The ‘Ranjan Kundu Saga’ is a testament to relentless dedication, an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, and an artistic brilliance that transcends borders. His multifaceted expertise spanning technology, photography, and poetry, serves as an inspiration, echoing the narrative that true mastery knows no confines.

The ‘Ranjan Kundu Saga’, nicknamed ‘Mr. CHECKMATE’, The New York Photography Award 2023 Winner

Renowned as India’s most internationally award-winning photographer and celebrity photographer, Ranjan Kundu, the creative genius, is taking the world of international photography by storm. Ranjan Kundu, Nicknamed as ‘Mr. Checkmate’ for his globally acclaimed Photo-Poem Frame named “Checkmate”, a fusion of photography and poetry, has won several international awards and earned a reputation by exhibiting his work at prestigious photography arenas.

Poem: Checkmate

Checkmate By Ranjan Kundu

In a game of Chess,
Between Life and The Man of Imagination,
And, a life-full living being at the center,
And, the reflection of the dance Of the soul in its eyes.
Sun Vs Moon,
Day Vs Night,
Light Vs Darkness,
Truth Vs Illusion,
Hope Vs Despair,
Humane Vs Moneyist,
Love Vs Lust,
Realization Vs Revenge,
Salvation Vs Damnation.

In a game of Chess,
Between Life and The Man of Imagination,
And, a life-full living being at the centre,
And, the reflection of the dance
Of the soul in it’s eyes.

The Man of Imagination
Checkmates Life,
In the maze of Life,
In the form of a Chessboard.

Checkmate by

The Man of Imagination.

Ranjan Kundu secured his place as the First Indian photographer to Win the prestigious New York Photography Award in 2023. His name is enrolled in a list of notable achievements that have cemented his position as a pioneer in the field of photography. He also won the prestigious Platinum Award at the European Photography Awards 2023, which has added another achievement to his kitty. His journey began with the achievement of becoming the First Indian photographer to achieve the title of First Place Winner at the Umbra International Photography Awards 2018 in USA, which set the grand stage for his rise in the international photography arena.

Ranjan Kundu, the First Indian Photographer whose work was featured on the Front Cover of 6XMEDIA Magazine AUTUMN EDITION 2023 in Atlanta, USA and his interview was also published inside the magazine. His work was also featured on the front cover of Lamour Magazine Fashion Special Edition 2023 in Paris, France and his interview was also published inside the magazine. Ranjan Kundu became the first photographer to be the Cover Face of Xpert Magazine 30 Under 30 Special Edition, India and his interview was also published inside the magazine.

Ranjan Kundu’s incredible artistic talent was recognized by the prestigious Monovision Photography Awards for two consecutive years in 2019 and 2020, a result of his harmonious excellence and unique talent. His remarkable talent and artistic vision has earned him awards and recognition at renowned platforms such as ND Awards 2019, LensCulture Portrait Awards 2019, Monovision Photography Awards 2019, LensCulture Portrait Awards 2020, and Monovision Photography Awards 2020, cementing his position as one of the greatest photographers

In 2021, he earned awards and recognitions in the 16th Black & White Spider Awards, the 7th Fine Art Photography Awards (FAPA), and LensCulture Street Photography Awards 2021, where his immense talent and skills were showcased and appreciated by industry professionals.

Apart from the impressive spread of his name, Ranjan Kundu’s finest work has also received exposure in renowned exhibitions around the world. His photographs have graced prestigious platforms such as the Arhust London International Multimedia Exhibition 2019 in London, UK, 3rd ONYX 2019: International Exhibition of Photography in Romania, Odyssey Exhibition 2019 in Pennsylvania, USA, and Blank Wall Gallery 2023 Exhibition in Athens, Greece, leaving an unfading mark on audiences around the world.

Ranjan Kundu’s educational voyage traverses extraordinary realms. His academic repertoire boasts a Professional Diploma in NASA System Engineering, a B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering, and a Human Resource Management certification from the esteemed International Business Management Institute (IBMI) in Berlin, Germany. This thirst for knowledge led him to pursue a LEAN SIX SIGMA Certification from the Council for SIX SIGMA Certification (CSSC) in New York, USA, solidifying his technical and managerial prowess. Ranjan Kundu also has a Humanitarian Certification from UNICEF.

In the realm of Information Technology, Ranjan Kundu’s expertise gleams brightly. His certifications in IT programming, Network Communication, MySQL in RDBMS, ERP-SAP in Data Processing, and Network Communication Fundamentals attest to his comprehensive grasp of the field. His journey further expands into digital marketing and analytics, where he stands as a Google Certified Expert with certifications in Google Tag Manager, Google Analytics, Google Data Studio, Google My Business, Google Analytics 360, Google Analytics for Power Users, Advanced Google Analytics

Notably, Ranjan Kundu’s portfolio extends beyond marketing, encompassing certifications in CISSP, CCBA, CAPM, and PMI-ACP. Yet, his brilliance transcends the realms of technology. His expertise in Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) is reflected in certifications such as AR Game Development, VR Development with Controllers, and Game-Playing A.I. with S4TF from

IBM. His foray into these cutting-edge technologies cements his position as an innovator in transformative fields.

