Ilford Imaging Europe, Bergisch Gladbach/Germany – Leica and Ilford, two of the most renowned brands in the photographic industry, are cooperating on a special event: Ilford supports the prestigious Leica Oskar Barnack Award ceremony with two of its finest fine art media, the haptical baryta paper Ilford Gold Fibre Gloss and the cotton paper Ilford Smooth Cotton Rag.

Ilford´s Unique Selling Points
Since last Photokina, Ilford provides the largest range of fine art papers for photographers and artists. Various papers were presented closing several gaps in the exhibition area: The artist has the choice between eight different handmade Washi papers to create a digital unique artwork. Each of the handmade papers differs from the other by its deckle edge. Should these eight types of paper not be enough, or should another format be required, the Creative Emulsion can turn a favourite art paper into an inkjet paper. Also, completely different media can be prepared for printing: Glassine paper, coloured cardboard, grey cardboard and many more.

Users were most pleased with the five different inkjet papers for the museum sector, which are available in widths of up to 64 inches. Never before had there been anything like this in the inkjet sector.

Ilford, the SW icon in the photographic area, will present another highlight by the end of the year: A special paper for friends of platinum palladium - including all chemical components.

With this, Ilford offers the world's largest range of fine art papers and offers its users the world's largest selection at an excellent price-performance ratio.

About Leica Oskar Barnack Award
The Leica Oskar Barnack Award has been presented since 1979. It sees itself as a tribute to photography in the context of people and the environment - and is now more relevant than ever.

This year more than two thousand three hundred photographers from one hundred countries took part in the selection procedure. From these, the top-class jury selected twelve finalists. The winners were nominated on 25 September in Berlin.

The prizes of the highly endowed photo competition have a total value of approx. Euro 80,000. The winner of the main category received a prize of Euro 25,000 and camera equipment of the Leica M system (camera and lens) worth Euro 10,000. The winner of the junior prize was awarded Euro 10,000 and a Leica rangefinder camera with lens. In addition to the main categories, ten other photographic works were each awarded Euro 2,500. Detailed information on the winners: https://www.leica-oskar-barnack-award.com.

The Jury of the Leica Oskar Barnack Award
The jury consisted of renowned representatives, among them: Karin Rehn-Kaufmann, Art Director & Chief Representative Leica Galleries International, Enrico Stefanelli, Director Photolux Festival Italy, Milena Carstens, Head Photo Editing Zeitmagazin Germany, Max Pinckers, Photographer & Prizewinner 2018 from Belgium and Steve McCurry, Photographer & Founder ImagineAsia from the U.S.A.

The photo series of the finalists can be seen at the New School for Photography until 25 October.

Leica goes ILFORD – Managing Director Arnoud Mekenkamp photographs the photo processing of the winning prints on Ilford Premium Fine Art with Creative Emulsion.