Behind the Lens: My Wildlife Workflow

People often ask about my camera settings, but the real secret to my wildlife work is 50% in the field and 50% in the digital darkroom. I recently upgraded my RAM to 32GB just to handle the heavy color grading and masking that happens after I get home, because getting the shot is only the first step.

Wildlife photography is tumba [very] demanding. When you see a bird portrait in my gallery, you are seeing a result of a 4:30 AM ride on my Activa, long before the city wakes up.

The Field Work

My routine is anchored by the golden hour. Whether I am at Sanky Tank or Jakkar Lake, I am there to wait. My Nikon D3500 and 300mm lens aren't just tools, they are my companions for the hours I spend sitting in the mud, waiting for a Great Cormorant or a Shikra to land in the right spot. I don't force a shot. I let nature dictate the pace.

The Editing Process

This is where the 'Behind the Lens' aspect gets real. Photography is half the story. I spend hours post-processing to balance light, color, and mood. I don't believe in over-editing, but I do believe in removing distractions like urban wires or harsh shadows that take away from the natural story. My recent hardware upgrade wasn't for vanity; it was a necessity to ensure that when I am grading raw files, the software doesn't lag. If you hire me, you are getting not just the person who waited for the bird, but the person who meticulously edits that image to bring the wild into your screen.