Creative In-Camera Wildlife Photography
i love pushing what a camera can do, using in-camera techniques like multiple exposures to blend layers and light. this is where real-time experimentation meets nature.
This image is an in-camera multiple exposure, a technique I love experimenting with. I first captured the silhouette of a flock of Indian Cormorants against the setting sun, then layered it with an out-of-focus shot of the shimmering bokeh on the water's surface to create this dreamy, golden scene.
A creative double exposure of a pair of Red-Vented Bulbuls in my backyard in Gurgaon. I layered an image of the birds with out-of-focus shots of stems and flowers, adjusting the color temperature to emulate a warm, golden hour light, creating depth and a painterly effect.
A multiple exposure shot of Indian Cormorants at sunset. I combined a silhouette of the flock flying with a separate exposure of the bokeh orbs on the water, creating a golden, layered image that captures the feeling of dusk at Sultanpur National Park.
This image of the moon was an early experiment with multiple exposures. I combined a long exposure to capture the soft clouds with a faster one to retain the moon's detail, creating a composite image with beautiful foreground bokeh from city lights.
I created this image by combining two exposures in-camera. First, I captured the silhouette of a Little Cormorant in the golden light, then I layered it with an out-of-focus shot of the sparkling bokeh on the water's surface for an atmospheric effect.
An in-camera multiple exposure combining a silhouette of a Black Kite with an out-of-focus flower and clouds. The pink hue from the flower and the hazy texture from the clouds give this flight shot a surreal, dream-like quality.
This is another creative take on a Black Kite in flight, using multiple exposures. I blended the bird's silhouette with the vibrant colors of out-of-focus flowers and leaves, resulting in an abstract image I call 'A Riot of Colors'.
A simple yet effective in-camera double exposure. I merged a silhouette of a Red Vented Bulbul with a backlit leaf, using the leaf's veins and structure to create a natural frame and texture around the bird.
This black and white image is a multiple exposure of a Rose-ringed Parakeet in flight against the soft, abstract shapes of tree leaves. The technique creates a sense of movement and blends the subject with its environment in an artistic way.
A minimalist version of my multiple exposure series with a Rose-ringed Parakeet. Here, the bird's silhouette is small and isolated against the ghostly outlines of leaves, creating a feeling of space and solitude.
About In-Camera Artistry
i don't rely on heavy post-processing to get these shots. everything happens inside my canon 80d while i'm out in the field. i often layer multiple exposures, shifting focus between the subject and background bokeh, to create that dreamlike, painterly effect right before the image is saved to the card.
for me, photography is about more than just a clear image. it’s about capturing a feeling, a moment, or a hidden layer of the wild that the naked eye might miss. when i’m out in places like sultanpur national park or even just on my terrace in gurgaon, i’m not always looking for the standard portrait. i’m looking for texture, light, and movement.
my workflow is pretty simple but requires a lot of patience. i use my canon 80d with the sigma 150-600mm, which lets me get up close to birds like the red-vented bulbul or the black kite without causing them stress. the magic happens with the in-camera multiple exposure setting. i’ll frame a silhouette, then take another shot of out-of-focus elements—like water ripples, tree leaves, or city bokeh—and layer them together.
it’s a process of trial and error. some days, the composition just clicks, like the 'mirror dimension' shot of a lapwing. other times, like when i'm chasing a leopard in jhalana, i have to be ready to switch from artistic mode to high-speed action mode in a split second. if you’re interested in learning these techniques or just want to capture your own nature story with a creative twist, i’m happy to help you get the right shot.
Ishaan
hey, i'm ishaan. i spend my days tracking leopards or waiting for bulbuls, trying to capture more than just a standard portrait. if you want something different—something that plays with light and layers—let’s chat.
looking for something else?
search through my other photography collections to find what you're looking for.
More from Wildlife Photography by Ishaan
More services by Ishaan