-Profile- An Enthusiastic Nature Photographer : Kabita Roy

 -Profile-
An Enthusiastic Nature Photographer
Kabita Roy

Kabita Roy, a resident of Kolkata (India) works in a government missionary school. Her occupation is teaching and her passion is Photography. She has been a student of the world-famous Photography institution, Photographic Association of Dumdum (PAD) Kolkata.

She loved Photography since her childhood days. But she neither had a camera nor a smart phone during those days. So, her quest remained unfulfilled. As she grew young, she joined Photographic Association of Dumdum. She was elated with joy when she developed the negative film and made prints from it first time in her laboratory at home. In this connection she wants to mention that PAD still pursues the use of Analog camera.

Gradually her love for Photography turned into passion. She loves NATURE. So, most of her Photographs are from nature. Even when she goes to school, she carries her DSLR camera and takes Photographs of insects and flowers (MACRO) in the school campus during her little leisure time. This inspires her students and as a result teaching and learning become more effective and interesting. She feels happy to see that many of her students are inclined towards Photography.

Apart from nature she loves to learn about the lifestyle of mankind of different spheres of life. She likes to capture different characters or incidents in the streets. In addition, she likes to take the photographs of rituals as well.

Kabita Roy regularly participates in the contests of photography at national and international levels. She has won many awards in these contests. She has been in the jury of many reputed photography salons. Few of her honours are:  EFIP and EFIP Gold from Federation of Indian Photography, Kolkata; EFIAP from FIAP, Luxembourg and Stars from PSA, USA.

She thinks that Photography is her Love and Breathing Space in the busy schedule of family life and service.

 --Dr. Pankaj Sharma

-Profile- Photographing the World Differently : Dr. Hitesh Patel

  -Profile-
Photographing the World Differently
DR. HITESH PATEL

Dr. Hitesh Patel was born and raised in Surat (India), but his immense attachment toward nature, launched and dropped him in a small tribal town in South Gujarat. By profession he is M.D. Physician and having hospital in Vyara, South Gujarat. As a physician he achieved many awards for serving mankind in many catastrophic conditions like flood, earthquake and plague.

As a photographer, he started his journey in 2011. He has got many awards and recognitions in various genre of photography, like Astro-Photography, Low light Photography, Landscape Wild-life, Macro, and Portrait.

He is world renowned astro-photographer. Astro-Photography is not an easy task. This requires single minded dedication and deep patience. Dr. Patel has spent many nights in pursuit of wonders of sky. He often has to go to remote places to serve his purpose. On such places there is often a danger of wild animals and other forms of risk. But his passion does not stop him from doing so. He admits, "Good results do come only after hard work."

His works have been published in various online and papered magazines like Saevus Wildlife India, Pranvayu, Wild Sojourns and others. His pictures are exhibited in various art galleries of Gujarat almost every year.  Some of his pictures have been at display at Nehru Planetarium, Delhi. He has conducted various workshops on astro-photography and other branches till date. He is Fujifilm Mentor.

His webinars are extremely popular throughout India due to his technical expertise in mechanism of camera system and lens. He usually takes webinars on various topics and sometimes on unusual subjects too. His main strength is his enormous knowledge with easy language. Even professional photographers take guidance from him regarding their career and difficulties. He is a true motivational speaker for photography lovers.

Although his profession is of a physician, he wishes to utilise much of his time in photography, and also as a mentor for beginners. He strongly considers this point in life as a reincarnation of him. He wants to spend life in a totally different way now onwards.

 - Dr. Pankaj Sharma

-Profile- Weaving Incredible Stories through his Camera : Amit Vakil

-Profile-
Weaving Incredible Stories through his Camera
Amit Vakil

Based in Chamba, Himachal, Amit Vakil is a doctor by profession and a photographer by passion. He simultaneously tried his hands on his father's film camera along with a point and shoot camera during 2008- 2010. Gradually, this hobby turned into passion and it entered his blood as a deathless frenzy in 2010 when he bought his first DSLR. Since then, he has been weaving incredible stories through his camera & lenses. Initially, he started capturing pictures in almost every genre of photography; landscape, abstract, travel, still life, food photography, portrait and street. But gradually, he found himself extremely intrigued by travel, landscape and storytelling pictures (pictorial). He started focusing on these genres of photography seriously and his pictures began making place in art lovers’ heart. Today his is well known among photographers for his stunning images.

His Picture of Dew Drops bagged 1st prize under the theme “Macro, Micro Flora & Fauna" in the Big shot Photography Contest Organized by Bing, April 2014.

