Woman in the wilderness: Rathika

From MBA to PhotographyMy interest in wildlife photography started around 2003. Once visiting Bharatpur sanctuary, I enjoyed watching the birds and wanted to capture these creatures so that I can keep seeing them. The next thing I did was, bought my first Sigma 170-500mm lens and then the journey just took its own course. Since New Delhi, where I live is surrounded by bird sanctuaries and national parks, we have  good bird activity for 4 to 5 months in a year. This is how my interest in bird photography  increased.Journey into the WildI had been to the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania in 2009. It’s one of the largest wildlife reserves in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. My ‘date’ with the lions, cheetah and lots of other wildlife was an unforgettable experience! In 2010, I published my first photo book on bird photography. I’ve also been conducting photography workshops regularly all over India. I have been lucky to visit the Jim Corbett Park in Uttaranchal, Kanha in Madhya Pradesh, Ranthambore and Keolodeo in Rajasthan, Eravikulamand Periyar and Salim Ali in Kerala, Vedanthangal in Tamil Nadu, Nallapattu  in AP, and Chilka Lake in Odisha. Most memorable ExperienceDuring my visit to Jim Corbett National Park, I was staying in a forest camp when I spotted a tiger with its kill, in a water body. As the park is very large, spotting a tiger was a special moment for me. I can also never forget how I shot a pair of spotted owlets (athene brama) at Sultanpur National Park in Haryana, in 2008. Spotted owlets are nocturnal birds like owls, but smaller in size. In Tanzania, I got to see a lion from a distance of two feet. It was so mesmerising. For a few minutes, I stood stunned looking at the magnificent animal and simply forgot to shoot. Recently, during my trip to Ranthambore National Park, I was lucky to capture tigers mating. As they mate once in a year, it was a rare scene.Interest in PhotographyPhotographs convey much more than words. Photographs of wildlife connect people to nature and help increase awareness about wildlife and its conservation. They can help people understand how certain human activities can wreak havoc on natural habitats and wildlife. Photographers should use their work for awareness campaigns.Your role ModelThere is no role model as such but I do get inspired by Arthur Morris for his bird photography. His photographs are not just a documentation of birds. He captures fine action shots with a great aesthetic composition. The more I observe nature from close proximity, the more inspiring it is. In this field, you have to spend more time watching.A word of adviceFor budding wildlife photographers, I would say that good technical knowledge and in-depth knowledge of the subjects help to become a good photographer. If you believe that you can do it, pursue wildlife photography, otherwise it is a tough job.