Welcome to Rathika Ramasamy Photography blog
Review-Wildlife photography workshop ,AAZP, Vandalur, Chennai
Hi
Happy to share my workshop review by one of the AAZP wildlife workshop participant, Mr.Lakshmanaperumal.
Arignar Anna Zoological Park(AAZP)-Zoo school organises various programmes now a days. As a part of it, the AAZP zoo school organised two days workshop on Basic wildlife photography and Post processing techniques on April 06 and 07. India's one of the leading wildlife photographers, Rathika Ramasamy conducted this workshop and nearly 75 participants which includes Professional photographers, Working Professionals, photography enthusiasts, hobbyist photographers and even children took part in the workshop.
Personally, I was eagerly waiting for this workshop since the day I registered for it. We all have seen Rathika and other wildlife photographers' photos but we all would have thought at least once, "How beautiful this picture is and how do they take it!". I would say finally I got the answer.We all knew Rathika as a professional wildlife photographer. But, it was a big surprise when she started lecturing on Basics of wildlife photography because she is a good teacher too. Her way of communicating with people is really lovable and her energetic and enthusiastic voice drove us into the wild.
In this workshop, several topics were covered like Basic photography terms, Field Identification, Wildlife Conservation, Wildlife photography composition, Ethics of wildlife photography, wildlife habitat, Bird photography and more. The best part of the workshop is that Rathika shared her experience in the wild which added a flavour to the workshop and it was really useful for the participants to know how the wildlife photography trips would be in reality. Listening to her life experience in the wild was really awesome and I was tempted to visit the "wild world" with my camera to feel it. For every topic covered, Rathika Ramasamy showed the pictures of her work and explained "how to" and "how not to" take a photograph. And she had given some tips regarding booking tickets for National parks, when to visit which national park, where to find some rare species and so on.
Even during the break time, so many people approached her but she never tried to avoid anyone. She answered everyone no matter it is regarding technical aspects or work-life related questions.
After the lecture, the participants were taken to the field, inside the zoo, to practice on the topics covered. The participants were guided to take photos of birds and animals in the zoo. The photos were reviewed immediately on the field and given feedback. The next day, Post processing technique workshop had been conducted and Rathika taught the participants to use Adobe photoshop and Lightroom softwares. The participants were trained to edit their own photos taken on previous day and were reviewed.
I would say this was the most valuable training I have ever attended in my life so far. I know Rathika conducts some workshops and Master classes often and I am already checking her website to lock my seat in the safari. Without any doubt Rathika can be your "Guru" as she is mine now and you will surely get the world class training in her workshops.
And During the Q&A sesssion, Rathika Ramasamy cleared all the doubts of the participants that were very basic and as well as professional.The workshop was really interesting and very useful to know about the wildlife photography. On the other side, the Zoo administration was so good in organizing the workshop. Finally, it was really amazing to work along with India's renowned photographer for two days and now I am waiting for my second chance to attend one more workshop from Rathika Ramasamy Ma'am. I won't miss it.... Would you..?
- Lakshmanaperumal Subburaj
Basic compostion tips for wildlife photography
Composition tips for wildlife photography
Subject isolation : Profile shots avoid clutter, keep it simple. Long tele lens gives you shallow depth of field.
Flowers and leaves enhance the frame of this Sunbird.
Though the background looks completely camouflaged, it is not distracting in this Tiger shot.
Wait for birds to sit on a natural perch. When birds are perched on wires birds you can shoot just for documentation. Avoid keeping your subject dead center, off center works very well, unless the subject is looking straight to the camera.
Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), I composed in the center, as it was looking straight into the camera.
Leave some space in front and top of the subject. Don't keem them in tight frame.
When shooting birds, try to catch light in the eyes.
Don't cut any main part of the subject. Head turn is important in bird photography. Try to get eye contact.
Background makes a difference, try to get green background for the birds. Try different points of view to get the best background.
If the sky is blue then it is fine, avoid feature less sky.
Try different perspectives, use different focal lengths of your lens.
Elephant herd at Dhikala, Corbett National park, taken with 70mm focal length
Same herd taken with close up 200mm focal length.
Try to capture them with natural framing.
These are some basic composition tips. Framing is subjective, so try to get out of box composition, and try your own style of framing.
Experiment a lot, enjoy making the images.
Happy clicking.
Rathika Ramasamy
Composition tips for habitat image
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.
Tiger, Telia lake, Tadoba
Tiger crossing the Ramganga river, Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand
If the subjects gives time, try both vertical and horizontal frames
Red-crested pochard (Netta rufina), habitat image
Red-crested pochard (Netta rufina), Close up image
The image has to showcase the particular habitat, Nilgiri tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius), Rajamalai, Eravikulam National Park
Grassland of 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
***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
Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve-Maharashtra
Sharing some images from my Tadoba trip,had good sightings of Telia cubs.Wish the park authority opens all routes soon.
Telia Tigress
Feeling thirsty
Tigress got surprise visitor.
Doing some stretching exercises 
Cooling off, it is their favourite pastime in the morning and evening.
Close up of Telia cub.
Jaddu ki Jappi-Langur
Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus)
Spotted Deer
Sambar deer
Road to Tadoba lake
