TITLE: Eaglehunter Huanjol, Last of his Name

“Own your identity. Love who you are in the world. Love your deafness.” – said Nyle DiMarco. For thousands of years, nomadic hunters used birds of prey as a valuable hunting companion across the northern steppes from Eurasia to China. It was fundamental for the acquisition of food and furs in the harsh, unforgiving winter months. The relationship between the hunter and the eagle is forged when the eagle was a wee eaglet and the image symbolizes a trusted bond between the two. Here is eagle hunter Huanjol, a legendary master in the traditional art & knowledge (tak) of taming eagles. He has no children. His unique training method, as emphasized by an elder eagle master, is at risk of being lost.

AUTHOR: Apostolos Kaloudis (Greece)

Apostolos Kaloudis sees himself as an adventurer/explorer rather than a photographer. His passion for exploration has been significantly influenced by his studies in Medieval History, which sparked his fascination with the intricate narratives and details of military campaigns. This enthusiasm has motivated him to journey through remote regions, including the Silk Road, the vast steppes and deserts of Central Asia and northern China, as well as former Himalayan kingdoms.

In 2015, he became a member of the National Geographic Global Community (NatGeoyourShot), which provided a daily curated selection of high-quality visual storytelling. His strong desire to understand the world and its diverse cultures has drawn him toward documentary, cultural, and humanitarian portraiture, along with architecture (including historical monuments and sites).

Since then, he has received awards in various competitions, such as Prix de la Photographie de Paris, Finalist at Head On Photo Awards, Tokyo International Awards, Vienna International Photo Award, ND Magazine Awards, Budapest International Foto Awards, IPPOTY. His work has been published in magazines such as Eyeshot Magazine, AAP Magazine, Dodho Magazine, Better Photography Magazine, F-STOP Magazine, Fotonostrum. His work has been exhibited in many cities around the world such as N.Y, Paris, London, Rome, Milan, Sydney, Berlin, Minneapolis, Glasgow, Barcelona, Bologna, Athens, Tbilisi…