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Composition tips for habitat image

April 05, 2019  •  7 Comments

 

Composition tips for better habitat bird/animal photography images.

Composition is a key aesthetic part of photography. It is very subjective. Before composing any images first ask yourself, what sort of image do you want to capture? Is it only documentation? How you are going to shoot? How can you photograph differently? Are you trying to convey some story? If you are going to just click, it is only a snapshot. To create strong images, you need to spend some time on arranging your subjects in the frame. You can previsualize before the shoot, or you can decide on the spot.

Few tips for making some strong images.

How to compose habitat image:

  • Different points of view, move around to get better POV
  •  Don’t lose your subject, Keep it clutter free
  • Avoid feature less sky
  • Zoom lens, try different focal length composition, different lens, like wide angle lens
  • First take one habitat shot, then approach for close up
  • Check all possible locations for a better image

Pelican with typical Bharatpur habitat.

Spot-billed pelican (Pelecanus philippensis)_D4R5712Spot-billed pelican (Pelecanus philippensis)_D4R5712

 

Tiger, Telia lake, Tadoba Walking around the Telia lake_D4R0079Walking around the Telia lake_D4R0079

Tiger crossing the Ramganga river, Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand

Tiger scape_D4R9472Tiger scape_D4R9472 If the subjects gives time, try both vertical and horizontal frames

Cat walk _D4S9933Cat walk _D4S9933"Jim corbett nationalpark",Uttarakhand

Red-crested pochard (Netta rufina), habitat image

Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina)_D4R2650Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina)_D4R2650

Red-crested pochard (Netta rufina), Close up image

Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina)_D4R2624Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina)_D4R2624

The image has to showcase the particular habitat, Nilgiri tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius), Rajamalai, Eravikulam National Park

NiligiriTarNiligiriTarEravikulam National park,Rajamalai,Kerala

Grassland of Corbett National park.

Asian elephants_DD38687Asian elephants_DD38687Jim Corbett National Park

Habitat shots not as easy as it seems, you have spend time on creating strong background images.

Respect nature  and enjoy the photography.

Happy Clicking

Rathika Ramasamy


Bird Photography-Tips

April 04, 2019  •  4 Comments

 

Bird Photography Tips

 SPOTTING BIRDS

(Your first task: spot some birds.)

These are a few tips for the beginner.

 Where, when and how do I spot birds?

WHERE:

Local parks, Bird sanctuaries nearby, wetlands, open fields. DO plan what you are looking to shoot. Resident birds or migratory visitors? You should start birding from your backyard - ,India has more than 20 birds who reside in an urban habitat .Find out about hotspots for birds in your town/city, from experienced birders. (Hotspot Definition: your spot should have a lot of bird species, good lighting, and should be close enough for a one-day trip. During winter most places enjoy winter visitors. Summer and monsoon are also very good season for resident birds. DO find out and join your local birding group, which will allow you to keep in touch with local birding hotspots and more information. After exploring your local birding hotspots, if you feel you would like to shoot some more, then it’s time to graduate to other parks/cities.

Indian roller (Coracias benghalensis)_DD32175Indian roller (Coracias benghalensis)_DD32175

PLANNING:

Know what you are planning to shoot, the time of year those birds will be present, and more. Collect a checklist of the birds in that area. Read trip reports about places you going visit. Network with groups and nature photographers to help you get more details. To share travel and stay costs, try to plan 3 or 4 photographers, who are at the same learning curve. For example at national parks, the park safari fees are high, but going with a group will enable you to make more trips. If you get a chance to accompany an experienced photographer, so much the better as you can learn lot.

 

Painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala) _D4S6791Painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala) _D4S6791

HOW:

Birds are most active in the early morning. Field knowledge, such as bird habitat and routines, is extremely helpful. For example, the Green Bee Eater will perch usually in one spot. Kingfishers usually sit at the edge of water bodies and small ponds, waiting for their prey to surface.

Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)_DD39499Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)_DD39499

Instead of trying to visit new places every time, go to the same place and watch the birds’ activities. Areas full of prey and water bodies are main attractions for the birds. In grasslands you will spot larks and wagtails feeding on insects. Food habits are a prime driver in helping spot ideal places. All birds have a favorite water body - they have to drink at least once a day.

A good field guide is necessary for bird identification. I carry this on all my field trips: ‘Pocket guide to the Birds of the Indian Subcontinent’ by Richard Grimmtt, Carol Inskipp and Tim Inskipp

Along with your camera and accessories, a good pair of binocular helps watch bird activity closely.

