Conservation Photography & Wildlife Filmmaking
I use my camera to tell the stories animals cannot tell themselves, focusing on the urgent conservation challenges facing Mumbai's wild spaces.
A grim discovery on a Mumbai shore. This Hook-nosed Sea Snake and a File Sea Snake were killed and hung on a boat, likely out of fear. This is the reality we are trying to change through education.
Another view of the killed File Sea Snake. These unnecessary deaths highlight a deep misunderstanding of marine reptiles. My films aim to replace fear with facts and respect.
A juvenile Bamboo Shark washed ashore, likely discarded as bycatch from a fishing net. This single image represents a massive problem threatening our marine ecosystems, a story that needs to be told.
Sea snakes often get caught in fishing nets and are left on the beach to die from dehydration or heatstroke. This video shows one such snake struggling to get back to the water, a fight for survival I witness all too often.
The beautiful Pink Trumpet trees blooming across Mumbai may look pretty, but they are an invasive species. In this film, I explain how they harm our native flora and the wildlife, like this Barn Owl, that depends on it.
India's grasslands, our very own savanna, are one of our most threatened ecosystems. This image shows a beautiful habitat with industries encroaching on its edges, a visual representation of the pressure wildlife faces.
A pair of Black-eared Kites perched near a poultry farm on the edge of the grasslands. This shows how wildlife adapts to human presence, but also how habitat fragmentation leads to increased human-animal interaction.
Nature can seem cruel, but it's a delicate balance. Here I found the feathers of a bird, likely prey for a raptor. It's a reminder that in the wild, one life sustains another, and every creature plays a role.
About Conservation in Focus: Stories from the Field
My lens does not just capture animals, it documents their struggle against urban encroachment. Whether it is the impact of invasive flora like the Pink Trumpet tree or the crisis of bycatch along our shores, I create films that turn passive viewers into informed advocates. If you are looking for high-retention stories that spark real conversation about our environment, this is where we start.
Nature is rarely just the picture-perfect shots we see on social media. My work in this cluster digs into the complex reality of our relationship with the wild. When I film along Mumbai's shores, I am not just looking for pretty marine life. I am documenting the discarded fishing nets that trap sea snakes and the tragic bycatch of bamboo sharks, things that need to be seen to be understood.
Conservation is about balance. In the grasslands, this means highlighting how species like the Indian Chameleon are being squeezed out by industrial growth. I use macro lenses to reveal the beauty of these creatures, but I also frame them within the context of the factories and farms that now surround them. This contrast is the heart of my storytelling.
How I Approach Conservation Projects
- Fieldcraft: I spend hours in the field to understand animal patterns before I roll the camera. This ensures I get the shot without stressing the subject, whether it is a venomous snake or a nesting bird.
- Narrative Focus: My documentaries are scripted for impact. I avoid jargon and focus on what the viewer needs to know to care about the issue, be it an invasive plant species or a local habitat threat.
- Technical Edge: I use 4K Sony Alpha and Canon systems with specialized lighting to handle the variable conditions of the outdoors. From the harsh sun of the coast to the low light of the forest, I make sure the visual quality matches the importance of the message.
Whether you need a short social media series to bust myths about reptiles or a full documentary on urban habitat loss, my goal is the same. I want to help you create content that drives awareness and respect for the natural world.
Karan Solanki
Wildlife has been my world since I was eight, when I started assisting my dad with rescues. I do not just film nature, I live in it, from the mangroves of Mumbai to the grasslands of Maharashtra, bringing you the stories that usually go unseen.
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