INTO THE lair

A childhood tradition, a touch and go with nostalgia, learning and unlearning and eschewing convention.

- ARJUN ANAND

MY DAY AT RANTHAMBORE STARTS AT 4AM

I wake up, usually before the alarm goes off. I still keep it, though. You never know when it will come in handy. It’s dark outside, but you can faintly hear the hustle and bustle of everyone’s morning pre-safari ritual. Sometimes I play some light music as I get ready. I like jazz.

I put on my lucky cap and check to see if all my gear is in place. As I pack each piece of equipment carefully into my camera case, I think about ways to challenge myself. Might carry a different set of lenses, perhaps something wider to include some of the habitat in the image.

I think my 35mm and 58mm Nikon lenses would be a good choice.