for cell phones
 and iPod(R) devices.
 
 
 

SOURCE National Geographic Society