The 15th DJ Memorial International Photography Contest 2026 attracted 12,278 photographs from 2,334 photographers across 37 countries, with winners receiving cash prizes worth ₹12 lakh at a ceremony held in Coimbatore. An exhibition of the award-winning and shortlisted photographs will remain open to the public until August 5.
Coimbatore: Global photographic talent took centre stage in Coimbatore on Thursday as the winners of the 15th LMW DJ Memorial International Photography Contest 2026 were honoured with cash prizes and certificates worth a total of ₹12 lakh. The competition received more than 12,000 entries from photographers representing 37 countries.
Organised by Coimbatore-headquartered LMW, the annual international photography contest is held in memory of its former Chairman and Managing Director, Dr D. Jayavarthanavelu, whose passion for photography inspired the establishment of the competition in 2012. Over the years, the contest has evolved into a globally recognised platform showcasing photographic excellence.
This year’s edition attracted 12,278 entries from 2,334 photographers across 37 countries in three categories—Wildlife Portraits, Landscapes and Aerial Views.
The entries were evaluated by an international jury comprising renowned photographers Rahul Sachdev, Kalyan Varma and Kenya-based Anthony Ochieng Onyango. K. Marudachalam served as the competition advisor, while Vikram Sathyanathan was the contest administrator.
The awards were presented by LMW Chairman and Managing Director Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu at a function held at the Kasturi Srinivasan Cultural Centre, where winners received cash prizes and certificates totalling ₹12 lakh.
Dinesh won the first in the Nature Landscape category for his photograph, captured at the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary in Karnataka. Arnaud Farre of France was adjudged the runner-up for his photograph taken at Iguazu, Brazil.
Winners and runners-up in the other categories, including Aerial View and Wildlife, were also honoured with cash prizes and certificates.
In addition to the first and second prizes in each category, certificates of appreciation were presented to ten outstanding participants. The organisers said the contest continues to strengthen its reputation as a premier international photography competition, bringing together photographers from around the world while celebrating artistic excellence and visual storytelling.
An exhibition featuring the award-winning and shortlisted photographs is open to the public at the Kasturi Srinivasan Cultural Centre from July 30 to August 5.
Organised by Coimbatore-headquartered LMW, the annual international photography contest is held in memory of its former Chairman and Managing Director, Dr D. Jayavarthanavelu, whose passion for photography inspired the establishment of the competition in 2012. Over the years, the contest has evolved into a globally recognised platform showcasing photographic excellence.
This year’s edition attracted 12,278 entries from 2,334 photographers across 37 countries in three categories—Wildlife Portraits, Landscapes and Aerial Views.
The entries were evaluated by an international jury comprising renowned photographers Rahul Sachdev, Kalyan Varma and Kenya-based Anthony Ochieng Onyango. K. Marudachalam served as the competition advisor, while Vikram Sathyanathan was the contest administrator.
The awards were presented by LMW Chairman and Managing Director Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu at a function held at the Kasturi Srinivasan Cultural Centre, where winners received cash prizes and certificates totalling ₹12 lakh.
Dinesh won the first in the Nature Landscape category for his photograph, captured at the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary in Karnataka. Arnaud Farre of France was adjudged the runner-up for his photograph taken at Iguazu, Brazil.
Winners and runners-up in the other categories, including Aerial View and Wildlife, were also honoured with cash prizes and certificates.
In addition to the first and second prizes in each category, certificates of appreciation were presented to ten outstanding participants. The organisers said the contest continues to strengthen its reputation as a premier international photography competition, bringing together photographers from around the world while celebrating artistic excellence and visual storytelling.
An exhibition featuring the award-winning and shortlisted photographs is open to the public at the Kasturi Srinivasan Cultural Centre from July 30 to August 5.