Framing The Future

A hobby that started with casual safaris, Ratish Nair's career has seen him embark on various new journeys. Today, we see him with a new-found passion of teaching and wanting to give photographers high-quality experiences under his guidance and expert tours. Asian Photography caught up with him about his passion for mentorship, his experiences on the field, mishaps and more. Excerpts:

- ANIRUDH IYER

Photographers face numerous challenges while working in the wild. Could you share some of the ones you encounter during your photography expeditions, and how do you tackle them?

I always say, wildlife is one genre where you board a safari vehicle without even knowing if you would be presented with an opportunity for a shoot on that given day. So, unpredictability starts right there. In the wild you are relying on everything natural, whether it is the quality & direction of light, getting the right animal against the right background, animal behaviour etc. Combined with that, the other challenges that we often encounter are harsh lighting in dense forests, and extreme weather like heat, humidity, and dust during dry seasons. Safari restrictions limit mobility, while forest regulations restrict access to certain areas, making it tough to get the perfect angle. In remote locations, power shortages and lens fogging etc add to the complexity. I tackle these with thorough preparation carrying the right gear for the chosen destination, extra batteries, using 100% weather-sealed equipment & protective gears, and working closely with experienced guides who understand wildlife movements. Understanding and anticipating animal behaviour, respecting forest regulations, and adapting to the environment is extremely important not only for capturing beauty of wildlife, but also supports conservation efforts. It's all part of the experience though. I've learned to embrace the uncertainty and prepare for anything, both mentally and physically. While it can be tough, the thrill of capturing a rare moment in the wild makes it all worth it.

Could you describe the research that goes into wildlife photography? How much and what do you study before actually going out and shooting?