Capt Suresh Sharma

Wildlife photography entices all those who hang cameras around their neck. And with the advent of digital cameras, they have grown multi folds in last few years. Almost every photographer’s dream is to do wildlife photography, even if his primary profession is other branches of photography or a completely different profession. Why not? For it has glamour of its own! It surely has steep challenges, which many people love negotiating in life and that is what earns it all that glamour. Those who do not participate, they become ardent admirers of those who perform and achieve. This makes people drone all the time around wildlife photography. Also, nature has always been enticing most of us into its lap, where it has many wonders to unfold to those who dare. This bread of photographers, unfold the sensational mysteries of natural history as well, in fact makes wildlife photographers as ambassadors of wildlife conservation in true sense. Wildlife photography is like wooing a beautiful woman! Not all will be lucky to get her, in spite of the best chase.My purpose of writing here is, that most of us do not realize what makes a good wildlife photographer and that’s why very few are on top of the pyramid of wildlife photography. The first and foremost thing is one has to assess one’s own potential first i.e. one has to have access to wildlife, natural history knowledge, minimum average physical fitness, not to mention suitable camera equipment, etc. In spite of all this all are not lucky to make good wildlife photographs. Many get stuck with the compulsions of life (jobs and family). Then some are born with an eye of a good artist and have good discipline, are in the habit of getting up early, the ones who don’t love sleep much. So, that is how one makes it to one’s own niche. And have admirers too. Who doesn’t like?

Most of us, at infancy stage, think wildlife photography can only be done if one goes inside national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Though, I do not deny this fact that most of the wildlife today is there only in the parks and sanctuaries, but one has to know what all it involves to do wildlife photography of high quality. First of all, plenty of time and patience. Then comes good money to buy you a good set of camera equipment i.e. two camera bodies with high speed of `fps’ and higher mega pixels, professional lenses which are in the range of US$ 10,000 each, the best tripods (legs only will cost US$ 1000 and above) ball heads (US$ 1000 and above), not to mention numerous expensive accessories one need all the time. Next comes, expensive traveling by train or road to reach (long distances) the well protected wildlife areas having good wildlife to photograph. One needs advance bookings to check into a good lodge on arrival, which is safe for your equipment and looks after you well to ensure your comfort (you need that after hard work), costing Rs 2500 and above per day. While you start unpacking your camera boxes, someone has to check your vehicle for the jungle safari, which will cost you Rs 2000 per day only for the morning and evening jungle safaris. If you are serious about wildlife photography and have suitable camera gear, then there should be only one person in one vehicle, with one assistant. O, I forgot to mention the entry fees for the vehicle, yourself, driver, camera equipment (this can vary park to park), hire a guide for each trip, etc. All this adds up to minimum Rs 5000 plus, to do wildlife photography per day in any Indian parks and sanctuaries, including your lodge. Not to forget all the `red-tape’ and local skirmishes of the staff and locals, you will face in the field.

I am sure, you all will ask one question that if wildlife photography is so tough and then rewards are meager and that too not many, then why there are still some wildlife photographers who invest so much of money and efforts for this. You must see what all has gone into making them as big wildlife photographers of name, things `behind curtains’. Some of them are lucky to have their well paying businesses and having time too, some have been lucky to be around wildlife areas, some own lodges, some are paid to become one. Nothing has come into being overnight and so easily we all think, they all have worked very hard to their way up the ladder. Always, one must do that first which is within one’s reach, which means select a subject that is not far from your base (this way you cut cost of logistics, travel and no leave required from your job), your basic equipment can deliver good photos, etc. Everyone, makes a humble start and makes it way up as per its own capabilities and efforts.

Some are lucky to be working in and around the jungle lodges and resorts, next to national parks and wildlife areas, easy access to wildlife areas; most costs are reduced this way. Others have climbed the ladder slowly, through the standard grind of this profession. They all have worked very hard to reach where you see them shining like a star or sun.  Not realizing, what made them shine, trying to emulate aimlessly. One of the important things, one must have knowledge of natural history, most important assets one needs to have, to make a significant dent in this field.

Now, if you are a basic photographer like me (with limited resources), then turn around and peep into your backyard, balconies, city gardens, bushes, agricultural fields, there is plenty of wildlife, i.e. birds, insects, lizards, vegetation, etc. Let me remind you, this way, you will need equipment, which will cost you only one twentieth of that which is mentioned in the above paragraphs; even if you buy pro equipment (professional macro lens, 300mm lens with 2X, suitable tripod with ballhead, a flash, two camera bodies, etc.). If you are worth your salt, which all can not be, you will crawl up and the speed will commensurate to the size of your sincere efforts only.

At the end of the day, we all love to be rewarded which could be in terms of money (to support your expensive equipment and on-going upgradation all the time), publications for name, stock photo sales, etc. In case of wildlife photography, I find that the sale is too less when we compare it to other branches of photography i.e. life style, travel, fashion, etc. The demand is less and supply is more.

My aim here is not to discourage you, its to throw some light on the path which most of wish to tread in the years to come. You need an external support to sustain, if you wish to start working as wildlife photographer right from the beginning and nothing else. There are numerous examples, whose `first love’ is wildlife photography, but are fashion photographers which is so paying that it can buy them good equipment and can afford access to wildlife areas and can afford to take time off their primary profession. They do get rewarded well, as they have all that which helps them get good wildlife photos.

Life is too short to do experiments, but some love experimenting like me. But then I am very clear what I want in life, happiness, not by achieving big goals, but by doing what I like doing the most. I drifted into travel photography, as its so easy, take one wide angle lens and walk in the streets or a fair or cultural event, go around a monument, etc. I do nature which you can see as cactus photography, flower photography, snake photography, etc. on my website.

You are most welcome to write to me and I will try to answer your questions, if I am at my base and sitting `online’ then it happens very quick.