{"id":1194,"date":"2024-11-04T21:36:46","date_gmt":"2024-11-04T22:36:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lookbangalore.com\/?p=1194"},"modified":"2024-12-23T12:28:13","modified_gmt":"2024-12-23T12:28:13","slug":"6-iconic-shots-to-capture-on-an-india-tiger-photo-expedition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/lookbangalore.com\/index.php\/2024\/11\/04\/6-iconic-shots-to-capture-on-an-india-tiger-photo-expedition\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Iconic Shots to Capture on an India Tiger Photo Expedition"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of my favorite things about travel is the photos I bring home. The walls in my office and our home\u2019s central staircase are covered in framed prints of shots my husband and I have taken around the world\u2014in China, the Cotswolds, Cambodia, the American West and Florida, Morocco, Turkey, Greece, Botswana and Tanzania, all across Switzerland where we live, and so many more places\u2014each comes alive as I glance up from my computer during a busy afternoon or climb the stairs at the end of each day.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the ways to ensure I capture the photos I\u2019m anticipating when we travel is to create a well thought out and organized <\/span>travel photo shot list<\/span><\/b>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That way, when we\u2019re on the road, I have a checklist at the ready and can easily track my progress. Nat Hab\u2019s <\/span>India Tiger Photo Expedition<\/span><\/a> has inspired a new shot list for me!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Here are six kinds of iconic shots I\u2019d aim to capture on an Indian wildlife safari:\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

1.\u202fThe complex culture of Old Delhi\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Old Delhi was founded as a walled city and officially named\u202fShahjahanabad\u202fin 1648, when\u202fMughal Emperor Shah Jahan\u202fmoved the Mughal capital from\u202fAgra. Capture the character of <\/span>centuries of Old Delhi\u2019s complex, multi-layered history on a rickshaw ride and guided walk through the narrow lanes and bustling <\/span>Chandni Chowk Market<\/span><\/b>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Explore the architectural treasure of <\/span>Jama Masjid<\/span><\/b>, India\u2019s largest mosque and Shah Jahan\u2019s magnum opus. Completed in 1656 by more than 5,000 laborers, the grand edifice features alternating vertical strips of red sandstone and white marble, and a vast inner courtyard large enough to hold 25,000 people.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Gurdwara Bangla Sahib<\/span><\/b> is one of the country\u2019s most revered Sikh temples. The complex is associated with Har Krishan, the youngest of the Sikh Gurus, and includes the main temple, school, sacred water tank and large community kitchen that prepares over 10,000 free meals every day. Known as langar, all meals are cooked by volunteers using donated ingredients from Sikh farmers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Capturing Old Delhi\u2019s complex character is a unique challenge\u2014is it in the people, life on the streets, the architecture?<\/span><\/b> Try capturing movement and energy. Your shots to start the trip may show it in myriad ways.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Tuk-tuk<\/p>\n

Tuk-tuk ride, Delhi<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

2. The Tiger Conservation Success at Ranthambore National Park<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n

Are Bengal tigers on your wildlife photography Bucket List? <\/span>In the renowned tiger enclave of Ranthambore National Park, when the Indian spring moves toward the hotter months, animals anticipate the monsoon still weeks away.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"tiger<\/p>\n

Nat Hab Expedition Leader \u00a9 Conan Dumenil<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

During the heat of the day, tigers seek shelter, but they emerge to feed and drink, moving from the dry underbrush into the open at least twice a day\u2014that\u2019s the time to capture your next iconic shot!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With over 3,680 individuals, India is home to 75% of the world\u2019s tiger population. <\/span><\/b>Will you capture an iconic shot of one\u2014or more\u2014of them? Is a direct gaze on your shot list? A close up of the pattern of a tiger\u2019s stripes? The slow amble of a tiger in the heat of day?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Ranthambore<\/p>\n

Nat Hab Expedition Leader \u00a9 Surya Ramachandran<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Photographing Tigers at Ranthambore Tiger Reserve<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

The <\/span>Ranthambore Tiger Reserve<\/span><\/b>, declared a National Park in 1980, is one of the largest tiger habitats in the country. <\/span>A former royal hunting ground, it now supports a population of 80 tigers in a dry deciduous forest located between two mountain ranges, Aravalli and Vindhya.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Ranthambore<\/p>\n

Nat Hab Expedition Leader \u00a9 Aditya Panda<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The foundations for <\/span>Ranthambore Fort<\/span><\/b> were laid by King Sapaldaksha of the Chauhan Dynasty in 944 AD, and it was added to by successive rulers. It\u2019s a vast, crumbling complex of picturesque ruins of palaces, temples and courtyards which now make unique habitat, providing shade and shelter for the animals\u2014and beautiful backdrops.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Ranthambore<\/p>\n

Peacock, Ranthambore Fort<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

In India, the 1972 tiger census <\/span>revealed the existence of only 1,827 tigers, prompting Indira Gandhi to enact significant wildlife protections, including <\/span>the creation of core areas, such as <\/span>Ranthambore National Park<\/span><\/b>, isolated from human encroachment. The surrounding areas were to be made into buffer zones, where animals and humans can coexist, and where activities such as ecotourism and sustainable agriculture can take place.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Ranthambore<\/p>\n

Nat Hab Expedition Leader \u00a9 Surya Ramachandran<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Early morning and late afternoon safaris provide the best light for photographing the <\/span>tigers of <\/span>Ranthambore<\/span><\/a>, with golden hues streaming through the trees. As the tigers move through the dense jungle, stealthily approach a waterhole or take cover under dense brush, be prepared to switch between wide shots capturing their environment and close-ups that convey the intensity in their gaze.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"bengal<\/p>\n

