NEW YORK, NY.- Aperture, Pratt, and the Strand Book Store are pleased to announce the winners of the Eye on the Strand photography contest, which kicked off last fall and concluded March 31, 2009. The winners were chosen by a prestigious panel of judges from over 500 submissions featuring unique and creative photo representations of the Strand Book Store. The Grand Prize Winner will get to have lunch at New York City’s famous Balthazar Restaurant with world-renowned photographer Mary Ellen Mark, and receive a collection of Aperture books, among other prizes.

The work of the grand prize, second and third place winners and twenty finalists will be featured in a special exhibition to open at the Pratt Institute CCPS Gallery on July 16, 2009. An opening reception will take place Thursday, July 15 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. To read about contest details, including prizes awarded, and to view the winning images, please visit The Strand’s online photography gallery at www.eyeonthestrand.com.

Grand Prize Photo Winner: Josh Robinson/“Strand Shadows”
A native of St. Louis, Mo., Josh is currently a graduate student in NYU’s Graphic Communications Management and Technology program. Previously, he was a two-time Emmy Award winning television news producer, and most recently a features producer for AOL. He lives in Manhattan with his wife Claire.

Second Place Photo: Cary Conover/“Upside Down"
A freelance photographer based in New York City, Cary is a regular contributor to The Village Voice and The New York Times, among other publications. Cary’s black and white documentary street photography celebrates New York City. A native of Wichita, Kansas, Cary lives on the Lower East Side with his wife, Yvonne.

Third Place Photo and Viewers’ Choice Winner: Manjari Sharma/”Strand, The dreamer’s land”
A native of Mumbai, India, Manjari graduated from the Columbus College of Art and Design in 2004, and is currently a freelance photographer living in New York City. In India, she photographed for The Times Of India and Better Photograph. In the U.S., her clients include AOL, American baby and Penguin Books. Manjari received eight honorable mentions in the IPA Lucie Awards 2008.