Discovering beautiful wings in Seshachalam forests

April 30, 2015

Without risk there is no thrill, says Karthik Sai

Hyderabad: Bird photography is one of the most interesting genres of photography, where patience is everything and here is an impressive collection of beautiful feathers and beaks by an enthusiastic photographer Karthik Sai, who is not a photog by profession but calls it a passion. He captured many elegant birds in the forest region of Seshachalam, which is a home to nearly 178 species of birds, in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh.

“Photography is a feeling of touch and love. What you have caught on film is captured forever… It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything,” says Karthik.

Here are the excerpts from the exclusive interview with Mango News :

Describe your journey as a person and photographer.

I completed my graduation from Chennai Hindustan University and later completed BBA. My uncle inspired me a lot and helped me read loads of books on Photography, which became more than passion.

Tickell's blue flycatcher | Karthik Sai Photography — Tickell’s blue flycatcher (Cyornis tickelliae) is an unmistakably lovely and small passerine bird in the flycatcher family, found in dense scrub to forest habitats.

What inspired you to capture these beautiful birds ?

I love nature, especially animals. Birds are god’s creation with alluring multiple colours and voices, that inspired me to capture them.

Asian paradise fly catcher | Karthik Sai Photography — Asian paradise fly catcher is another type of bird that takes your breath away with its long colourful plumage. These inhabit thick forests and well-wooded habitats from Turkestan to Manchuria, all over India and Sri Lanka to the Malay Archipelago on the islands of Sumba and Alor.

What type of camera (specifications) do you prefer the most ?

I use canon 7D, it is a semi professional camera, that captures 8 photographs per second. This really helps me a lot to snap expected photos.

Brown-headed barbet | Karthik Sai Photography — Brown-headed barbet is a bird that captures the eye with its unmatchable bristle. They mostly live in the Indian subcontinent and also seen in Bangladesh and Sril Lanka.

How can wildlife photographers help to protect nature ?

Wildlife photographers do great works by taking good photographs of nature and thus help people to protect mother nature also create awareness.

Blue-capped rock thrush | Karthik Sai Photography — Blue-capped rock thrush (Monticola cinclorhynchus) is an attractive one in bright coloured plumage. The bird is a summer visitor in parts of Afghanistan and along the Himalayas from Pakistan to Arunachal Pradesh.

What (do you think) makes a great photograph ?

Simple and artistic mind creates great photographs.

Male Oriental Magpie-Robin | Karthik Sai Photography — The male Oriental Magpie-Robin (Copsychus saularis) is truly gorgeous with the distinctive display of black and white colours. It is a national bird for Bangladesh and is recognised as ‘Doyel’.

Which photographer influenced you to opt this path ?

Rathika Ramasamy, one of the great wildlife photographers in India, inspires me a lot.

Female Oriental Magpie-Robin — The female Oriental Magpie-Robin is another captivating species with its grace.

What are your future projects, goals and assignments ?

Planning to capture more good photos of birds and also started writing a book on birds and their behavior.

Blow-your-mind is the only way to describe this White-rumped shama (Copsychus malabaricus). The ‘must-see’ bird is a songster, native to densely vegetated habitats in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.

Any special moment with the wild life ?

Every day is special moment to me. There were many risky moments that still scares me. Once I have been to Bandipur tiger reserve in Karnataka. I was chased by two big tuskers, luckily I managed to escape but it was a great experience. Interestingly, these moments makes me more stronger to take good pictures. Wildlife is all ways risky still I love to do it. Without risk there is no thrill.

Tickell's blue flycatcher — Tickell’s blue flycatcher

What are the unique challenges in wildlife photography ?

Biggest challenge is to wait for hours and hours for a single frame. Sitting in one place for capturing birds will take hours but the final output makes me happy.