Winner of numerous awards from Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2016, Birds Category (Natural History Museum, London) to first place in the macro category in Nature Photography Network, Ganesh H. Shankar is also the co-author of the book, Daroji – An Ecological Destination and the founding member of Creative Nature Photography, a popular online photography forum. He has also served on the jury of several photography awards including the Sanctuary Wildlife Photography Awards 2017. As a nature photographer, Shankar believes that his is a long and never-ending journey in search of art, and he is always on the lookout for forms, shapes, details, postures, light and more that is relatable to life’s experiences. His artistry is evident in his images that take the reader to a whole new level of visual experience. He speaks to Lakshmy Raman about his work and why he believes that photographers must choose to define the intent behind their imagery.
WHY WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY? HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN PHOTOGRAPHY?
I completed my post-graduation in Computer Science and joined government service as a scientist. Though I am an engineer by profession, photography is my true passion. I took it up as a hobby over two decades ago. I bought my first point-and-shoot camera in 1993 to capture the beauty of the Western Ghats during a trek. A few years later, a classmate of mine introduced me to SLR cameras and bought one for me. I was hooked! I spent all my spare time exploring natural habitats and trying to capture some of its magic and glory. I taught myself the basics of nature photography by reading a series of books written by the great John Shaw.
WHO WERE YOUR INFLUENCES WHILE GROWING UP?
I spent much of my childhood years with my grandmother in a small coastal village called Bada near Byndoor in the Udupi district of Karnataka. She truly played a key role in my love for nature. My grandmother had the task of managing the household livestock. I often accompanied her to the nearby foothills of the Western Ghats to bring back our cows and buffaloes. Those silent, pristine streams and mountains and valleys etched lasting impressions in my mind. I grew up listening wide-eyed to stories my grandmother regaled me with about tigers attacking our cows, about King Vultures and more. I often saw vultures in the wild then, but sadly they are now a rarity. All these early experiences moulded my interests and made me who I am today.
WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT BEING A PHOTOGRAPHER?
Denne historien er fra October 2017-utgaven av Sanctuary Asia.
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Denne historien er fra October 2017-utgaven av Sanctuary Asia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Why Children Are Needed To Help Save The World
On my very first day in India, I encountered many marvelous new customs not practiced in the United States, my home country. But the most curious by far involved trees. Here and there, alongside the roaring streets of Mumbai were rings of marigold wreathed around twisting banyan trunks like dried rays of afternoon sunlight…
Who's Who?
Fact: all toads are frogs, but not all frogs are toads! Let’s unpack this...
The Sea Raptor
The White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster is one of the most common raptors along the Indian coastline. Nevertheless, the sight of this soaring, broad-winged, white and black bird of prey is nothing less than majestic
Bringing Up Bob Hoots.
While we were visiting a friend’s farm in the village of Yelachetty, near Bandipur Tiger Reserve, we found Spotted Owlets nesting on the tiled roof… and one of the chicks on the kitchen floor!
Yala, Land Of The Leopard
Yala is not only Sri Lanka’s second-largest, but also the most-visited national park in the island nation.
The Wizards Of Oz!
Australia is not only a country, but also a continent. The land down under, cut-off from the rest of the world has an abundance of unique species of native animals, birds, reptiles, insects and plants.
Scales & Tails
I was really excited and looking forward to the workshop on reptiles and amphibians at Nature’s Nest in Mollem, Goa, between June 24 and 26, 2017. It was my opportunity to meet renowned herpetologist Varad Giri.
Big, Brilliant And Endangered
When one thinks of elephants, the first word that probably comes to mind is BIG! But elephants, while they may be the largest creatures on land, are not just big and powerful, they’re wise and sensitive as well. Recent scientific studies have established that they are among the most intelligent animals in the world.
Earth Manners
Everyday habits matter! Let’s be kind to the planet, animals and ourselves!
World Scan
CHINA’S IVORY TOWNAn explosive investigation by the Environmental Investigation Agency has revealed how criminal gangs originating from an obscure town in southern China have come to dominate the smuggling of ivory tusks poached from African elephants.