In honor of his wacky talent, Ranjan Kundu has cemented his position as one of the most versed photographers. His firm commitment to photography, intertwined with his creativity and passion for storytelling along with his photography skills, inspires aspiring photographers both in the world of international photography, and national photography.

In Ranjan Kundu’s story, boundaries dissolve, leaving a legacy of excellence and a roadmap for aspiring minds to chart their path toward boundless achievement.

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Smartphone maker OnePlus has unveiled its first-ever limited-edition Shot on OnePlus Book, titled The Red Perspective. “’The Red Perspective’ initiative serves as a testament to the OnePlus community and RCC members’ passion for photography and creative ambitions empowered by their OnePlus devices,” said the company.
The exclusive Red Perspective book presents a selection of carefully chosen visuals contributed by members of the Red Cable Club and the community, offering a glimpse into life from their unique perspectives.Covering a diverse array of themes, including macro photography, black and white captures, wildlife, nature, travel, and lifestyle imagery, the book provides a rich tapestry of visual storytelling.
Ishita Grover, director of marketing, OnePlus India, said, “We are thrilled to introduce our first-ever limited-edition Shot on OnePlus Book, ‘The Red Perspective’. The idea behind this unique Shot On OnePlus initiative is to encourage the creative ambitions of our talented OnePlus community and bring their perspectives and creative efforts to life through the power of OnePlus’ unparalleled camera capabilities.”
“Each photograph in ‘The Red Perspective’ is thoughtfully curated which instills deep emotion and transports viewers to captivating moments. The selection criteria prioritized the meaning alongside visual appeal. ‘The Red Perspective’ celebrates innovation and creativity, showcasing our community’s unique perspectives through photograph,” added the company.
The Red Perspective will soon be on display at chosen OnePlus Retail stores.

“While I’m very fortunate to work as a professional landscape photographer, it’s also really important to challenge yourself and find those personal projects that get your creative juices flowing. Being able to combine my photography with my love of being in wild and remote places, whether that be on a beach or in the mountains, is my perfect combination. With that in mind, I’ve been working on a series of images over the past couple of years that represent these wild places, where the weather often becomes an integral part of the image and contributes to the emotion that I felt whilst being there. 

Most of the images in this series are long exposures, ranging from 30 seconds to eight minutes. I use long exposure to remove unnecessary detail from the water and the sky. That allows me to create strong, simple compositions free of distractions. These images were all taken in challenging weather conditions, whether that was a blizzard in Senja, storms in Lofoten or gale-force winds in Iceland, while the image from Harris in the Outer Hebrides was taken on a much more ‘normal’ Scottish day, which was simply cold and wet! As you can see, I’m drawn to those colder and more rugged locations.

The biggest challenge in a project like this is keeping the gear as dry as possible, particularly the front of the filters that I almost always use, along with ensuring my own safety, especially when balancing on the rocks with big waves coming in with the storm, as they did in Uttakleiv in Lofoten. 

When I was in Iceland recently, the main road that runs around the country, called Route One, had been closed for a 200km section for nearly two days due to gale-force winds. After being stuck for 36 hours at Vestrahorn, I managed to get to Diamond Beach, and I was the only person there. I had to sleep in the back of the car as it rocked and rolled, and I cooked my dinner in the nearby gents’ toilets. But the dawn light was amazing and it was a true privilege to experience the rawness of nature.

In terms of kit, I like to keep it relatively simple and light, preferring to use a couple of lenses that I know really well and know how they’ll perform. I use a Nikon Z 7, often paired with the Z 24-70mm f/4 S zoom and a PC-E 24mm f/3.5 tilt-shift lens, which I absolutely love for its optical quality. I also use the Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S ultra-wide zoom when I need something wider as it’s also fabulous. The weather-sealing is top class, it’s never let me down over all the years I’ve used it, along with my previous Nikon gear. When this setup is paired with my LEE ND filters, I’m able to capture my signature long-exposure images. 

I think this is one of those series that won’t be finished for quite some time, as it’s not every day you get the right combination of weather, tides and light. Of course, this is part of the attraction in going for something that is both challenging to achieve and very satisfying when you get the feeling that you’ve captured something a bit special”.  

About John Miskelly

Follow John Miskelly on Instagram, Facebook and his website 

Stepping into Apertures’ new location on 11th Street is nostalgia for the senses, from the familiar smell of photography chemicals to the midcentury design of its storefront located on historic Route 66. Since opening in 1990, this is the third move for the locally owned photography shop. 

“This is where we are supposed to be,” says Mary Beth Leach, part owner of Apertures. “It just feels right, as both (Apertures and Route 66) represent a vintage era.”

