LONG BEACH, Calif., Oct. 29, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Epson today announced it is a global sponsor of the 2018 Nature's Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Awards Exhibition for the seventh consecutive year. As the exclusive Printer and Paper Partner for the ongoing exhibition, Epson's professional printing technology allows visitors to enjoy the "very best" in outdoor photography, celebrating the rich beauty and diversity of nature.

In addition, Epson is integrating projection mapping and large-scale projector imagery at the invitation-only awards ceremony and reception that will be held in the Rotunda at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History on Thursday, Nov. 15. The new 20,000 lumen Epson Pro L20000U laser projector, designed for the rigors of live events, will be used for the first time in the United States to create brilliant, colorful displays during the private evening event to showcase the award-winning photography on a large-scale.

"Continuing our important mission to cultivate and encourage public interest in environmental conservation, we are proud to again represent and showcase the most incredible spectacles of nature through photography," said Steve Freligh, awards director. "Year after year, Epson's reliable professional printing solutions allow us to display the best possible prints. And we are excited to once again see the winning photography on a larger scale with the projection mapping demonstration during the awards ceremony."

The award-winning photographs will be displayed on the second floor of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and is open daily, free to the public.

About the Printed Exhibition
The 23^rd annual Nature's Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Awards Exhibition opens Monday, Oct. 29, 2018. Chosen from more than 26,000 entries from photographers, the exhibition showcases 60 images from the extraordinary work of outdoor photographers in 59 countries. The images, along with an accompanying HD video, are displayed as large format prints ranging in size from 2 x 3 feet to nearly 4 x 6 feet in the museum, which welcomes more than six million visitors annually. The exhibition prints were created on the Epson SureColor^® P20000 64-inch wide-format printer delivers excellent color, rich blacks, and exceptional print permanence levels. For more information, visit www.naturesbestphotography.com. For more information about Epson professional printers, visit www.proimaging.epson.com.

About the Private Awards Reception Projection Display
Epson is leveraging its Pro L20000U laser projector with 20,000 lumens of color and white brightness¹ and its Pro L25000U laser projector with 25,000 lumens of color and white brightness¹ to create a projector mapping display during the private awards reception held in the Rotunda of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Epson is partnering with several high-end solutions companies, including All of it Now experiential design agency, Da-Lite for custom projection screens, and Nomad Event Systems for the production. Epson's laser projector solutions combine 3LCD technology with an integrated laser light source and a wide color gamut designed to deliver powerful, uncompromising images.

"Whether printed or projected, Epson creates imaging solutions that support the visual arts, which is why it's so exciting to expand our partnership with Nature's Best from not only printing the amazing photography, but also projection mapping it throughout the museum's main Rotunda for the ceremony reception," said Gavin Downey, senior product manager – large venue projectors, Epson America, Inc. "We are thrilled to once again partner with industry-leading companies to showcase this extraordinary nature photography in a larger-than-life format."

About Epson
Epson is a global technology leader dedicated to connecting people, things and information with its original efficient, compact and precision technologies. With a lineup that ranges from inkjet printers and digital printing systems to 3LCD projectors, watches and industrial robots, the company is focused on driving innovations and exceeding customer expectations in inkjet, visual communications, wearables and robotics.

Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the Epson Group comprises more than 76,000 employees in 87 companies around the world, and is proud of its contributions to the communities in which it operates and its ongoing efforts to reduce environmental impacts.

Epson America, Inc., based in Long Beach, Calif., is Epson's regional headquarters for the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. To learn more about Epson, please visit: epson.com. You may also connect with Epson America on Facebook (facebook.com/Epson), Twitter (twitter.com/EpsonAmerica), YouTube (youtube.com/EpsonAmerica), and Instagram (instagram.com/EpsonAmerica).

¹ Color brightness (color light output) and white brightness (white light output) will vary depending on usage conditions. Color light output measured in accordance with IDMS 15.4; white light output measured in accordance with ISO 21118.

EPSON and SureColor are registered trademarks and EPSON Exceed Your Vision is a registered logomark of Seiko Epson Corporation. All other product and brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks. Copyright 2018 Epson America, Inc.

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SOURCE Epson America, Inc.