Wildlife photography is a genre of photography which deals with documenting various forms of wildlife in their natural habitat. It is one of the more challenging forms of photography which requires sound technical skills and patience. A wildlife photographer has to be good in field craft skills and must be aware of the animal/bird’s behavior in order to predict its actions. Almost a decade ago there was hardly a wildlife photographer in Pakistan. But now the situation has changed and according to an estimate there are more than 50 wildlife photographers. Awais Ali Sheikh, based in Lahore, is one of those wildlife photographers. He has graduated in Graphic Design from University of the Punjab’s College of Art & Design and is doing to nature photography for six years. During his studies he fell in love with photography and decided to shoot nature with his DSLR. He is passionate about birds and has captured on camera a number of unique and beautiful birds. He takes pride in the fact that his work has inspired many hunters and they stopped hunting wildlife. In an exclusive interview with Sunday Plus he talks about how he started wildlife photography. He reveals many facts of being a wildlife photographer. Following are excerpts of the interview:
Q: Tell us something about yourself and how did you start wildlife photography?
When I was in the first year of graphic designing, I came to know about photography as a subject. It inspired me and I decided to opt it as a subject as well as a hobby. But I wanted to do something different from wedding photography or photo shoots which were common genres. I did some research on social network and I came to know about Mr. Ghulam Rasool Mughal who was a wildlife photographer working for WWF. His pictures inspired me and I decided to be a wildlife photographer.
Q: Did you get any formal training?
No. I didn’t get any formal training. I took initial guideline from GR Mughal. He briefed me about the basics and said that I would learn it with experience and maximum exposure to nature. I started wildlife photography in 2009.
Q: Did you ever participate in any photography contest?
I participated in many photography competitions and with grace of God I have won 15 national and international awards. The major awards were for capturing culture and landscape. Recently I won second prize of wildlife photography which was organised in Lahore Zoo. It is pleasing to see that there are more than 50 wildlife photographers. When I started I was either the first or the second photographer in wildlife photography.
Q: What makes animals/birds special for you and how do you come to know about the exact time of capturing them in a photograph?
Every animal or bird has its own behaviour. When you regularly visit one specific place and study the behaviour of one specific bird or animal, you come to know about the perfect time of click. Observing any specific bird lets you know about its timing that when it eats, when it mates or when it migrates etc. Hence you determine the exact time of taking a picture.
Q: Does mastering field craft to study any animal or bird behaviour is enough or you also study some literature about them?
Yes we study a lot about the birds i.e. from where they come, the time when they migrate to towards Pakistan, what environment do they live in, etc. We keep all this information in mind when we experiment these birds in the field.
Q: How important is gear for any wildlife photographer?
Camouflage dress is very much important for birds. Birds are very good in judging a hunter. We feel proud when any bird sees us and does not fly. But camouflage is essential so that the bird’s environment should not be disturbed.
Q: How do you think Photography can change People’s attitude towards few endangered species wildlife?
Photography allows people to know about the beauty of nature which they fail to observe most of the time in their routine and busy life. Through photography they come to know about the endangered species which were once common and now are no more to be seen. So people’s love for nature increases.
Q: What makes a best wildlife picture for you?
I think capturing a bird with its surrounding environment makes a best picture.
Q: Any particular species of animals or birds you love to photograph?
In Pakistan we have over 750 species of birds. But all these are scattered. Some live in northern areas and some live in other parts of the country. But in my circle where I can go and which attracted me is Common Kingfisher. It is an amazing bird and very difficult to capture in shoot. It is very quick in its movement. Besides, there are many other birds which are in my wish list like Kalij Pheasant, Blue Throated Barbet etc.
Q: For photography what places have you travelled up till now?
I try to focus zero line area because at borders hunting is less and migration of birds is high. At such places you often see endangered species. Most of the times I visit the surrounding areas of Lahore and in out station destinations I visit Head Marala or Margalla Hills.
Q: How much the margin of Photoshop is there in pictures?
I think software is designed to use and enhance the beauty of the pictures. You can adjust the light in the pictures or crop it. But I think cloning or manipulation should not be done. Adobe Photoshop should be used in limits.
Q: What were the biggest mistakes you made when you first started out as a bird photographer?
Once we found a nest of an owl which was very beautiful. I decided with my colleague to see its nest to check whether there are kids or eggs. So we made the owl to fly and climbed up the tree to check its nest. There was one egg and we took a photograph just for documentation purpose. But that owl was very clever. Even in day light he saw or had sensed that these people had done sort of activity with its nest. So the next day when we went there again, the egg was missing from the nest. Either the owl had broken that egg or had shifted it somewhere else. That was our mistake and from there onward we decided never to interfere again.
Q: What's the best thing about being a photographer?
A wildlife photographer becomes very organised and conscious of his time. As we have to reach everywhere at exact time so we start managing our time in best possible way. Secondly, I have to get up very early in the morning so it helps me to offer my Fajar prayer.
Q: What are the difficulties faced by a wildlife photographer?
Wildlife photography needs budget. You have to be financially strong because you need different equipment and gadgets and the transportation charges.
Q: What cameras / lenses do you use?
Canon 7D, 400mm f5.6 Lens
Quick Questions
Basic traits for being a Wildlife Photographer...
Love for nature, respect for nature and care for nature.
What kind of a Person is Awais Ali Khan?
Nature lover; always passionate to do something new
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My cousins who were once hunters are now wildlife photographer because of me
Where would you like to live?
At a place where nature and birds are in abundance.
What is the rarest bird or animal you photographed?
White stork, Openbill stork, Greater spotted eagle
Which is your favourite photo location?
Margalla Hills
Besides Wildlife photography what would you like to shoot?
Sports
