Photo Contest

Frames of Familiarity

What does home mean to you?

Is it the sunlit ledge by your window, the familiar corner table at your favourite café, or the scent of fresh filter coffee in your kitchen? Is it a park bench, a bustling local market, a shared silence, or maybe just the right playlist?

When do you feel at home?
With yourself, with others, or with the world around you?

As we build up to Manotsava 2025 — RNP, NIMHANS, and NCBS invite you to capture your idea of home through the lens of photography.

Whether it's a place, a feeling, or a fleeting moment, show us where you belong.

Apply for the contest here

We are no longer accepting entries!

Eligibility

  • Open to all individuals aged 16+. Both amateur and professional photographers welcome.
  • One photo submission per person.

Each photograph must be accompanied by a Title (maximum 6 words) and a caption of up to 100 words describing what this picture means to you with respect to a sense of belonging.

Technical Requirements

  • Original photographs only (no AI-generated or stock photos)
  • No B/W, no filters.
  • File format: JPEG or PNG
  • Minor colour-correction permitted.

Verification Process

Each entry must include:

  • The original image file (with EXIF data intact)
  • A screenshot of the photo details (metadata) from phone or camera gallery (showing date/time/location/device)

Prizes & Recognition

Top 30 Finalists

The top 30 photographs will be showcased in a specially curated public exhibition at Manotsava 2025 on the weekend of November 8th and 9th.

Top 5 Finalists

The top five finalists will receive a one-year subscription to Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop, plus a portfolio review with a professional photographer.

The Jury for 2025

Sriram Sabhapathy

Founder, LastBench Studio

Shashank Ganesh

Co-Founder, LastBench Studio

Gayatri Nair

Co-Founder, Chennai Photo Biennale Foundation

Anushya Badrinath

Solopreneur & Portrait Photographer, Light Vine Studio

Suresh Jayaram

Founder, 1Shanthiroad Studio Gallery