Apertures was founded by Leach’s aunt right before digital photography changed the industry forever. Leach started working at the store when she was a teenager. 

“We mainly developed film and printed pictures when we first opened,” Leach says. “While we are still one of the only local labs to still work with film, we have also embraced the times and technology advances of photography, which has allowed us to remain in business for over three decades.” 

Apertures’ offerings include a photography studio, a darkroom available for rent, large format archival printing, new and used camera accessories and equipment, and now one of its most popular offerings — classes open to the public. 

“We offer classes covering all things photography, from how to take digital photos and use Adobe Photoshop to darkroom film developing and lighting techniques.” 

The digital photography class is by far the most requested, according to Leach. 

“Digital cameras are not exactly intuitive, and this class allows people to ask questions and get hands-on instructions, which is the best way to improve your photography skills.” 

Classes are offered throughout the year, and the schedule can be found on the shop’s website. 

Photographers can drop off color and black and white film for the Apertures staff to develop. They average about 100 rolls per week, Leach says, with development typically happening Tuesdays and Thursdays. Digital scans of prints and film also are available.

Shop Favorites

Pre-owned lenses and cameras, $100-$600. 

Mug, $10.

Film, $7-$20.

The M+ curatorial team has “always been fascinated by the cinematic quality of Girard’s photography”, says assistant curator Savannah Shiu.

“Each of his photographs testifies of a particular interest in time. By capturing the decisive moment of a found situation or staged scene, he invites viewers to imagine what could have happened before and after.”

Shiu says that “bringing these scenes to life in a sequence, in combination with sound and film extracts”, aligned with the vision of both Girard and the museum’s curatorial team.

Girard, 69, now lives in Vancouver, the city of his birth, but maintains a strong bond with the city that “made” him an esteemed photographer.

“Hong Kong Made Me” also features a performance by experimental post-punk band Gong Gong Gong, which was formed in Beijing in 2015 by Hong Kong-born vocalist-bassist Tom Ng and Montreal-born guitarist Joshua Frank.

Drawing inspiration from African blues and techno to create eclectic sounds with Cantonese lyrics, the duo – who performed at Hong Kong’s Clockenflap music festival in December 2023 – have a loyal following among the city’s indie music fans.

“It was Girard’s suggestion [to pick the band],” Shiu says. “We liked the idea due to Gong Gong Gong’s own strong engagement with the city and experimental take on post-punk music that is evocative of Hong Kong cinema, as if they were telling a story with secret agents, action and car-chasing scenes.”

Shiu adds that the photographer and the band have been working in close collaboration on the project, and that it will be an exceptional sensory experience for those who enjoy old Hong Kong vibes and alternative music.

“Greg Girard: Hong Kong Made Me” May 11, 4pm. Grand Staircase, M+ Museum, 38 Museum Drive, West Kowloon Cultural District. Standard tickets HK$120, available on mplus.org.hk.

Imagine dozing off under the shade of a tree after a taxing day out in the sun, only to wake up to the gentle nudge of a wild cheetah snuggling against you. This isn’t the start of a fable or a campfire story. It’s what happened to Dolph Volker, a wildlife photographer and animal enthusiast, during one of his volunteering stints at Cheetah Experience, a sanctuary for endangered species in South Africa.

Volunteering with a Purpose

Dolph’s journey with animals began much like anyone’s affection for their pets. After the loss of his beloved dog, Dolph found a renewed mission in life: advocating for animal rights and raising awareness about endangered species. His commitment led him to Cheetah Experience, where lions, leopards, servals, and of course, cheetahs find refuge from the threats they face in the wild.

A Nap to Remember

The memorable encounter took place on a particularly sunny day, when all Dolph wanted was a brief escape from the relentless sun. He found solace under a tree, not knowing that he would soon share his makeshift bed with a curious cheetah named Eden. As he slept, Eden approached him, likely intrigued by his presence, and decided to settle next to him for a nap. The slight nudges from Eden eventually woke Dolph, who was stunned but delighted by the trust and affection shown by this majestic creature.

Capturing the Moment

With his camera by his side, Dolph didn’t miss the opportunity to document this extraordinary event. The photos and videos he captured show Eden displaying an unexpected gentleness, nuzzling against him, playfully biting, and even licking him. These tender interactions have not only strengthened his bond with the cheetahs he works to protect but have also made him a beacon of hope for animal conservationists worldwide.

An Ambassador for Cheetahs

Often referred to as “the cheetah charmer,” Dolph uses his platform, including a YouTube channel, to share insights into the behavior of these fast, fascinating felines. His stories and visuals help educate people about the plight of cheetahs, which are among the most threatened felines in Africa due to poaching and habitat loss.

This experience beautifully illustrates the surprising ways in which wildlife can interact with humans when given respect and space. For Dolph, it was a poignant reminder of why he dedicates his life to these creatures: to ensure that future generations will not only know of them through photos and videos but will be able to experience their grace in the wild. Such moments of connection underscore the urgency and beauty of wildlife conservation.