The first time I came across the term ‘Wildlife Photography’, I distinctly remember not understanding it. I don’t mean the meaning of the term. I mean the reason behind pursuing that specific sub-genre of photography. As a child, the most important thing that came to mind whenever I came across ‘Wildlife Photography’ was ‘Why risk your life to photograph some potentially dangerous animals?’ Juvenile, of course. Now that I am a little older, I understand, to some extent, the special bend of character that it takes to have an interest in capturing nature at its purest form.
Wildlife Photography has never just been about capturing a portrait of an animal. No, it’s much more than that. At its basest form, Wildlife Photography has always been understanding the value in the lives we can never be a part of. Here are some incredibly talented wildlife photographers that you just need to look out for.
Chirag Sanghvi
The first two colours that strike you when perusing through the work of Chirag Sanghvi are green and tanned yellow. I suspect there is a conscious effort on his part to include the two colours. There is a distinctive relation to the way Sanghvi uses the two colours to portray the differing aspects of nature, that of serenity and ferocity. A tiger lies on the banks of a river, sprawled and yawning after a hunt while a flamingo stands not far away from its group. Sanghvi’s work is without any unnecessary filters. It is rich with a deliberate desire to be as simple as possible.
Priyanka Agarwal
Priyanka Agarwal does not shy away from the macabre in her work. After all, it is all a part of the world she is trying to capture. From sprawling landscapes covered with snow to a cheetah clutching at its prey, there is a little bit of everything in Agarwal’s photography. Perhaps, the most striking of her work is the portrait of a lioness tearing into the remains of her hunt. Agarwal’s work is a reminder of the unadulterated single-mindedness that exists in nature.
Vishal Monakar
Vishal Monakar’s work is deeply focused on capturing the avian part of the animal kingdom. To be honest, these are some beautiful pictures, some poised with grace, some adorable and some just downright amusing. A lot of my curiosity with visual art has to do with the way images are repurposed for internet memes. One particular piece of Monakar’s that caught my eye is his portrait of the great parrotbill. Monakar, I believe, understands his subjects on a deeply personal level. His portrayal of birds, through his photography, is exceptionally well positioned, from capturing moments of poise and grace to glimpses of just pure joy.
Sudhir Shivaram
Sudhir Shivaram has some, there is no other word for it, truly majestic portraits. From the lion shaking the water off his fur to the lone bulbul devouring a berry, these are all things you rarely see, much less in the manner in which Shivaram has managed to convey them. Shivaram’s work is intertwined with the idea of making the unseen seem just a little more approachable. It helps, of course, that Shivaram bases his entire approach on the foundation of some really exceptional shots.
Priyanshi Wildographs
With darkened hues of blue, Priyanshi’s work is all about aesthetics. Of course, that’s not to say that there is no substance. On the contrary, there is an abundance of it. Priyanshi’s work, perhaps, stands as the most unique amongst this list. While she doesn’t shy away from featuring edits on her work, there is a deliberate understanding, on her and her audience’s part, that the edits merely serve the purpose of applying a different feel and look to the work itself. It is in no way a means to enhance the existing work. Frankly, once you take a look at her work, you would understand that she really doesn’t need to.
Shasank B. Gowda
Shashank B. Gowda’s work has an emphasized focus on the feline. The manner in which he captures the portrait of a black panther is just perfect. The focus on how its body is wound so tight, its muscles tensed and ready to pounce at any given moment, is nothing short of spectacular. Gowda, additionally, has an amazing series of photographs titled, ‘Life in Infrared’. The pinkish hue, in which everything is bathed, is almost a callback to some of the most celebrated scenes in the works of the Japanese animator, Miyazaki.
Agasty Roy Arpita
Similar to one of the artists mentioned above, Agasty Roy Arpita incorporates an emphasized focus on birds in her work. From the Baya weaver, perched on its nest, to the common duck, Arpita is intent on relaying a sense of home when it comes to portraying her subjects through her photography. With a solid colour palette to most of her backgrounds, her work is centred on being minimal without losing any desired intent and charm.