Nat Hab travelers spy a tree-hugging tiger on their wildlife safari in India \u00a9 Surya Ramachandran<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The park\u2019s rocky terrain and ancient ruins add a mystical element, enhancing the drama of the shot\u200b\u2014<\/span>b<\/span><\/b>e on the lookout for seven different cat species<\/span><\/b>!<\/span> Ranthambore is also home to a notable leopard population, although they tend to stay in higher, more inaccessible areas and are not frequently visible.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tigers may be your main focus, but other wildlife is plentiful. Sightings may include spotted deer, nilgai, jackal, jungle cat, sloth bear, sambar, chinkara gazelle, wild boar, langur monkeys and rhesus macaques.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Ranthambore<\/p>\n

Langur monkeys playing in Ranthambore National Park<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

One of the most iconic wildlife shots to capture on an Indian tiger photo expedition is of the Bengal tigers of\u202fRanthambore National Park.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3.\u202fGolden Majesty: The Taj Mahal at Sunrise and Sunset<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

The\u202f<\/span>Taj Mahal<\/span><\/b>, one of the world\u2019s most photographed landmarks, reveals its true splendor at sunrise and sunset. Sunrise bathes the marble in a soft, pinkish glow, while sunset offers a warm, golden light that contrasts with the rich blue and orange hues of the sky.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Taj<\/p>\n

Taj Mahal<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The Taj was\u202fcommissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor,\u202fShah Jahan, as a testimony of his intense love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. It is a romance celebrated in marble and glorified with precious and semi-precious stones.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To capture the intricate beauty of the Taj Mahal, play with reflections on the still waters of the surrounding pools.<\/span><\/b> For a fresh perspective, shift your composition, from wide-angle shots capturing the full scope of the monument to tighter compositions focusing on architectural details like the floral inlays or the delicate symmetry of its arches.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What kinds of images do you hope to capture at the Taj Mahal?<\/span><\/b> Do you want to tell a love story in images? Evoke its sense of tranquility and reverence? Capture details you\u2019ve never seen in others\u2019 photos from the same place.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Taj<\/p>\n

Taj Mahal<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

4.\u202fLeopards, Flora, and Fauna of the <\/span><\/b>Jhalana forest<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Tigers may be the stars of this photo expedition, but the\u202fprivate <\/span>Jhalana Leopard <\/span><\/b>Reserve<\/span><\/b>\u202foffers a thrilling opportunity to photograph leopard adults and cubs.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Known for their stealth and ability to vanish into the landscape, leopards are an elegant, elusive subject. The <\/span>Jhalana Leopard <\/span>Reserve\u202foffers one of the best opportunities in India to photograph leopards engaged in their routine activities and natural habitat.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Leopard,<\/p>\n

Leopard photographed by Nat Hab Expedition Leader \u00a9 Surya Ramachandran<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Jhalana is the world\u2019s most densely populated leopard reserve<\/span><\/b>, which nearly guaratees a sighting.<\/span><\/b> With leopards, lighting is everything\u2014dappled light filtering through trees creates powerful contrasts, highlighting the golden tones of their fur against shadowy branches and brush.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Photographing a leopard is another iconic shot on an Indian tiger safari or Indian tiger photo expedition.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Jhalana forest is a dry deciduous forest, dominated by the sloping valleys and sharp cliffs of the Aravalli hills. The forest features plants that thrive in arid conditions like juliflora and khejri, the state tree of Rajasthan.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to leopards, you might spot\u2014and capture shots of\u2014a variety of other animals: striped hyenas, Indian civets, desert foxes, jackals, porcupines, monitor lizards, mongooses, sambar deer, spotted deer, and blue bull.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"fox<\/p>\n

Fox, photographed by Nat Hab Expedition Leader \u00a9 Aditya Panda<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

5.\u202fWinged Wonders: Birds of Ranthambore & Jhalana<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Northern India is a paradise for bird enthusiasts,<\/span><\/b> offering the chance to capture a range of colorful avian species in their natural habitat.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

From\u202fIndian peafowl\u202fdisplaying their iridescent tail feathers to\u202fcrested serpent eagles\u202fsoaring overhead, this environment offers endless opportunities for avian photography. Experiment with fast shutter speeds to capture birds in flight, or slow it down for graceful shots of waterfowl on tranquil lakes.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"White-throated<\/p>\n

White-throated Kingfisher<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Iconic kingfishers, with their vivid blues and oranges, provide striking contrasts against the earthy tones of the forest. Photographs of birds perched against the dramatic backdrop of Ranthambore\u2019s ancient ruins add a timeless quality to your shots\u200b.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Over 300 avian species, both migratory and endemic, might also pose for photos in <\/span><\/b>Ranthambore National Park.<\/span><\/b> Keep an eye out for paradise flycatchers, painted storks\u2014you may hear the peacocks before you spot them.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jhalana Leopard <\/span>Reserve<\/span> hosts hundreds of bird species, too. <\/span>According to Cornell University\u2019s Lab of Ornithology eBird platform, <\/span><\/b>over 225 species<\/span><\/b><\/a> have been spotted in and around the Jhalana Leopard <\/span><\/b>Reserve.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"peacocks,<\/p>\n

Nat Hab Expedition Leader \u00a9 Surya Ramachandran<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Tips for Photographing Birds<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Nat Hab\u2019s <\/span>Director of Photo Expeditions<\/span><\/a>, Mike Hillman, is an award-winning birder, too, so I asked him for tips on photographing birds in India. Here are 4 ideas you can practice right away. He shared:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n