Mahmoud Kalari, photographer, and cinematographer, was born in Tehran. Kalari took a specialized course in photography knowledge and technique in New York and has photographed at Sigma International Photo News Agency in Paris. In 1978, he had the first solo exhibition of his photographs in Tehran University's Obeid Hall under the title "Story of Human's Loneliness." In 1980, Kalari's name was included in the list of the 15 best photographers of the year in The Times magazine. In addition, his photos have been published in the prestigious press in countries such as France and Germany. Kalari returned to Iran in 1984 and worked as the secretary of the photography unit of National Television. He also taught photography at the invitation of the Faculty of Fine Arts in Tehran. Kalari's film activities also began in the same year. Filming the movie "Cold Roads," directed by Masoud Jafari Jozani, was his first experience, which brought him the award for the best cinematography of the Fajr Festival. He has managed important and large projects as the most prominent Iranian film director. The film "Children of the Sky" directed by Majid Majidi, the movie A Separation by Asghar Farhadi, "Beed Majnoon" by Kamal Tabrizi, "House on the Water" by Bahman Farmanara, "Gabe" by Mohsen Makhmalbaf, etc. are among the most famous films filmed by Kalari. He has also independently made two movies named "Clouds and Sun" and "Dance with Dreams." Cloud and Sun were screened at the Montreal and Chicago festivals and won the best film award at the Mar del Plata Film Festival (Argentina).
Kalari has expressed his interest in photography many times and mentioned it as the gateway to the cinema. Because the photo helps the mind to transform the 3D living reality into a 2D world. In his opinion, people must focus on photography. This makes photography give them more than just technical skills.