A picture conferred with 1st prize in "Manipur Photography Contest", under the theme “Emotions” organized in collaboration with Future Forward, 2015.

One of his pictures of Nandgaon Holi found place at the highest level and was adjudged the winner in "Colours of Macao" Photography Contest organized by "Nat Geo Traveller India" in 2016. Following this he went to Macao for a photography assignment accompanied by the official Nat Geo photographer & writer in December 2016 and selected pictures fond the yellow window & were displayed in an exhibition in Mumbai by Nat Geo Traveller India.

Again, his endeavors bore fruits. One of his pictures which depicted the life style of Gujjar community won the prestigious “Artistique” Photography Contest organized by “Asian Photography Magazine” under the theme Black& White, 2017-18.

In Jan 2018, he received 1st prize for winning the “7th National Photography Competition” from Mr. Jual Oram, Minister for Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India, under the theme “Tribal Customs & Heritage”

He received 1^st prize in “Exposure winter moods” photography contest conducted by Exposure Sop, Dec 2019.

Five of his pictures have been published in Himachal Tourism wall and table Calendars for the year 2020.

His Winter Picture of Khajiiar under the theme Natural Landscapes has won "Lens Art Photography" Competition, organized by "Lions Club Ratnagiri & Lens Art Ratnagiri, March 2020.

He has won the "Vision 2020 Photo Competition", a wildlife photo contest by the "Pangolin Photo Safaris" - Botswana, South Africa, May, 2020.

Apart from this, his works have been featured in some of the top photography magazines of India like the Better Photography Magazine, Asian photography Magazine, Smart Photography Magazine, Lonely Planet Magazine, Nat Geo Traveller, India and the Creative Image Magazine.

Amit Vakil thinks that photography is the flame that has kept the candle of his life burning since almost a decade.

(As told by Amit Vakil)

--Pankaj Sharma                                                                                        

-Profile- Capturing Human Emotions Wholeheartedly: Buket Ozatay

-Profile-
Capturing Human Emotions Soulfully

Buket Ozatay

(EFIAP/p, R.ISF5, A.ISF, F.ISF, A.ICS, F.ICS, M.ICS, M.USPA, F.SWAN, Hon.SAP, M.SAP, Hon.A.SAP, Hon.FPI, Hon.F.GNG , Hon.F.APF, Hon.FPMP, Hon.GMGNG, Hon.F.TPAS)

Buket Ozatay is a Turkish Cypriot photographer who was born in Nicosia, Cyprus. Her photographs are unique examples of creativity. Her specific vision has given her a distinct identity. Though we can witness varied subjects in her pictures, she seems in special love for capturing human emotions. Her human life pictures are full of emotions.

She studied business management and marketing in the United States of America before completing her MBA degree in Cyprus. She has an associate degree in Photography and Filmmaking from Anadolu University. Since 1995, she has jointly run her family company Ozatay Photography with her brothers and is regarded as the first contemporary female photography entrepreneur in the history of the Cyprus Turkish photography. Özatay has produced and presented the television programme “Buket Ozatay and Photography Enthusiasts” for the BRT TV in 2014-2015. Since 2015 she has been giving basic photography and photoshop lessons at two different Municipality Social Activities Centres.

Ozatay works include collages, abstract, creative, documentary, portrait, travel and street photography and have been widely published, some as cover pictures, in books, magazines, newspapers, catalogues and brochures or online.

Ozatay is the first female Turkish Cypriot photographer to win award at international photography competitions held by PSA and FIAP. Her photographs have been exhibited nationally and internationally in more than 80 countries on five continents, in international photo competition exhibitions, festivals, fairs, galleries and biennials and she have received many awards.

She received the title AFIAP (artiste) in 2014 and EFIAP (excellence) in 2015; EFIAP/Bronze in 2016; EFIAP/Silver in 2017; EFIAP/Gold in 2018, EFIAP/Platinum in 2019 from FIAP. She is the first Turkish Cypriot Photographer and the first Cypriot Woman to win the EFIAP/platinum title from FIAP.

She has been organizing a national photo competition and exhibition since 2009 yearly in memory of her late journalist and photographer father. The Oztan Ozatay Photo Competition and Exhibition is the most popular in Northern Cyprus, attracting record number of high quality photographers and the highest volume of entries.

In 2014, she opened the “Exotic Morocco Exhibition” South and North Nicosia Cyprus.

