Achal Kumar Photography

Achal Kumar Galhotra

As a second generation photographer in my family, based in New Delhi, India, I initially learnt photography from my father Shri Santosh Santosh (art photographer himself who has been published, exhibited and awarded in India and abroad). Later on, I sharpened my skills under the guidance of great Indian photography masters such as S Paul and T Kashinath. (father’s contemporaries). Received my first box camera at the age of 7; a German range finder at 10; and then next was the Japanese Ashi Pentex SLR by the age of 12. Thereafter, I mastered the art of black & white photography along with developing and photo printing techniques in studio at home by the age of 13. Recipient of “National Academy Award” for excellence in Photography by National Academy of Arts, New Delhi. India. Visiting Professor (Photography) at (MCRC) Jamai School of Mass Communications, New Delhi. India, been a Jury Member for National Exhibition 2010.


Video on Recent Exhibition on 100 years of New Delhi http:/​/​www.​youtube.​com/​watch?v=ktzgmiQ6S38


Education


Schooling at D P S (Delhi Public School), Mathura Road, New Delhi

College: An Alumni of Hindu College, Delhi University. New Delhi


Awards, Competitions, Publications & Exhibitions
1997
National Academy Award
National Exhibition of Photography
Lalit Kala Akademi
(National Academy of Arts)
New Delhi. India


Jury Appointment: National Exhibition of Arts 2009, Kolkata in January 2010, at Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi. India

Publication & Award Winner in Popular Photography 1995 International World Wide Contest; in this competition only 77 pictures were selected from of more than 70,000 submissions worldwide.

Solo Exhibition Inspired by the Beauty of Nature, Shridharini Art Gallery, Triveni Kala Sangam. 1996. New Delhi. India

Solo Exhibition Inspired by 100 years of New Delhi, Capital of India 2011, commissioned by Government of India

Exhibition & Award Ballantines International Photography competition 1996. London. U.K

Published Art Unlimited, Amsterdam, 1998


Exhibition City Scapes, All India Exhibition, British Council 1997

Exhibition Reflections, Aperture Gallery, London, 1998


Exhibition Been a part of other numerous group shows over the years (2000 to 2006)

Exhibition Tigers of Ranthambore, by Ranthambore School of Arts, with the Times of India Group, New Delhi. India, April 2008

Exhibition Monsoon Show, Alliance Francaise, August 2008,New Delhi, India

Exhibition Spring Show in year 2010

Art Auctions in India WWF Fundraisers auction and exhibition , 2005-2006, New Delhi

Exhibition Aperture Gallery, London, U.K., 2000



Professional Experience

Worked (Freelance) as Page 1 Photographer with The Times Of India,
1999 – 2002, New Delhi

Worked (Freelance) as feature photographer for The Delhi Times, 1999 – 2002, New Delhi

Worked (Freelance) Photographer with the Hindustan Times H.T.City in featured by- line weekly columns 2002 – 2004 on Modelling and Fashion.
New Delhi

Articles & features published in national newspapers and magazines, India and abroad

Photographs published in major national and international publications, focused on collaboration with top models, jewellers, and dress designers for regular fashion / commercial photography assignments


Current Philanthropic / Social Projects

W W F (World Wildlife Fund) India; regularly donate pictures and prints for promotion of conservation, and for their fundraising art auctions

Tammana: School for Autistic Children, New Delhi
Help the organisation in their fundraising efforts and as their media advisor along with undertaking the photography for their brochures and catalogues.

For the NGO, a thought-provoking photography exhibition highlighting the life of autistic children to motivate people to come forward to understand and reach out to them is in the planning.

A F A: Action For Autism: (New Delhi, India)
Guiding them in their fundraising activities and as their media advisor.
An exhibition of my artworks for their benefit is in the planning.



Member

Environment Protection Group: India International Centre,
Lodhi Road, New Delhi

India Habitat Centre: Visual Art Gallery, Photography Section.
Lodhi Road, New Delhi

Teaching Activities

2007 – present : Scheduled private workshops in collaboration with the Visual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi

2008 – present: Visiting Faculty ,at Jamia Milia University, School of Mass Communications, New Delhi

Contact
House 258, Sector 31, Gurgaon, Haryana 122001
(National Capital Region)
Phone no’s :98110 24642, 91 124 4047272
Email: [email protected], [email protected]