FRAMES AND HUES

MASTERCRAFTS MAN

- Sujith Gopinath

Dheeraj Paul

Dheeraj Paul was born in 1974 in Delhi into one of the most well-known and respected photography families in India. He has a vast experience in editorial and advertising photography spanning close to three decades. He is a prominent and acknowledged voice in the contemporary photography community in India with his mentorship influencing new and upcoming photographers. He is also the brand ambassador for Sony Alpha photography and the Founding Director at Indian Photo Tours where he leads guided photo expeditions and masterclass for photo enthusiasts.

With a goal to capture moments in daily life, Dheeraj specialises in people, travel, fine-art, food and architecture photography. He also teaches advanced photography at the AJK Mass Communication and Research Centre at the Jamia Milia Islamia University of Delhi.

He has been a part of the jury for the International Sony Photography Awards 2014 and 2015. He has also been invited thrice in a row for the International Jury by the Humanity Photo Awards 2009, 2011 and 2013 in China co-organised by UNESCO. His work has been critically and widely acclaimed. Dheeraj has a wide range of published books in his name and has earned several prestigious international accolades.

Your father S. Paul was one of the pioneers of photography in India. Given that background, what is your memory of picking up a camera for the first time? I was always inspired by legendary craftsman SPaul sahib’s grandeur. Photography for him was bigger than earning a living out of the profession. He was always indulged in creating images with various modern cameras and lenses. During my childhood days I had been playing with almost each one of them. Cameras were like my toys.