In 2015, she opened her first solo Exhibition ‘’The Sky Walks With Me’’ in North Nicosia. Over the years ‘’The Sky Walks With Me’’ was also exhibited all over Cyprus and in some other countries. Her exhibition focused on the North Nicosia Central Prison Women’s Ward (Behind the Bars). This exhibition is the first documentary photography work on prisons in Cyprus.

In April 2019, within the framework of establishing a wide and informative spectrum of the visual arts in North Cyprus, the Cyprus Modern Art Museum at the Near East University opened the solo exhibition of Buket Özatay. She was given “İbni Heysem” Award.  Moreover, a bust of Buket Ozatay was unveiled. As a result she became the first Cypriot Photographer whom bust was unveiled. Her bust will be exhibited alongside her work at the Cyprus Art Museum. 

In June 2019, she opened another exhibition called ‘Easy Life’ which is about construction workers’ everyday life.

--Dr. Pankaj Sharma

-Great Masters- In Love with all Genres of Photography : SUDHIR SAXENA, ARPS, EFIAP/s, EFIP, Hon. FICS

-Great Masters-

In Love with all Genres of Photography

SUDHIR SAXENA

ARPS, EFIAP/s, EFIP, Hon. FICS

A resident of Indore (India),  Mr. Sudhir Saxena is professionally a Civil Engineer. He has worked as Engineer in Chief, Govt. of M.P., P. H .E. Deptt and as Sr. Consultant in the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Govt. of India, New Delhi. He Started Photography in 1972 with a Russian make camera. Later he used Yashica 120 camera somewhere from 1975-76 and a Pentax camera for some years. Finally he shifted to Nikon which continues till date.

Sudhir Saxena got to know about the specifics of photography with his friend, Late Mr. Gopal Gupta, the owner of the oldest Studio (Gopal Studio) in Indore. He used to sit at his studio for hours to understand what photography and printing are all about.

Later he came in contact with Padmshri Waman Thakre, FRPS, FPSA, Hon. EFIAP. Mr. Thakre was also in Govt. service in Bhopal, M.P., Being in Govt. service Sudhir Saxena had to go to Bhopal quite frequently. He used to take some new prints to show to the legendary artist. Mr. Thakre would briefly comment on those and would give some of his prints (B/W only) to him to see and study. Thakre Sahab was an encyclopedia so far as B/W photography was concerned. His prints, mostly portraits and pictorial prints of rural areas were books in themselves and Sudhir Saxena was always very nervous to see them. After some meetings, Thakre Sahab became friendly with him and explained in detail the finer points of printing and pictorialism. Sudhir Saxena started doing B/W printing at his home and used to show the results to Thakre Sahab. He gradually learnt what pictorialism is all about and how B/W printing is done. Sudhir Saxena gives the credit of his knowledge of photography to Thakre Sahab to a big extent. In consequent years he started doing photography in colour medium as well.  

Very soon he started participating in National and later International Photo Exhibitions, which were very few during that time, unlike present day scenario. His pictures started getting recognition all around the world. He never limited himself to any one branch of Photography. He loves Pictorial Photography, Nature & Wild life Photography, Travel Photography, Portraits, Street Photography, Creative and Photo Journalism equally.  Being in Govt. service and working as field engineer he always had ample opportunities to travel and click pictures. He did not miss to click while his holiday trips as well.

The pictures of Sudhir Saxena are the fine examples of creativity and have earned big name and fame for him.

Achievements/Contribution of Sudhir Saxena in Photography-Field

1. Awarded Associateship (ARPS ) of the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain, in the year 1984. Awarded Artiste ship (AFIAP) of the Federation International de la Art Photographic  in 1985. Awarded next higher honour of Excellence, EFIAP in 2009 by the FIAP. 

2. Awarded next higher level of Excellence - EFIAP/Bronze in 2017 and next level of that - EFIAP/Silver by the FIAP in 2019.

3. Awarded Excellence, FIP, EFIP distinction in 2019 by the Federation of Indian Photography.

4. Conferred with Hon. Fellow ICS by the Image Colleauge Society International, USA in 2017.

5. Conferred with the “Grand Progress Award”, GPA.PESGSPC, USA in 2017.

6. Awarded as The Photographer of the Year, 2002, by the famous Media House, Naidunia group of publications.

7. Photographs on theme “Sadhu” exhibited by Photo Club “Espoir Pessacals”, France as guest of Honour Photographer.

8. Founder of Photolovers Photographic Society. Have organized 16 International Photography Circuits so far, including 4 Grand Circuits.

9. Photolovers Circuits have a rare honour of having received 5 Star rating which is awarded by FIAP to world exhibitions, for 6 of Photolovers Circuit Catalogues, which NO other Exhibition could achieve in India so far. These were published as Coffee Table Books by Photolovers and are rated as best in the country. Now, since last few years, for cost and postage considerations, only PDF/CD catalogues are being prepared.

