In the heart of Lucknow, a city steeped in over centuries of history, resides a man whose life has been dedicated to capturing moments in time.
Ravi Kapoor is a renowned photographer and an avid camera collector who has spent decades honing his craft. Ravi dedicates his photographic journey to 3Gs in his life.
Guru: Shri T. N. Jetley
Grandfather: Shri Mani Ram Kapoor
Godfather: Shri Subhash Jain
Kapoor’s shots of important Lucknow landmarks have been featured not just in newspapers and magazines but also in over a dozen specially commissioned coffee table books as well as exclusive wings of government buildings and projects.
His studio, Ravi Photographics, is in Kapoorthala, the commercial heart of Aliganj in Lucknow, is also home to an impressive collection of more than 1,000 cameras. It’s also where he conducts classes for young aspiring photographers.
In many ways, the story of Ravi Kapoor is not just about photography; it’s a testament to passion, adaptability, and the evolving art of visual storytelling.
It began, as most important things in life do, on an ordinary December day in 1978 when young Kapoor bought himself a camera. “It cost me Rs 74,” he recollects with a smile, “And I spent another Rs 12 for the case and Rs. 13 for two 120 rolls containing 12 shot each. ” Armed with that Agfa Click III and two film reels that only had 12 frames each, Kapoor set out on a journey of a lifetime.
Ravi’s love for Lucknow is evident in his work and words. “If I didn’t exist, Lucknow would still exist, but if Lucknow didn’t, I wouldn’t,” he muses, highlighting the symbiotic relationship between the artist and his muse. His favourite subjects, the Vidhan Sabha, Raj Bhavan, and several other landmarks stand as testaments to the city’s rich architectural heritage.
As he continues to capture the essence of Lucknow and beyond, Ravi Kapoor stands as a bridge between the rich history and ever expanding dimensions of a fast growing city at the threshold of becoming a modern metropolis.
