An important tip in image making is a photographer’s ability to visualize the shots before clicking the camera. Take some time to study the subject and see what you can do with it.

Early mornings are the best time for these kind of creative shots when there’s play of shadow and light combined with mist or fog. During the drive in Kahna National Park I saw the rays of light falling on areas of shadow across the safari track. I asked the driver to stop and waited for some subject to enter the frame. This scene is good by itself, but a subject in this light creates a powerful impact on the image. Of course, a tiger entering the scene would be the jackpot.

Although no charismatic fauna crossed the path, I did have another option. I waited for another safari jeep to pass us and travel in the path which was lit by these golden rays, completing the picture with an element in the frame which conveys a story about that place. The mood of the morning safari is portrayed in this picture, making it a much more compelling composition.

I was able to capture similar images in Kanha and Bandhavgarh during the early morning safari. These are from Kanha.

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 70-200 f2.8 L IS II @ 70mm, ISO 400, f2.8 @ 1/8000, Evaluative Metering -1 2/3 Stop, Aperture Priority, WB at 6000k.