10. Have organized One man Photography Exhibition named ‘SADHU’ in which 100 excellent photographs on the theme ‘Sadhu’ were displayed, the exhibition was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of M.P. at Bharat Bhawan, Bhopal. One more, one man exhibition on Tigers has been organized.  

11. Helping young and aspiring photographers to achieve National and International Photography honors by guiding them to prepare their images and portfolios for these honors.

12. Was Working Committee member of the Federation of Indian Photography during 1997-99 period.

13. Few thousand photographs on wide variety of subjects have been accepted and exhibited in many Salons across the world. Listing them properly has been in my ‘wish list’ for few decades now, hope to do it someday, same with list of Awards!

14. Have won many awards including Gold Medals of FIAP, PSA and Gold Trophy, Silver Medals, Bronze Medals and many other medals and trophies and many Honourable Mentions, Certificates of Merit etc.

15. Photographs have been published in many news papers and magazines including “Dharmyug”, “Saptik Hindustan”, “Illustrated Weekly of India”, “Dinmaan”, “keynote”, “Swagat” etc etc., in addition to publications in many Photography Salon Catalogues.

16. Working as member of Jury in many International Salons since 1984, can’t tell the number now but they are many.

17. Have published limited edition Photo Books on Ghats of Varanasi and Kumbh. 

--Dr. Pankaj Sharma

-Great Masters- A Milestone in Photography : S. Paul

-Great Masters-

A Milestone in Photography

S. Paul

Born on the 19^th of August 1930 in Jhang (Now in Pakistan), S. Paul was an internationally acclaimed photographer of India.  He is known as one of the pioneers of photo journalism in country. After the partition his family moved to India. Having completed his education he started doing a job in Shimla as an Engineering Draftsman. While doing his stay in Shimla he purchased a Camera and started clicking the subjects of his choice. He used to take help of photography books and the owner of a photo studio to polish his skills. As he was a hard-working man, he gradually trained himself as a good photographer.

Later in 1962 Mr. Paul joined the reputed news paper of country, The Indian Express at Delhi. Very soon his pictures started getting popularity and subsequently he became CHIEF OF THE PHOTO DEPARTMENT in this publication. The key characteristic of his photographs was the story telling value which set him apart from others. His works were narratives in themselves. The reason behind this was that he used to put his heart and soul in his images. While doing work with The Indian Express he established himself as a photographer par excellence. He remained with this publication till 1988.

Mr. Paul always thought himself a learner. He firmly believed in regular practice. He used to say, “A little gap in practice can take us far away from our path.” He always kept his camera with him. Whenever he found an object worth clicking, he never missed the opportunity. He was very much quick in clicking. As soon as he saw the subject, he clicked immediately. This quality is seen in very few people. His deep patience and attachment with his work made him a legend. He is a role model for photography lovers. He left for his heavenly abode in 2017. He is not among us today, but his life history has set an example for all photography enthusiasts. His masterpieces will always be a source of inspiration for all those who love photography. 

 The ace photographer Padmashree Raghu Rai is his younger brother. Mr. Rai had started learning photography in 1962 under the guidance of S. Paul Ji.

A number of reputed awards and recognitions go to his credit. This is worth mentioning that his name is among the most awarded photographers of India at International level. Many of his photographs have been the part of esteemed publications.

 Few Achievements of S. Paul

1. First Indian to have been profiled with a portfolio of four pictures by the World’s oldest and most prestigious THE BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHOTOGRAPHY ANNUAL 1967 followed by another portfolio with article in such short space of time in the 1969 edition (U.K)

2. First Indian to win NIKON INTERNATIONAL PHOTO CONTEST in 1971. 7 more awards in different years (JAPAN).

3. A record 7 pictures published in PHOTOGRAPHY YEARBOOK 1990 U.K. (A collection of years best pictures from the world over) since its inception in 1935.

4. FIRST PRIZE in the BALLANTINE’S FINEST INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY AWRDS (U.K) on the theme “THE INSPIRATIONAL IMAGE”.

5. FIRST PRIZE in the POPULAR PHOTOGRAPHY MILLENIUM PHOTO CONTEST (60,000 pictures submitted from the world over) U.S.A

6. FIRST & SECOND PRIZE in the 7^th SARC countries Photo Contest by UNICEF on the theme “GIRL CHILD”

7. 14 DAYS visit to BULGARIA, TOP AWARD in 1979 in the world’s biggest Photo Contest on “HUMOUR” pictures (BULGARIA).