Sarus crane (Grus antigone)_D4S1168Sarus crane (Grus antigone)_D4S1168

 

THE APPROACH AND THE ACTUAL SHOOT:

 AVOID THESE

* Bright clothing

* Loud sounds

* Quick moves

* Hair spray, gel, strongly smelling sun cream

 On spotting the bird, first click a shot, next move a little closer and take a second shot. For birds, no movement means invisibility :). If you find a place which promises birds activity later, Do wait there, instead of running all over and getting no good pictures. Have patience and you’ll have a better chance at coming back with few good shots.

 *If you feel the bird is not comfortable (i.e. looking at you, showing signs of flight) then stop and give it some time to get used to your presence.

 *At sanctuaries, birds are usually used to human presence, so a closer approach is possible.

Grey heron (Ardea cinerea)_BID7213Grey heron (Ardea cinerea)_BID7213

 ***IMPORTANT: Birds and the habitat are more important than your photograph****

 Please remember you are entering their world, so respect nature, DO NOT disturb these beautiful creatures merely for a better photograph. Always maintain a distance and do follow the nature photography ethics.

 Happy birding and happy clicking,

 

Happy clicking!

Rathika Ramasamy

Oriental dwarf kingfisher (Ceyx erithaca)Oriental dwarf kingfisher (Ceyx erithaca)RATHIKARAMASAMY

 


Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve-Maharashtra

May 08, 2013  •  33 Comments

 

              Sharing some images from my Tadoba trip,had good sightings of Telia cubs.Wish the park authority opens all routes soon.

 

             Telia Tigress

Telia_DD34167

                                          Feeling thirsty

Thirsty Tiger_D4R8952

                                         Tigress got surprise visitor.

 

Tiger-Sloth bear_D4R9019

                                          Doing some stretching exercises Stretching exercise_D4R9836

                                           Cooling off, it is their favourite pastime in the morning and evening.

Cooling-off_D4R0062

             Close up of Telia cub.Telia Tigress_D4R9633              Jaddu ki Jappi-Langur

Langur-_D4R9301

              Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus)

Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus)_D4R9109

             Spotted DeerSpotted deer_D4R9171

                                         Sambar deerSambar deer _D4R9376

              Road to Tadoba lake

Tadoba_D4R9348


Awesome Kaziranga National Park-Feb 2013

March 11, 2013  •  32 Comments

 

                 Sharing a few images from Kaziranga National Park, one of the most beautiful national parks in India .
                 My wish to photograph One horned rhino was fulfilled at last.

 

            Hog deer (Hyelaphus porcinus) on the road.

Deer_D4R5384

 

              In the water-One-horned Rhinoceros

Greater one-horned rhinoceros_D4R5548

             Bar headed goose & Greater one-horned rhinoceros

Greater one-horned rhinoceros__D4R6428

              Framed

Greater one-horned rhinoceros_D4R5818

             Mother and daughter

Greater one-horned rhinoceros_D4R7111

              Elephant and Pelican

Kaziranga_D4R3944

             Traffic jam-Mother and baby elephant  crossing the road.

Traffic-jam_DD33607

          Egret and  Elephant

         Kaziranga_D4R3968

                                                          Wild water buffalo (Bubalus arnee)

Wild-buffalo_D4R4735

            

               Sun basking Turtle familyTurtle family_D4R7018

              Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus)

Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus)_D4R6246

     

 

               Egret

Egret_D4R5985

             


Rocking Keoladeo National Park,Feb 2013

February 16, 2013  •  46 Comments

Sharing few images from my last visit to Keoladeo National Park,Bharatpur, Rajasthan
After the 2009 season, the bird sanctuary is seeing its good old days. The park  has this year got all the water it needs to attract large number of bird flocks.I could see that the Migratory Waterfowl has come back.

The main attraction this time was White Pelicans, which I have spotted in huge groups here for the first time.

 

                                  Here's a small group of Pelicans preening in the mist, this is one of my favourite images.

Pelican_D4R0955

 

 

 

                                Oriental Darter(Anhinga melanogaster ) tossing fish

Oriental Darter(Anhinga melanogaster ) _D4R1120               Purple Heron and Egret  playing

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea_D4R3112

             Spot-billed Duck (Anas poecilorhyncha)

Spot-billed Duck (Anas poecilorhyncha)_D4R2872

              Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)

Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)_D4R2997

              Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)_D4R1464               Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea)

Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea)_D4R0198              Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus)

Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus)_D4R3073

             Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster )

Oriental Darter(Anhinga melanogaster)_D4R0109

              Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala)The Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala) _D4R0471                                Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela)

           

Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela)_D4R0485

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