Capturing Small Wonders: Reptiles & Macro Life
Beyond the lions and birds, there is an entire world moving beneath our feet. I focus on documenting the intricate details of reptiles and insects that often go unnoticed in our forests.
The stunning fan-throated lizard in action. This film showcases the male's courtship ritual, where it unfurls a vibrant throat fan and performs elaborate head-bobs and push-ups to attract a mate.
On a nocturnal trail in the Western Ghats, I filmed this Deccan Banded Gecko using its tongue to delicately clean a raindrop from its eye. It's a rare, intimate moment of self-care in the wild.
A macro portrait of the Deccan Banded Gecko. The incredible detail shows the texture of its skin, the water droplets, and the intricate pattern of its eye as it licks it clean.
People say a camera is a waste of money, but it's my gateway to moments like this. A close-up portrait of a vibrant Green Vine Snake, revealing the stunning detail of its scales and eye.
About this collection
Macro photography is not just about having the right lens; it is about knowing how to hold your breath while the subject decides to move. Whether I am shooting a fan-throated lizard's courtship display or capturing a gecko in the dark, the goal is to get low, stay still, and wait for that one clean shot. You do not need a massive rig to document this, but you do need enough patience to let the creature get comfortable with your presence.
Macro videography is a humbling game. When you zoom in on a Deccan Banded Gecko, you realize how much life exists in the tiny corners of our forests. My approach to reptiles and insects is identical to how I shoot big mammals—I focus on the story and the behavior, not just the static image.
In places like Tamhini Nature's Nest, the work usually starts after dark. You are dealing with low light, humidity, and the challenge of finding something that is naturally trying to blend in. I carry my Nikon Z50 with a 105mm macro lens, relying on a Godox V1 and a diffuser to light the subject without overwhelming it. It is precise work. You are trying to capture the texture of skin or the way a creature cleans its eye, moments that are usually invisible to the naked eye.
Clients often ask me if they need special equipment for this. If you are hiring me to document your nature trail or a specific project, you do not need to worry about the gear. I bring the macro setup and the fieldcraft required to find these species safely. It is not about simply cataloging the rarest species; it is about finding the most interesting behaviors and making them visible to others.
Tushar Tandel
I am Tushar, a guy with a day job and a camera who prefers crawling in the mud to sitting in a studio. For me, wildlife is about the tiny, overlooked details that define a forest. I do not just shoot animals; I document the patience it takes to find them.
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