Wildlife Photography
Gir National Park
I photograph birds and wildlife in Navi Mumbai and other wild places, focusing on real stories and conservation through patient fieldwork.
Pricing Guide
Wildlife Editing Workflow Session
Culling & Composition
- Selection Process: Logic for filtering burst-mode sequences to identify optimal head angles and catchlights.
- Cropping: Techniques for using negative space to enhance the narrative of the image.
Lightroom Mastery
- Subject Masking: Specific exposure recovery methods to lift shadows on birds without blowing out the sky.
- Color Grading: Tools and settings to achieve Golden Hour and Blue Hour aesthetics.
Technical Corrections
- Noise Reduction: Tutorial on using AI tools like Topaz DeNoise for high-ISO forest shots.
- Sharpening: Selective sharpening workflows to enhance feather details while maintaining background smoothness.
- Practice File: One raw file from the portfolio provided for real-time practice.
Wetland Bird Photography Walk
Pre-Walk Planning
- Tide Analysis: Verification of water levels at TS Chanakya, NRI Complex, or Bhandup to ensure bird proximity to shore.
- Gear Consultation: 15-minute pre-shoot call to finalize lens choices (telephoto vs wide) and required mudflat footwear (gumboots).
On-Field Mentorship (4 Hours)
- Expert Spotting: Identification of Lesser/Greater Flamingos, Painted Storks, and Waders using professional binoculars.
- Camera Settings: Real-time adjustments for flight shots (Shutter speed >1/2000s) and Auto-ISO management.
- Lighting Techniques: Instruction on exposure compensation for backlit silhouettes and rim-light shots.
- Fieldcraft: Guidance on low-angle positioning (eye-level perspective) and non-intrusive approach techniques.
Post-Session
- Image Review: Instant feedback on 5 to 10 key shots via camera LCD.
- Debrief: Local breakfast and tea at a nearby stall while reviewing session results.
Private Rare Species Expedition
Logistics & Access
- Targeted Location: Site selection based on specific species (Western Ghats for reptiles or Panvel for ODKF).
- Camouflage Setup: Provision and setup of portable hides or natural cover to enable close-range photography of skittish subjects.
Advanced Technique
- Action Focus: Training on back-button focus and pre-focus methods for high-speed moments like dives or feeding.
- Macro Lighting: Instruction on using external flash and diffusers for soft light on reptiles and amphibians.
- Depth of Field: Guidance on focus stacking techniques for macro subjects.
Field Support
- Assistance: Spotting services and help with carrying tripods or extra gear during treks.
- Safety Measures: Basic first aid and leech protection protocols for monsoon forest environments.
About Wildlife Photography
Why I Do This
Wildlife photography is more than just clicking photos for me. It started with a rented lens and a random birding trip - now, it's my way of exploring, discovering, and protecting. When I look through my camera, everything else fades away. Honestly, yeh ek dum mast stress buster hai (it’s a total stress buster). I want people to see what we’re losing in places like Navi Mumbai, where flamingos and other birds still visit, even as the wetlands shrink.
What I Capture
My main focus is creating moody wildlife portraits and authentic stories from nature. Birds are my first love - kingfishers, flamingos, raptors, and even those urban birds you wouldn’t expect in the city. I keep finding new species around Navi Mumbai and sometimes go further for bigger animals, like Asiatic lions in Gir or desert foxes in Rajasthan. I like shooting in golden hour light, using fog and rain to add atmosphere, sometimes keeping it minimalist with just one subject against the landscape.
Where I Shoot
Most of my work is based in Navi Mumbai. I know the city’s wetlands and hidden spots well, especially for urban bird photography. I also travel to places like Gir National Park, the Western Ghats, and Jaisalmer to capture unique wildlife and conservation photo stories.
My Approach
I’m patient, sometimes crawling for ages or sitting in one spot for hours. Birding ne mujhko patience sikhaya (birding taught me patience). Every shot is a mix of adrenaline and calm. I use my Nikon setup to make sure I don’t miss those rare moments that tell a story.
Meet your Expert
Tushar Tandel
133 connects in last 3 months
My Story
People call me a wildlife photographer, but honestly, I’m just a guy with a regular job and a camera. Ek din, bas mazaak mazaak mein Nikon lens hire kiya (One day, just for fun, I hired a Nikon lens). Birding ka nasha lag gaya, yaar. That first viewfinder moment—total silence, just me and the bird. Pure meditation. Patience sikhaya birding ne. Now, I wake up before sunrise, crawl in mud, skip meals, all for that one shot. It’s not glamorous, but it’s my therapy, my purpose.
My Work
Wildlife & Bird Photography - I shoot birds, lions, and more in their wild homes. Urban wildlife photography and documentary-style wildlife videos are my thing.
Story Behind Every Frame - Every photo has a struggle—like crawling 50 meters for a Tawny Eagle. The mood, the atmosphere, that’s what I chase.
My Favourite Spots - Mostly roaming Navi Mumbai’s wetlands, Gir’s lions, or searching in the Thar desert wildlife. Each place has its own magic.
Photography with a Purpose - I use conservation photography to show the beauty and threats to places like flamingo-filled wetlands. My photos speak for protection.
