SAN FRANCISCO - Seventeen years ago, A Day in the Life of America captured the country’s imagination and became the best-selling photo book ever published. Now the originators of that project, Rick Smolan and David Elliot Cohen, have reunited to create America 24/7, the largest collaborative photo project in U.S. history.

From May 12-18, 2003, America 24/7 will dispatch 1,000 top photojournalists through all 50 states, outfitted with Olympus digital cameras, to create an extraordinary digital time capsule of daily American life during the course of one week. Project organizers are also inviting every digital photographer in the US-professional and amateur alike-to submit their own visions of America. These "associate photographers" will upload their photos via the project’s website (www.america24-7.com).

The results of this unprecedented digital photo shoot will be published in 53 illustrated books published by DK, a visionary publisher of distinctively styled books for adults and children.

"The America 24/7 series is designed to be a landmark in documentary photography and the watershed event of the new digital photography age," commented project director Rick Smolan, a former Time and National Geographic photojournalist who originated the "Day in the Life…" series. "We are putting out a call to discover the best digital photojournalists in America, plus new photographic talent."

"The advent of digital photography changes everything," said project director David Elliot Cohen, who recently directed A Day in the Life of Africa, the first digital "Day in the Life…" project. "The growing ubiquity of digital cameras, combined with affordable bandwidth and massive digital storage will allow America 24/7’s editors to instantly receive and edit digital photographs from shooters all across the country, creating a true democracy of imagery."

The first volume in the series, America 24/7, will be a 320-page, illustrated book, featuring the best work from photojournalists across the nation. This national volume, scheduled for November, 2003, will be released in conjunction with a network television special, a traveling exhibition of photographs and a compelling online gallery.

The following year, in the fall of 2004, DK will simultaneously publish 52 additional volumes, portraying each American state, plus Washington DC and New York City. This will be the first time in publishing history that any publisher has released 52 separate illustrated books on one day. This unprecedented publishing program will also be supported by TV specials, photo exhibitions, and web galleries.

CALL FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AND ASSIGNMENTS
Project organizers are issuing a national call for photographers to join the America 24/7 team. Photographers will be asked to propose diverse and interesting assignments in their communities.

"Between us, Rick Smolan and I have created more than 30 photography books over the last two decades, and with each new project, we’ve discovered new and exciting photographic talent," said Cohen. "America 24/7 will be the first in a new series of all-digital photo projects. And with a thousand positions available, we expect to discover a new generation of star photojournalists for the digital age."

Information on how to participate as either a professional or associate photographer, or to submit assignment ideas, can be found on the project’s website, www.america24-7.com <http://www.america24-7.com>.