A man who comes across as a very unassuming character who has painted his world and evocatively captured life through his lens. An up-close glimpse of an award winning prolific wildlife photographer…“Patience is the name of the game!” An exclusive interview with one of India's finest wildlife photographers – Sandeep Dutta, ARPS
How did you come to being a wildlife photographer? Its been a hobby which grew on me, over time. I used to trek a lot in my younger days and trekking through various forests in North India got me close to nature. The beauty of nature is what made me get behind a lens to capture them. Like many others, I started my photography journey with a point-and-shoot film camera but moved to my 1st SLR in 2004. The DSLR and telephoto gear followed suit in 2006 and been spending more and more time in various forests since then. |
SANDEEP DUTTA
What inspires you to photograph wildlife?
The jungle is full of surprises! It’s the sheer feel of the jungle and the excitement of observing natural history moments that wants you to keep going back. Wildlife Photography inspires my love for wildlife and an intense desire to protect it.
I grew up in Delhi and my first trip to magical Dhikala in late nineties was most memorable. We saw a tiger in the night from our log hut and that memory is permanently etched on my mind. It was a defining moment which made me a nature lover forever. Today, I believe my photographs help me connect people with the natural world around them and ignite love for wildlife.
What gear do you use and what is the best equipment for wildlife?
I have multiple combinations: I use and have been with Nikon for a long time and BTW, Nikon offered me NPS membership last year. I have camera bodies (all Nikon) ranging from D4 to D3S and D800 and use many lenses in the wild - 600mm F/4, 300 mm 2.8, 70-200 and 105 Macro etc..
Best equipment for wildlife - short answer is anything that can capture the moment! But it really depends on your budget and the type of photography. While a 600/800 mm is good for birding, a 200-400mm (plus a TC) could be a very good one-body-one-lens combo. In today's world, one can easily rent equipment and experiment to figure out the right combination that works for you.
The jungle is full of surprises! It’s the sheer feel of the jungle and the excitement of observing natural history moments that wants you to keep going back. Wildlife Photography inspires my love for wildlife and an intense desire to protect it.
I grew up in Delhi and my first trip to magical Dhikala in late nineties was most memorable. We saw a tiger in the night from our log hut and that memory is permanently etched on my mind. It was a defining moment which made me a nature lover forever. Today, I believe my photographs help me connect people with the natural world around them and ignite love for wildlife.
What gear do you use and what is the best equipment for wildlife?
I have multiple combinations: I use and have been with Nikon for a long time and BTW, Nikon offered me NPS membership last year. I have camera bodies (all Nikon) ranging from D4 to D3S and D800 and use many lenses in the wild - 600mm F/4, 300 mm 2.8, 70-200 and 105 Macro etc..
Best equipment for wildlife - short answer is anything that can capture the moment! But it really depends on your budget and the type of photography. While a 600/800 mm is good for birding, a 200-400mm (plus a TC) could be a very good one-body-one-lens combo. In today's world, one can easily rent equipment and experiment to figure out the right combination that works for you.
Probably the most challenging subject for cameras is wildlife. Whether it is digital or film, Tigers or flycatchers, the quest for the perfect shot is endless. It is not like photographing a building, wedding or landscape where the subject matter is more obliging or pliable and on field correction is always an option - The building will not go away or you could ask the bride to pose for you again.
Sighting in wild is often of an endangered species, an elusive cat or a rare action and trust me there are "no retakes". Capturing the moment is the most important and there is never ever a "re-take". The challenge is to ensure you are ready for the moment as it arrives and you need to be technically correct, pick the right combination of body+lens or be at the right zoom level, what focus system to use etc should be clear in your mind. Trust me - If you miss the moment, you will regret it all your life.
However the pursuit of this precious image is what makes it such fun and so much rewarding. The thrill is in making the image and not just blindly firing away the shutter.
Also which animal do you find most challenging to photograph?
Each situation has its own set of challenges. You need to be well camouflaged while shooting birds, know what distance a Tiger or Leopard will tolerate your presence or shooting the nocturnal Amphibians and Snakes in the fog and constant rains of long Amboli nights.
Wildlife is very active during early morning and evenings. This is also the best time to make great images of these animals in their natural habitats. It is practice and constant experimentation which teaches us how to handle light in different situations. There is no "one setting" for wildlife and each situation needs quick thinking and decision making as there is no re-take in the wild. While I may use different exposure modes and metering techniques for different situations, it all depends on how I want to present my image.
