Mr. Mohan Ranade
Mohan Ranade Photography
A Cut Above the Rest : While those who “shoot and frame” things from products to processes and portraits with relative ease number in the hundreds, the tribe narrows sharply when it’s about mastering composition, creativity, and the perfect use of lighting. Among the select few is Mohan Ranade, a name today synonymous with still photography, product shoots, and portraits that carry the touch of timelessness. As for the portraits, Mohan’s speciality lies in making them appear like paintings!
A professional photographer since 1989, Mohan is not just another man with a camera but an entrepreneur who has painstakingly carved his space in the demanding yet rewarding world of commercial photography. What differentiates him is his innate creativity, burnished further with technical precision, and a relentless pursuit for perfection.
From Graphic Design to Photography
An alumnus of Pune’s prestigious Abhinav College, Mohan graduated in graphic designing but shifted to photography, his passion and a lucrative, paying field. “Even the best graphic artists struggled to survive,” he recalls. Photography opened new opportunities. With a handful of college contacts working with agencies, he began receiving regular assignments.
Formal training in industrial and product photography was unheard of back then. Mohan, the ever resourceful, learnt things on-the-job while assisting senior and renowned photographers in Mumbai and Nagpur. He also attended seminars and, above all, experimented extensively. This hunger for learning became the cornerstone of his career.
His Forte: Stills, then and now
Over three decades in the field, Mohan has stayed true to his first (and only) love: still photography that spans industrial shoots, product campaigns, and jewellery, diamond and food photography. Unlike contemporaries who diversified into video, he deliberately chose to stay still with stills.
“A single frame, lit and composed perfectly, tells more without movement,” he says. It is this clarity that makes his work stand out.
His Signature Style: Photos That Need No Editing
Every photographer has a hallmark. For Mohan, it’s his ability to get things correct before the final click: no airbrushing, no editing, no changes, his USP.
“Before I click, I ensure composition and lighting are flawless. That way, clients get to use the pictures right away, saving both time and money,” he explains. This discipline comes from initial days when everything had to be perfect before pressing the shutter.
In the present era where most rely on software and systems, Mohan insists that creativity cannot be outsourced or exchanged for software. The latter, he insists,“is a support, never a substitute for the photographer’s eye,” he says.
Overcoming Struggles & Building Credibility :
Mohan’s entrepreneurial journey has seen its share of challenges. Equipment was expensive, and family income limited. His tryst with photography began with borrowed lights and a basic camera, slowly building his own equipment collection as assignments grew. With his career moving on with its share of highs and lows, one thing has remained constant: the family’s rock-like support, despite their modest income and resources.
Another hurdle was perception. In the 1980s and 1990s, photography was synonymous with weddings. “People compared my industrial photography fees of Rs. 2000 per shoot with Rs. 12 per wedding picture,” he laughs. Much of his early effort went into educating clients about the value of product and advertising photography.
Milestones Along the Journey
Recognition followed in time. In the mid-1990s, Mohan won advertising photography awards, including a 1st Prize in 1995. His work was showcased for three consecutive years by the Lalit Kala Academy.
He is among the few to have attended an exclusive workshop for Sinar, the legendary Swiss camera prized for industrial and product photography. Few in India get exposure to such advanced tools.
His clientele speaks for itself. Spanning industries as far apart as pharmaceuticals, where Emcure Pharmaceuticals and its high-profile leaders, including Namita Thapar, are regular, the other end of the spectrum consists of some of Pune’s most iconic jewellers. For over a decade, Pune’s largest hoardings displayed PNG Brothers’ iconic diamond collections through his photographs. Another brand that he has helped shine the spotlight on is Pune’s Gautam Banerjee Jewellery.
Portraits That Resemble Paintings :
In 2000, Mohan introduced family portraits that look like paintings, a unique concept that caught on and brought him media coverage in Sakaal. With their artistic depth, these portraits blend photography with the aesthetics of fine art, creating timeless heirlooms for families who possess them.
Photography Then, Now & Ahead
Mohan has witnessed photography’s transformation first-hand from insistence on 100% precision before the final click during the film era to digitization of photography to the present Ai-backed creations. He says firmly “AI will change photography, just like digital did. But only those who use it creatively will thrive. Creativity cannot be coded or eroded,”
That said, he does acknowledge that demand for industrial/product shoots has reduced, with many opting for digital renderings or social media-ready visuals. Yet, he remains confident that for campaigns, hoardings, and high-value products, still-photography of high quality will remain irreplaceable.
Guiding the Next Generation :
Mohan’s advice to young photographers is refreshingly simple: “Don’t confuse tools with creativity. Software can’t substitute a camera and AI isn’t creativity. Use these as supports with your own eye and imagination leading the way.”
Leaving a Legacy in Frames
From shooting early portfolios for actors like Upendra Limaye and Sonali Kulkarni, to crafting campaigns for pharma companies and jewellery giants, Mohan Ranade’s career is a story of persistence, passion, and precision.
Contact : +919822025243
Email : mranade1@gmail.com
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/studiotheportrait/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/mohanranadephotography/
LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohan-ranade-38939817/
Photo Credit :
Mohan Ranade Photography, Amey Gokhale, Vinod, Akshay
