How did your journey into nature photography begin — what first pulled you toward watching and framing wild creatures?
My journey into nature photography began after I saw some stunning bird images captured by my Guru, Biswajit Ghosh. He was the one who inspired me and also taught me wildlife and nature photography. Seeing his work opened my eyes to the wild world around me, and from there I started learning to watch and frame the creatures I had once simply passed by.
Do you remember the first wild moment you managed to photograph that made you think, “this is what I want to keep doing”?
Yes, I remember it clearly. The moment that made me feel this is what I want to keep doing was when I first captured an image of a Tickell's Blue Flycatcher. That first successful frame of the bird gave me a feeling I had not experienced before, and it confirmed for me that nature photography was something I wanted to pursue.
Was there a person, a mentor, or a photographer whose work shaped the way you see the wild?
Yes, there certainly was. As I mentioned earlier, that person was Biswajit Ghosh, my Guru. His work shaped the way I see the wild, and he is the one who inspired me as well as taught me wildlife and nature photography. His guidance has stayed with me throughout my journey.
What are some of the favorite images from your portfolio?
Walk us through your winning photograph, “Helping Hand.”
How long did you have to watch that nest before the two weaver ants lined up to carry the black ant for this exact frame?
I had to watch that nest for approximately one and a half hours before the two weaver ants lined up to carry the black ant for this exact frame. It was a patient wait, and I stayed with the nest until that precise moment finally came together.
What's the camera and lens you reach for the most?
What is this setup, and why is it the one that suits the close, patient work you do?
This setup is a Nikon D500 paired with a Tamron 90mm Macro lens. It gives me sharp images with great autofocus, and it creates beautiful bokeh. That combination is exactly why it suits the close, patient work I do.
Tell us about your photograph of the fan-throated lizard mid-display.
Males flare that colourful throat-fan only for a few seconds in mating season — how did you time catching it?
I was lying down and watching his movement, and whenever he displayed, I pressed the shutter button. This continued for approximately three hours. Staying low and staying patient let me catch those brief displays as they happened.
Which frame from your feather series would you like to share?
Where did you come across this bird of prey tearing and isolating the feathers from its kill?
I came across this bird of prey tearing and isolating the feathers from its kill at Little Rann of Kutch in Gujarat. It was there that I was able to witness and photograph this moment.
What's the story behind your photograph of the blackbuck mother feeding her baby?
How did you stay unnoticed long enough to capture such a tender moment between the mother and her young?
I was looking for this moment, so I visited the location several times by car. I stopped the car at a distance so that they could not notice us. Finally, one day I got this beautiful moment between the mother and her young.
Walk us through a photograph from a field trip or location that has stayed with you.
Where was this taken, and what made that outing one you still think about?
This was taken in Manglajodi Wetland. This place is one of the favourite places among bird photographers, where you can find lots of migrated water birds as well as resident water birds. Above all of that, it gives you every type of shot you wanted for.
What's a recent nature photograph you haven't shown many people yet?
What was it about this subject that made you want to photograph it?
This image is of a Rufous-necked Hornbill, a female. It is one of the beautiful-looking hornbills. I had been looking for this bird since I started wildlife photography, so this image is special for me.
When you head out with your camera now, what kind of wild moment are you still hoping to witness and bring home?
I will go to Manglajodi at the end of this year. I am looking for some creative nature shots as well as some action shots. Those are the kinds of wild moments I am still hoping to witness and bring home.
Contact and Follow
Email: chintaharan81@gmail.com
Facebook: chintaharan.ghosh.9
Instagram: chintaharanghosh
