In conservation photography, connectivity is everything. And if you can connect with your subjects, the satisfaction will be beyond your imagination
What makes a good conservation photographer? It depends on how you can connect with your subject.
“Your photos are only good when you are close to your subject” – in conservation photography, this common mantra is most apt.
Here, the subject is most often not a human model, but rather a model endowed with a quick reflex and a perpetual shyness in front of the camera.
So, to connect with your subject, the first thing you need to do is gain their trust. And, to gain trust, you have to be patient, a lot in fact.
This is also true when the task becomes more Herculean, such as dealing with the human perspective on wildlife – whether that be from a tribesman or a decision maker.
Eurasian Curlew. To strengthen the bond between man and wildlife, the role of conservation photography is essential. Photo Muntasir Akash
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Eurasian Curlew. To strengthen the bond between man and wildlife, the role of conservation photography is essential. Photo Muntasir Akash
Patience, trust and connection: these are the three words that can shape your passion for conservation photography. Master them and resist leech-infested ground, knee-deep swamp, strenuous mountain trek, or any other barrier will seem easy. And for me, the result has always been gratifying.
Once I had to wait eight hours in front of a dumpster! In the golden evening light, my subject, an elusive blue-naped pitta bird, allowed me to take some of the best shots of my life and made me forget the eight hours of a still and noxious situation.
There was another occasion with a water rail bird – a wetland species, which also tested the weather. It was a winter morning and I was in a one-person canoe, wading through wet grass and narrow canals and photographing migrating birds.
My teammates, who were in two other dinghies, had their shots. But I was still struggling to get mine. What happened was that the bird got scared and hid in the grass by the side of the canal where it was feeding. I arrived a little late but I wasn’t ready to give up, I decided to wait instead.
I moored my canoe on the opposite bank in the overhanging grass. About an hour passed. Slowly all the birds on the other side started to return to normal, including the water rail. And in a split second, I had my shots.
The photos may not be award winning, but the joy of understanding and maintaining confidence in wildlife behavior was priceless. I knew the bird would come back, I knew it.
The ever-changing challenges of conservation photography
Like any other 90s kid, I grew up during a time of transition where technology was bringing the unknown world into our living rooms.
The advancement of photographic gear and accessories has facilitated the filming and photographing of otherwise extremely elusive wildlife. And with that, advances in broadcast systems had paved the way for a new genre of stills, artwork, and documentaries for wildlife conservation.
Red-headed trogon. To put rare wildlife in the spotlight, conservation photography can be a powerful medium. Photo Muntasir Akash
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Red-headed trogon. To put rare wildlife in the spotlight, conservation photography can be a powerful medium. Photo Muntasir Akash
For me, these are the biggest benefits of technology, as it has brought me closer to wildlife conservation and my causes. But with only a five-year career in conservation, I understand the dilemma posed by the rapid shift in gears and the lack of ever-sufficient funds.
In 2022, the world of photography is shifting from DSLR (single-lens digital reflex) to mirrorless cameras. The price tags, likewise, are following new highs, remaining barely affordable for a newbie.
I currently use a Canon 7D Mark II and a Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM super telephoto lens for photographing birds and mammals. The lens was released in 1992 and the body in 2014, the same year I got my first camera.
And I have to admit my current setup is a little short and old in many ways, but it’s not just the gear that makes us better photographers. The gears are the tools that guide us to express our point of view. So it all comes down to how you can perceive the frame that can relay your message in the strongest possible way.
Master the mythical profession of communicating with wildlife
In addition to mastering the technical skills of framing and composition, we must use our communication skills when taking animal photos or videos.
The ability to decode wildlife gives you the upper hand, prepping you before the next move, and helping you be in the right place at the right time for the perfect shot.
I remember my memories with the red-headed trogon, a bird that I photographed in Chattogram. It was a wet noon in a small part of the Chattogram Hill Tracts. The surrounding area was heavily logged, making the plot a grove for birds.
We were on a small ridge, facing a slope. But the day was exceptionally bland. Suddenly there was a high-pitched cry “cuok-cuok-cuok”, identical to that of the red-headed trogon, one of the secret birds of the tropical hills.
We immediately responded to the call by playing a recorded tape. Male trogons, particularly known for being territorial, are always curious about these calls. So, the one we met decided to scrutinize us with a few outings.
Then I noticed an elongated branch parallel to the ground and at eye level, connecting two large thickets. The sunlight, interrupted by the trees above, formed a beautifully broken light effect on the slope. And this little branch received an ambient spotlight.
The stage was set for a trogon shot. But our subject, the bird, was still missing. So what we did was get our little sound box lined up so the trogon noticed the branch and sat on it. And we were ready. On the third outing, it did exactly what we expected and we got the shot.
Lobster. Images of wildlife taken in the laboratory can be a powerful science and conservation tool. Photo Muntasir Akash
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Lobster. Images of wildlife taken in the laboratory can be a powerful science and conservation tool. Photo Muntasir Akash
So in conservation photography, connectivity is paramount. And if you can connect with your subjects, the satisfaction will be beyond your imagination. Good gear or not, your voices in the form of photography need to be heard.
Before 2018, we didn’t know dholes were still roaming our forests. It took a camera trap image to set off the chain reactions. Today, dholes are featured in over 30 media and newspapers, and have become a species of importance with new conservation plans underway. Such is the penetrating power of conservation photography.
Although there are countless obstacles, conservation photography is worth the price because photography is the most lucid medium that can speak on behalf of your cause, and it helps convey your message in the best possible way if you want to be a professional photographer. .
The possibilities of conservation photography in Bangladesh
Conservation photography or the use of media to strengthen conservation is a relatively untapped sector in Bangladesh. As in many developing countries, the chances and environment here of being a professional conservation photographer are still very slim.
However, since 2013 when I started wildlife photography, Bangladesh has seen an exponential growth in the community that loves seeing wildlife through the viewfinder.
That’s exactly what conservation photography is: it’s about building communities, raising awareness, and gradually engaging them in wildlife conservation.
Today, this kind of photography has also become a central part of any conservation endeavor. So whenever you plan a field project, save room for photography.
It can be any species you are interested in, from the smallest invertebrates to the largest land mammals. Don’t think too much about quality. The better, the better, but being able to capture precious wildlife moments and share them with targeted stakeholders should be the priority.
Spotted deer in the Sundarbans. Conservation photography can highlight precious but elusive moments of wildlife. Photo Muntasir Akash
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Spotted deer in the Sundarbans. Conservation photography can highlight precious but elusive moments of wildlife. Photo Muntasir Akash
We seek to establish our cause with science. We want to educate people about our species. The carefully crafted plans under a tight schedule and budget, early morning, late night, sweltering heat, pouring rain, family time, downtime, missed shots, great shots – everything, inch by inch, brings you closer to your reasonings.
Recall your first moment with dinosaurs through the 1994 film Jurassic Park; the moment you first watched a documentary narrated by Sir David Attenborough; or the countless times you glanced at the brilliant photographs of a field guide.
Who knows what a wave of emotions someone will feel when discovering a species for the first time thanks to your work! Maintain the connection, film with your camera and share!
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