The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Enthusiasts explore nuances of wildlife photography

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Sunday, Feb 17, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Enthusiasts explore nuances of wildlife photography

Staff Reporter

Lensman Sudhir Shivaram delivers lecture on dos, don’ts, techniques and joys of clicking nature

— PHOTO: K. Pichumani

The way to do it: Wildlife photographer Sudhir Shivaram addressing enthusiasts in Chennai on Saturday.

CHENNAI: Keep your distance, move in slowly, stay put and…shoot! No, not with a bang, just a click.

Well-known wildlife photographer Sudhir Shivaram was in town on Saturday to deliver a lecture on some of the dos and don’ts, techniques and joys of wildlife photography.

The lecture was organised by the Photographic Society of Madras, which is one of the oldest photography societies in the world.

Speaking in a room packed with photography enthusiasts, Mr. Sudhir described the process of taking pictures of his favourite subjects – birds – in great detail.

“Get to know your birds and their habitat, do your home work,” he said, before getting into the technicalities of photography, including lighting, exposure and composition. “Birds are smart. You have to learn to respect their habitat. If you stay still chances are you will be able to get one great picture, which you will not if you walk around trying to get a lot of pictures,” he said, stressing on the need for an almost meditative form of patience while shooting birds.

President of the photographic society K.O. Isaac said the organisation conducted meetings regularly for its members to meet, share ideas, enhance their knowledge about photography as well as indulge in their passion.

“We have a diverse range of members ranging from students to housewives. They have all a great passion for photography and have taken some wonderful pictures which have even been able to earn them monetary benefits. We also organise outdoor shoots for interested members. Their photography ranges from fashion to wildlife. Many eminent photographers and cinematographers from the south have all been members,” he said.

This particular lecture, would, in addition to teaching the techniques, seek to increase awareness on wildlife.

“The main objectives are to initiate and instigate conservation of species and their habitats,” Mr. Isaac said.

“Respect wildlife”

Mr. Sudhir’s most important message to amateur wildlife photographers was to learn to respect wildlife. “Share the joy that nature has to offer. Learn to respect their natural habitat,” a philosophy he seems to follow to the core.

All you need to do is have a look at the photos he has clicked to know.

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