Digital montage of a diving gannet with fish and a white squirrel on a branch, highlighting the captivating imagery at the 74th nikkor photo contest.

Mayumi Takeuchi’s Underwater Miracle Captures Grand Prix at 74th Nikkor Photo Contest

User avatar placeholder
Written by Seth Sebastian

2026-10-21

The 74th annual Nikkor Photo Contest in Japan recently celebrated its winners, showcasing talent from photographers across the nation. Known as this prestigious competition, it has been running since 1953 and is a staple for both amateur and professional photographers, offering significant prizes across its categories.

Mayumi Takeuchi from Kanagawa claimed the Grand Prix with a stunning underwater photograph featuring a diving booby. Captured less than a meter away, the photo earned Takeuchi a 500,000 yen cash prize and a Nikon Z8 camera, valued at $4,300. Judges hailed the image as a “miracle,” a testament to its technical brilliance and captivating imagery.

Explore how photography continues to innovate and inspire with Godox’s new lighting technology, a game changer for macro photography enthusiasts.

Underwater scene by Grand Prize Winner Mayumi Takeuchi, featuring unique aquatic life.
Grand Prize Winner — © Mayumi Takeuchi

Web Category Winners

Open Category

In the Open Category, Tokushima’s Toru Shinohara outshone 6,288 competitors with a dynamic surfing photograph. Tatsuya Sato from Niigata received the Silver Prize, while Erika Iguchi, Junko Kato, and Mitsumasa Fujishita each secured Bronze Medals.

Prize-winning photograph by Toru Shinohara, capturing a moment of natural beauty.
Gold Prize Winner — © Toru Shinohara
Award-winning image by Tatsuya Sato, showcasing a serene landscape.
Silver Prize — © Tatsuya Sato

Nature Category

Koichiro Ikeda of Fukuoka earned the Gold Prize with a mesmerizing image of two owls in flight, captured using an 800mm super-telephoto lens. This intricate mirror-like composition solidified his win. Keiko Negishi secured Silver, and Masato Nakata, Yasuyuki Konishi, and Akira Sato won Bronze. Such mesmerizing talent is a highlight of the show.

Young boy holding a net with a dragonfly, standing on sunlit grass.
A young boy in a t-shirt and cap holds a net containing a dragonfly against a sunlit, grassy background.
Koichiro Ikeda's prize-winning photograph showcasing a compelling, colorful subject.
Gold Prize — © Koichiro Ikeda

Under 35 Category

Ryo Takano from Niigata was honored for their serene night-time glacier landscape, taking home the top prize in this year’s contest. Minaho Imai received Silver, with Kumiko Takane, Go Marui, and Ryo Takase each winning Bronze.

Keiko Negishi's distinguished photograph capturing an enchanting natural scene.
Silver Prize — © Keiko Negishi
School of dark fish swimming in deep blue water, creating a dense aquatic scene.
A dense school of dark fish swims together in deep blue water.

Print Division Winners

Open Category

Kanagawa’s Sanae Ono triumphed in the Open Print Competition, while Masaya Akamatsu earned Silver. Reiko Toki, Yoshiyasu Nagura, and Teruhiko Yono shared Bronze.

Ryo Takano's gold prize-winning image capturing a vivid and dynamic moment.
Gold Prize — © Ryo Takano
Children on a sandy beach using sticks to interact with a crab near the surf.
Two young children stand on a sandy beach, using sticks to interact with a crab between them near the ocean surf.

Nature Category

Tokyo photographer Rui Nagumo captured hearts with an adorable squirrel photo, winning the Nature Print competition. Silver went to Norihiro Ikuma, while Ryo Omoto, Akira Sato, and Arihiro Saito clinched Bronze. This renowned event continues to inspire with such delightful entries.

Award-winning photograph by Sanae Ono, highlighting a striking, colorful subject.
Gold Prize — © Sanae Ono
Masaya Akamatsu's prize-winning photo showing a serene natural scene.
Silver Prize — © Masaya Akamatsu

Junior High and High School Students

Akari Ogushi from Wakayama won Gold in the student category. Yui Kawashima from Osaka received Silver, with Koto Isomura, Shiori Tanaka, and Aoi Nakano achieving Bronze. This year saw 824 students participating in the competition, showcasing the promising skills of young Japanese photographers.

Dive deeper into award-worthy photography with iPhone 18 Pro’s bold exhibit that captures raw human connection in a new light.

Two men riding elephants through a field at sunset, capturing a tranquil moment.
Two men ride elephants through a grassy field at sunset, with one elephant eating grass while the other walks alongside.
Rui Nagumo's gold prize-winning image depicting a vibrant, moving scene.
Gold Prize — © Rui Nagumo
Snowy mountain peak above clouds at night, under a sky filled with stars.
A snow-covered mountain peak rises above a thick layer of clouds under a vast, star-filled night sky.
Akari Ogushi's award-winning image displaying an impressive and dramatic subject.
Gold Prize — © Akari Ogushi
Yui Kawashima's prize-winning photo capturing an evocative natural scenery.
Silver Prize — © Yui Kawashima
Student carrying backpack entering sunlit corridor, long shadow cast on floor.
A student with a backpack walks through an open doorway into a bright, sunlit corridor, casting a long shadow on the floor.
Digital montage of a diving gannet with fish and a white squirrel on a branch, highlighting the captivating imagery at the 74th nikkor photo contest.
A split-screen image showing a gannet diving underwater with a fish in its beak on the left, and a white squirrel covering its face on a branch on the right.

Source: petapixel.com

Frequently asked questions

Who won the Grand Prix at the 74th Nikkor Photo Contest?

Mayumi Takeuchi from Kanagawa won the Grand Prix with a stunning underwater photograph featuring a diving booby.

What was the prize for the 74th Nikkor Photo Contest Grand Prix winner?

The Grand Prix winner, Mayumi Takeuchi, received a 500,000 yen cash prize and a Nikon Z8 camera, valued at $4,300.

Which photograph won Koichiro Ikeda a prize in the Nature Category?

Koichiro Ikeda of Fukuoka won the Gold Prize in the Nature Category with a mesmerizing image of two owls in flight, captured using an 800mm super-telephoto lens.

Menu