Listen to wildlife photographers and conservationists speak, see photographs they share, and learn from people on the field, at the third edition of Asia’s premier nature and wildlife photography festival -- Nature InFocus.
Organised by two popular Bengaluru photographers – Rohit Varma and Kalyan Varma – the two-day festival, on July 8 and 9, will bring together renowned conservationists, photographers and ecologists from across the globe to deliberate on the urgent need for nature and wildlife conservation.
The subjects that will be covered will span from micro to macros photography, landscapes, action, portraits, a don videography as well.
“There is a huge community of nature and wildlife photographers in India but we found that there was no platform to showcase or learn from well-known international photographers, especially on aspects like how to use photography for conservation,” is how co-founder and festival director Rohit Varma explains the reason why they started this festival. Marine photography, not very popular in India yet, will be discussed in a more focussed manner at this year’s event, he says. Every year, they also call for entries for the Nature InFocus awards. While last year they had 1,860 entries, this year, it has jumped to 2,565, with entries coming in from Singapore, U.K., U.S.A., Russia, U.A.E., and Italy as well, says Rohit.
The winners will be picked by a five-member jury of famous photographers and filmmakers – Steve Winter, Aditya “Dicky” Singh, Arati Kumar Rao, Ganesh H. Shankar, and Rita Banerji. About 20 photographs across six categories will be on display at the exhibition.
Rohit observes that Bengaluru has been a pioneer in nature and wildlife photography in the country, with access to nearby natural parks and reserves being the catalyst. With people from the IT industry in the city turning to nature photography as a stress buster, the number has grown phenomenally over the last five years, says Rohit. While a lot of newbie nature photographers have come in for criticism for disturbing the environment and provoking animals, Rohit says, “In every field you will find people who are unethical... some may have crossed the line. Which is why we need more awareness and help photographers develop a self-consciousness.”
Some of the speakers at the festival, from across the globe, include the likes of Cristina Mittermeier - marine biologist and photographer, primatologist Dr. Anindya Sinha, Ian Lockwood-educator, photographer and environmentalist, Jenny Nichols-conservation filmmaker, Tallo Anthony-Green Hub Fellow (2015-16), and the 60-plus Tui De Roy- a renowned wildlife photographer from New Zealand.
The forum will also see the participation of Rajesh Puttaswamaiah, citizen scientist / wildlife photographer, Hans Dalal- tiger conservationist, photography mentor Sheeram M.V., Siddharth Chakravarty-marine conservationist, Sital Dako-Green Hub Fellow (2015-16), and wildlife photographers Dhritiman Mukherjee, Diinesh Kumble, Suyash Keshari, Dr. Arun S.K. – an honorary wildlife warden and laparoscopic surgeon, bird photographer M. Kiran Poonacha and more.
The event will be held at Indiranagar Club, and the fee for the two-day event is Rs. 3,000. Spot registrations will also be taken.
For details log on to www.natureinfocus.in