Which new destination is highest on your wish-list to photograph and why?
Brazil!! I want to get to the Amazon! I want to see the jaguar & the Amazonian birds. Also Want to get to Svalbrad to get a glimpse of the Polar Bear before the arctic melts off.
What one piece of advice would you offer someone hoping to follow in your footsteps and become a professional wildlife photographer?
Understand the behavior of nature & wildlife around you. I watch a lot of wildlife documentaries and videos, spend time with the naturalists etc to understand the behavior of the Animal. I believe this helps me understand what to expect when a sighting happens and also gives your mind several frames to click when you get that rare sighting.
A tip you would like to give to our readers & wildlife enthusiasts.
Photographing wildlife comes with huge responsibility of following ethical practices and zero disturbance to the animals. They should never be disturbed nor the natural settings be manipulated. Respect for nature and following ethical practices is something that should be followed by every one of us and should be treated as non-negotiable in our own minds. We all should do our bit to increase awareness - I speak about it whenever I get a chance; be it while talking to fellow passengers on the safari vehicle, a group of budding photographers or wildlife enthusiasts. Do your bit to conserve wildlife and always remember "The image should never take preference over the situation."
“Patience” is the name of the game for making good images. Wildlife never disappoints if you take your chances based on inputs from local guides, naturalists and show patience.
Could you share two of your favorite images that you’ve photographed in the wild.
Very tough to choose, really. I have lots of favorites, but if I were to choose one picture, and I might be a little emotional here, it has to be this big shy (very shy) male (known as Katezari male) at Tadoba who we tracked down with a lot of patience on my birthday. This sighting to me was the best birthday gift ever.
The other one, more from recent times (three weeks ago) is the smallest Kingfisher and the "Jewel of Konkan" - ODKF (Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher). People thought I was crazy to drive 800Kms alone in the car and stand all day in pounding rain to make pictures of just one bird! One sight of this tiny 9gram and very colourful bird with feed for its chicks makes the entire experience very sweet and the return drive effortless!!
Brazil!! I want to get to the Amazon! I want to see the jaguar & the Amazonian birds. Also Want to get to Svalbrad to get a glimpse of the Polar Bear before the arctic melts off.
What one piece of advice would you offer someone hoping to follow in your footsteps and become a professional wildlife photographer?
Understand the behavior of nature & wildlife around you. I watch a lot of wildlife documentaries and videos, spend time with the naturalists etc to understand the behavior of the Animal. I believe this helps me understand what to expect when a sighting happens and also gives your mind several frames to click when you get that rare sighting.
A tip you would like to give to our readers & wildlife enthusiasts.
Photographing wildlife comes with huge responsibility of following ethical practices and zero disturbance to the animals. They should never be disturbed nor the natural settings be manipulated. Respect for nature and following ethical practices is something that should be followed by every one of us and should be treated as non-negotiable in our own minds. We all should do our bit to increase awareness - I speak about it whenever I get a chance; be it while talking to fellow passengers on the safari vehicle, a group of budding photographers or wildlife enthusiasts. Do your bit to conserve wildlife and always remember "The image should never take preference over the situation."
“Patience” is the name of the game for making good images. Wildlife never disappoints if you take your chances based on inputs from local guides, naturalists and show patience.
Could you share two of your favorite images that you’ve photographed in the wild.
Very tough to choose, really. I have lots of favorites, but if I were to choose one picture, and I might be a little emotional here, it has to be this big shy (very shy) male (known as Katezari male) at Tadoba who we tracked down with a lot of patience on my birthday. This sighting to me was the best birthday gift ever.
The other one, more from recent times (three weeks ago) is the smallest Kingfisher and the "Jewel of Konkan" - ODKF (Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher). People thought I was crazy to drive 800Kms alone in the car and stand all day in pounding rain to make pictures of just one bird! One sight of this tiny 9gram and very colourful bird with feed for its chicks makes the entire experience very sweet and the return drive effortless!!
Get inspired by Sandeep’s work on his website:
http://sandeepduttaphotography.com
Or follow him on FB:
https://www.facebook.com/SandeepDuttaPhotography?fref=ts
Interview by:
Prachi Chaphekar
OUTWOODS
http://sandeepduttaphotography.com
Or follow him on FB:
https://www.facebook.com/SandeepDuttaPhotography?fref=ts
Interview by:
Prachi Chaphekar
OUTWOODS