Cranston, Rhode Island-Swarovski Optik, the Austrian based company announces the "Digiscoper of the Year", a major international photography competition.  Three winners will be chosen to take part in a digiscoping seminar in South Africa and the best 20- digiscoping photos will be published in the Swarovski Optik 2008 Digiscoping Yearbook.  The photographers will be mentioned by name in the yearbook and winners 4 though 20 will also receive a Swarovski Optik Extremedura backpack.

The final date for submissions is September 20, 2007.  All digital photographs, which are taken with a commercially available telescope, may be submitted online at www.swarovskioptik.com.  It is important to provide every photo with a detailed description of the image.  The jury's selection criteria are image sharpness, thematic relevance and the aesthetics of the image.  Every submission should be accompanied by a parallel photograph shot without a telescope.  Detailed entry conditions are available at www.swarovskioptik.com.

Dean J. Capuano, Communication Manager for Swarovski Optik says, "Digiscoping opens up new opportunities for recording nature observation experiences.  All that's required is good digiscoping equipment and basic knowledge of one's own digital camera and its use in conjunction with a telescope."

If you require any further information or photography please contact:
Dean J. Capuano, Communications Manager, Swarovski Optik North America LTD
2 Salter Road, Cranston, Rhode Island 02920
Tel:800-426-3089 Fax: 401-734-5888
www.swarovskioptik.com