How did your interest in wildlife arise?
My journey into the world of wildlife began after my marriage. My husband gifted me a Sony Cyber-shot camera on our first wedding anniversary. At that time, he was working as an assistant engineer with KSEB, the state-owned power provider. Interestingly, his office was in the middle of a forest. I was pursuing my PhD in physics at that time in Kottayam, my hometown. I used to visit his workplace during holidays and started clicking wildlife images from the forest there and posted them on Facebook. Many of my friends appreciated the pictures and urged me to buy a DSLR camera. Soon I bought a Canon 550D and a tele lens Tamron 70-300mm. I learnt the basics of photography and started experimenting with the camera. Slowly, I started clicking images with my new gear and my pictures started to get wide appreciation. A highlight was the image of a rare and elusive animal listed in IUCN’s red list — Nilgiri Marten (Martes gwatkinsii) from Sholayar Forest — which was the first sighting report of the species from that forest. Print and visual media gave extensive coverage to the story and my wildlife images became popular. That was the turning point in my wildlife photography journey.
How do you describe your journey as a photographer and a person?
I have been keen on giving care to animals from a very young age. I received the opportunity to help save injured animals and protect them. I firmly believe that it is our responsibility to protect those mute creatures. More than a passion, wildlife photography has enabled me to know many creatures and their behaviour in detail that taught me to appreciate animals more. This experience helped me spread awareness on the animals and the need to protect them. The frequent journeys to the wild and capturing its beauty will always keep a wildlife photographer close to nature. It allows us to understand more on the responsibility of man towards his fellow beings and nature. Moreover, woods and nature will help us shed the negative energy in our mind to a certain extent and keep it relaxed.
What is your view on Wildlife Conservation? How can we, as wildlife photographers, help to protect Mother Nature?
We cannot survive without depending on nature and that may cause minor damages to nature. But uncontrolled destruction will lead to disastrous effects. At times, even wildlife photographers too encroach on nature’s ecosystem. I believe that love for nature and other creatures is a must for wildlife photographers. Our photographs are not worth the life of a wild animal or its ecosystem. Wildlife photographers play a major role in bringing to the fore endangered species. Even the recent winning entries of the National Geography’s wildlife photography contest haa been of works that focused on endangered species. At the global level too, there has been an active debate going on about the endangered species on earth.
Can you give our readers the best wildlife photography tips?
I often believe that patience and discipline are must for any wildlife photographer. When we approach a forest, we must have the very basic understanding that we are entering an ecosystem where animals roam freely. Close observation should be the prime focus. We must approach wildlife patiently by understanding the rhythm of the forest and even the minor movements of animals. We must try not to cause trouble for the animals in our effort of photographing them. We can indeed capture rare and good pictures without disturbing the animals. Always avoid going to forests in groups. I always have a feeling that the forest at a time shows us only a few images from its chambers of mystery. It is sheer luck and patience that always comes to the aid of a wildlife photographer.
What plans do you have in the future related to Wildlife Photography?
One of my biggest dreams is to visit Papua New Guinea and capture the Birds-of-Paradise. The island is known for its paradise birds which dance and make beautiful nests to attract female birds. The rainforests and the landscape of these islands are a mystery. I have strong feelings towards avian creatures. I could capture more than 300 avian species over the years, a large number being nocturnal and endangered ones. My wish is to bring to the fore a lot of bird and animal species which are at the verge of extinction, thereby creating awareness on protecting them.
Tell us something about the gear you use and how it helped in your photographic journey?
I started my wildlife photography journey with a small Sony Cybershot camera. Later, I shifted to a DSLR – Canon 550D with tele lens100-400mm then to canon 7D mark2 and 5Dmark3. Now I use Nikon D850 with Nikkor 200-500mm.With expansive resolution, a capable autofocus system, fast burst shooting and great image quality under almost any situation, the D850 is the best one that I have ever used.
