Shiv Nadar University, Delhi-NCR, in collaboration with Sony India, consumer electronic company, early this month organized the 3rd edition of Photothon 2026, a flagship photography competition celebrating visual storytelling. Over 1,100 participants that included aspiring photographers, industry experts and creative minds showcased their talent through compelling imagery at the event.
The competition featured diverse themes such as ‘Shapes & Identities’, ‘Nature as an Artist’ and ‘Photo Story-Capturing Action’, designed to challenge creativity and technical skills. A distinguished panel of judges, including Ms. Bahar Dutt, Associate Professor, Shiv Nadar University, Delhi-NCR; Mr. Ronnie Singh, fashion photographer, visual artist, and creative director; Dr. Shahi Shaika, Dean, AAFT School of Photography; Professor Jo Yarrington, Department of Visual and Performing Arts at Fairfield University, Connecticut, decided on the 12 winners.
The winners across the three categories were Anoop Antony, Ahmad Zaman, Lakshay Gupta, Sanskriti Tiwari, Bhanuteja Padamat, Amaresh Kumar, Meenakshi Tiwari, Yukta, Ashish Kumar Maurya and Siddharth Sahu. Himanshi won the Quirky category, and Sukhant Kumar won a Special Mention for his skills. The winners took home a purse of ₹30,000 (first), ₹20,000 (second), and ₹15,000 (third) in each category.
Through their work, the students captured the essence of the University’s architecture and highlighted the richness of biodiversity — a reminder of all that must be conserved. Every frame had a story to tell, with participants crafting dynamic visual narratives that brought moments and stories to life.”
Photothon 2026 also featured exclusive workshops covering topics such as storytelling through photography, macro-photography, studio portrait techniques, travel and street photography. The sessions provided participants with valuable insights and hands-on learning experiences.
Mukesh Srivastava, Head of Imaging Business, Sony India, sharing his thoughts on the competition, said, “Photography today goes beyond just capturing moments, it is about telling powerful, meaningful stories through every frame. Photothon 2026 has brought forward some truly inspiring talent, and we are proud to support a platform that nurtures the creative potential of young photographers. It is encouraging to see participants push boundaries, experiment with new perspectives and express themselves so authentically through visual storytelling.”
