This award was established in 1961 in memory of C. E. K. Mees, who contributed preeminently to the development of scientific photography. It is presented biennially to a recipient who exemplifies the thought that "optics transcends all boundaries," interdisciplinary and international alike. The award was endowed by the Mees family.

This award is presented in odd years only.

Winners

2007	J. Gary Eden
2005	Harrison H. Barrett
2003	Christopher Dainty
2001	Humio Inaba
1999	Toshimitsu Asakara
1997	Jumpei Tsujiuchi
1995	Serge Lowenthal
1993	Hans A. Buchdahl
1991	Florin Abelès
1989	Kenneth M. Baird
1987	Adolf W. Lohmann
1985	William H. Steel
1983	Robert Ditchburn
1981	Maurice Françon
1979	Koichi Shimoda
1977	André Maréchal
1975	William David Wright
1973	Erik P. G. Ingelstam
1971	Giuliano Toraldo di Francia
1968	Charles H. Townes
1966	Bengt Edlén
1964	William F. Meggers
1964	George R. Harrison
1962	Alfred Kastler