8. GRAND PRIZE in the UNESCO’S ASIA & PACIFIC Countries Contest on theme “PEOPLE AT WORK” (JAPAN).

9. 1^ST PRIZE SANCTUARY ASIA MLLENIUM Contest on “WILD-LIFE”.

10. 1^ST PRIZE MEN AT WORK in the AGFANET INTERNATIONAL Photo Contest (GERMANY).

11. GOLD MEDAL in 48^th & 49^th International Photo Exhibitions of JAPAN.

12. FIRST COVER STORY on an Indian Photographer in the FOTOGRAFIE magazine of GERMANY.

13. WORLD PRESS PHOTO, NETHERLAND BROUGHT OUT A COLLECTION OF 40 YEARS BEST PHOTOGRAPHS: “THIS CRITICAL MIRROR” IN 1995. IT HAD ONLY 2 INDIAN PICTURES, of which one of them is mine.

14. EPSON INTERNATIONAL AWARD (JAPAN) SECOND PRIZE, an invitation to Japan, DECEMBER 2004.

15. THE FIRST INDIAN TO BE PROFILED WITH 5 PICTURES IN THE B & W MAGAZINE U.S.A, DECEMBER, 2004,(For collectors)

16. WORLD”S MOST PRESTIGIOUS B & W SPIDER AWARDS 2006, ON THE CATEGORY “FINE-ART” & “SILLHOUTTE”.

17. BIRD WATCHER MAGAZINE (U.K.) WILD BIRDS PHOTO CONTEST NOVEMBER 2004 – TOP PRIZE IN BIRD BEHAVIOUR CATEGORY

18. WORLD”S MOST PRESTIGIOUS B & W SPIDER AWARDS 2007, SECOND PRIZE IN FASHION PLUS SIX MORE PICTURES ON OTHER THEMES.

19. FIRST PRIZE ON THEME ‘COMMUNITY’ IN THE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR CONTEST 2005 BY THE WHAT DIGITAL CAMERA MAGAZINE (U.K.).

20. The B&W magazine USA, supposedly the most prestigious photography magazine (whose each issue is a collector’s item) has labeled him Henry Cartier Bresson of India in their magazine and the website December 2004.

 21. B&W ANNUAL SINGLE – IMAGE CONTEST INTERNATIONAL 2007- THE ONLY PERSON IN THE WORLD TO HAVE WON FOUR AWARDS.

 22. THE WORLD’S GREATEST BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY BOOK (2007) HAS PUBLISHED HIS FIVE PHOTOGRAPHS (TOTAL 7 FROM INDIA), JUDGED BY 47 MOST RESPECTED NAMES FROM SEVERAL COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD.

 23. S.PAUL, has been conferred the newly constituted National Award viz :-LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN PHOTOGRAPHY by the MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING, GOVT. of INDIA, which the VICE PRESIDENT of India, Dr. Ansari gave to him on the 19th August 2010 (which incidentally is his birthday) and is celebrated internationally as THE WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY DAY.

24. He was appointed as the Chairman of the Jury, to nominate awardees for the LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN PHOTOGRAPHY by the MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING, GOVT. of INDIA in 2012.

25. HELD TWO ONE MAN SHOWS AT NEW DELHI ON THE MAX MULLAR BHAVAN’S INVITATION, and one each AT STUTTGART, BONN & BERLIN, by invitation, GERMANY, one at Chandigarh.

 26. A massive book called ‘MADE IN INDIA’ about the ART and CULTURE of India, published in France in 2008, carried 2 of his award winning photographs.

27. Pictures published in the COLOR MAGAZINE PORTFOLIO AWARDS SPECIAL ISSUE 2009 U.S.A, portfolio consisting of three color picture.

28. Pictures published in the TIME U.S.A, NEWSWEEK USA, STERN Germany, THE TIMES London.

29. Pictures published in several editions of the following “ANNAULS”, which carries World’s Best Photographs yearly like, PHOTOGRAPHY YEAR BOOK U.K, THE BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHOTOGRAPHY U.K, 35MM PHOTOGRAPHY USA, WOMEN ANNAUL USA, FOTOJAHRBUCH GERMANY, FOTO ALMANACH INTERNATIOAL GERMANY, PHOTOGRAPHY OF THE WORLD JAPAN, U.S CAMERA ANNAUL etc.

 (Information and Pictures Courtesy: Mr. Dheeraj Paul)

--Dr. Pankaj Sharma