Ever since the popularity of SLR cameras has seen a tremendous rise, more and more people have developed an unanticipated fascination for photography, and the photography fanatics have endeavoured into the category which previously was explored by only a few: Wildlife Photography.
source:ettoday.net
Anybody with a keen interest in the faunal life can think on the lines of pursuing a career in wildlife photography. Before we discuss the various courses and scopes of wildlife photography as a career, it is better to get a firm grounding on the basic aspects of wildlife photography.
Understanding the Behaviour of Wild Animals
Before you take your first step in the direction of becoming a wildlife photographer, you need to understand the behaviour of wild animals. You must be prepared to spend quality time outdoors; as it is only then that you will take a firm step in becoming a wildlife photographer.
Practicing Hard
Before you enrol for a professional course, it is better to take some practice shots. You can try capturing your pet dog or any other animal in the vicinity. This will give you a rough idea on the difficulties which you might face when shooting in the wild.
Courses available
You can enroll for an online course to sharpen your wildlife photography skills. These courses have a basic fee for the entire course module, though the basic lessons can be accessed for free.
If looking for a regular course in wildlife photography, a keen student of the subject has a range of options in India.
Delhi School of Photography
A key name in the list, Delhi School of Photography offers a range of courses for an amateur learner. Delhi School of Photography offers the following courses in wildlife photography:
- Diploma in Wildlife Photography
- Certificate Course in Nature and Wildlife Photography
Wildlife Institute of India
An internationally acclaimed institute, the Dehradun based Wildlife Institute of India offers diploma and degree courses in Wildlife Management. Wildlife photography is a key component of the course module at Wildlife Institute of India. If you wish to take your wildlife photography career to a new high, it is highly recommended that you enroll for one of the courses at this institute.
School of Photography, Bharati Vidyapeeth, Pune
An established University in the making, Bharati Vidyapeeth has an established school of photography. The School offers certificate course in wildlife and travel photography wherein the students get to learn the basics and advanced features of wildlife photography and carry out some practice assignments before making venture into the raw world of wildlife photography.
The Course Module
During any of the courses mentioned above the students are taught basics of wildlife photography besides the need to develop an understanding on various specialized equipments involved. Shooting under adverse conditions too is an essential for all the wildlife courses and the students get to have a feel of animal behaviour during the various study tours carried out in the course curriculum.
Trend and Scope of Wildlife Photography
Wildlife photography has been in news ever since the camera was discovered. With advancement in technology, things started brightening up and wildlife photography developed as a career.
The scope of wildlife photography is unlimited and with international magazines and journals dealing with wildlife having an increasing presence in India, the demand for quality wildlife photographers is on the rise.
Freelancing is also a viable career option for a wildlife photographer and they get to travel a lot during the course of their assignments. Besides working for an educational institute as a teacher and professor in due course of time, a wildlife photographer can also seek employment in a Non Government Organization (NGO) dealing with various facades of wildlife.
Famous Wildlife Photographers of International Acclaim
The list is endless when it comes to famous wildlife photographers who have been able to make their presence felt, especially in the international circuit. Some of the renowned ones are:
- Alexander Mustard
- Andy Rouse
- Rathika Ramasamy
- Anup Shah
- Bill Curtsinger
- Ganesh H Shankar
- Brian Hampton
- Frans Lanting
The list is pretty endless and all of these have made it to the top with their grit and determination to do something unique in the raw wild. By pursuing the above listed strategy, you will be ensuring a place for yourself in the list of acclaimed wildlife photographers in due course of time.
If you’re interested in Wildlife Photography and want to join a course, you can post your Wildlife Photography course requirement here.
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