Chennai witnessed a dire water crisis this summer as images showed long queues for water tankers as borewells and lake beds in and around the city ran dry. Even as multiple protests broke out. the city's thirst had to be quenched by transporting potable water by train from Jolarpettai.

With this in mind, Iqbal Mohamed, a leading photographer and founder of photography institute Light & Life Academy, has started an initiative dubbed 'Shoot For A Cause', that in his own words, "seeks to harness the power of images for a positive social impact."

Under the initiative, the company has now launched 'An Ode To Water', a social media contest which will culminate in an exhibition at Chennai’s Express Avenue on World Photography Day on August 19, 2019.

"Recent visuals of long queues for water tankers, parched lake beds and other disturbing sights have awakened the public conscience to the necessity for water conservation," a press note stated.

'An Ode To Water' is presently inviting entries through Instagram.

"To participate, contestants must follow LLA (@lightandlifeacademy), and upload their entries using the hashtags #LLA2019, #worldphotographydaywithLLA and #anodetowater. The contest is open to anybody residing in India," the press note added.

The company said that the most outstanding and popular submissions would be exhibited to the public at Express Avenue on August 16, 17 and 18, and will be available for purchase at the venues on August 19.

Proceeds from the sales will support the NGO Environmentalist Foundation of India (E.F.I), an environmental conservation group, which focuses on wildlife conservation and habitat restoration. E.F.I is known for its work in cleaning and scientifically restoring of lakes in India to encourage biodiversity.

Here are some images from the exhibition: