104-year-old lensman gets lifetime achievement award

Patel started photography as a hobby but it became a profession after his interest came into conflict with his job. “He was a primary school teacher. One day an officer came for inspection and chided him after noticing he was carrying a camera and advised him to leave the job and open a photo studio. He left the next day,” said his grandson Gautam.

Patel opened a studio in Ahmedabad in 1932 which is run by Gautam now.

Patel travelled across India,capturing historical places,architectural wonders,images of the freedom struggle,wildlife,daily life,royal weddings. Doordarshan commissioned him for a photo documentary about historical places. He travelled to Kashmir and what his lens captured was later turned into a booklet,Kashmir,in 1940. “He was on first name basis with the likes of Sardar Patel,” Gautam said. Even now,Patel’s enthusiasm hasn’t waned. “He sits with students from National Institute of Design,NIFT etc to explain black and white photography,” Gautam said.