Lake Success, N.Y., May 1, 2000 - Canon U.S.A., Inc., the company whose imaging solutions give people Know How, announced today that as part of Canon's "Explorers of Light" lecture series at colleges and universities nationwide, world-renowned and award-winning photojournalist James Nachtwey will present a series of lectures and workshops at several California universities from May 1-3, 2000.

The presentations, to be conducted at the Academy of Art College (San Francisco), University of California at Berkeley, and Brooks Institute of Photography (Santa Barbara), will explore Mr. Nachtwey's experiences as a war photographer. As an anti-war photographer, Mr. Nachtwey uses his graphic images of death and destruction to both highlight the evils of modern conflict and stress the collective responsibility we bear to better our world.

"Canon's 'Explorers of Light' lecture series is a wonderful program that provides an opportunity for photographers to share their insights and experience with students and peers," said James Nachtwey. "When I photograph a war, I'm sharing the perils and hardships of the people involved. These lectures provide a forum for me to share the horrors of war while helping me appeal to all that is good in people. I want my pictures to evoke emotions in my audience that encourage people to get involved -- to put an end to this unnecessary misery," he said.

Mr. Nachtwey is arguably one of the world's greatest contemporary photojournalists. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including an unprecedented five Robert Capa Gold Medals from the Overseas Press Club. His work has appeared in major publications, including Time magazine. Mr. Nachtwey's most recent publication, Inferno, represents his personal journey through the dark reaches of the last decade of the twentieth century.

"Aside from his great talent as a photographer, James Nachtwey is the consummate educator," said Michael Newler, product-marketing specialist for Canon's Camera Division and creator of the "Explorers of Light" program. "The response to Mr. Nachtwey's lectures has been overwhelming. A great photograph is widely viewed as one that evokes an emotional reaction by the viewer - good or bad," said Mr. Newler. "In that sense, all of Mr. Nachtwey's images are great photographs. He is a real asset to Canon and our 'Explorers of Light' lecture series."

Lecture Schedule

San Francisco U.C. Berkeley Santa Barbara May 1, 2000 May 2, 2000 May 3, 2000 UCSF Conference Ctr. 10 Evans Hall Victoria Hall 3333 California St. U.C. Berkeley Campus 33 West Victoria St. 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Canon's "Explorer's of Light" lecture series was established in 1994 and has featured the world's best-known and respected photographers, including Barbara Bordnick, Duane Michals, Douglas Kirkland, Greg Gorman and Sheila Metzner. As part of its continued support of photographers and the photographic industry, all costs associated with the lecture series are underwritten by Canon U.S.A.

The opportunity to host "Explorers of Light" lectures is offered to industry organizations, such as The American society of Media Photographers (ASMP), Advertising Photographers of America (APA), Professional Photographers of America (PPA), and colleges and universities nationwide. In addition, the Explorer's of Light lecture series is presented in cooperation with numerous colleges and universities nationwide including the Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Missouri and the fashion Institute of Technology.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. is an industry leader in professional and consumer imaging solutions and, through its parent company, Canon Inc., is a top patent-holder of imaging technologies. The company's comprehensive product line includes networked multifunction devices; digital and analog copiers (color and black and white); printers, scanners, image filing systems, and facsimile machines; camcorders, cameras and lenses; and semiconductor, broadcast and medical equipment. Canon employs 12,000 people at more than 30 facilities throughout North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.