Rathika Ramasamy
She’s admired a lion from a distance of two feet, spent nights at national parks trying to get the best shots of exotic species and is the country’s first female wildlife photographer. Rathika Ramasamy’s story is truly an interesting one, and inspiring as well.
From MBA to photography:
I bought my first Sigma 170-500mm lens in 2003 and I cherish that moment till date. Then, there was no looking back.
Her journey so far:
Last year, I had been to the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. It’s one of the largest wildlife reserves in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. My stint with the lions, cheetah and lots of other wildlife was an unforgettable experience! In 2010, I published my first photo book on bird photography, which is a collection of my best bird photographs. I’ve also been conducting photography workshops regularly all over India.
Most memorable experience:
I had went to Jim Corbett National Park, where I was staying inside the forest at a camp. I spotted a tiger with its kill, in a water body. As the park is very large, spotting a tiger there is always a special moment. I can also never forget how I shot a pair of spotted owlets (athene brama) at Sultanpur National Park in Haryana, in 2008. Spotted owlets are nocturnal birds like owls, but smaller in size. In Tanzania, last year, I got to see a lion from a distance of two feet. It was so mesmerising. For a few minutes, I stood stunned looking at the magnificent animal and simply forgot to shoot.
On being India’s first woman wildlife photographer:
To be frank, the thought that wildlife photography is male dominated did not cross my mind initially. I realised only later that I was the first woman to venture into this field. I feel elated when young girls come up to me and say that I’m their inspiration.
Her role model and inspiration:
Arthur Morris for his bird photography. His photographs are not just a documentation of birds. He captures fine action shots with a great aesthetic composition. The more I observe nature from close proximity, the more inspiring it is. In this field, you have to spend more time watching.
Advice to aspiring women photographers:
For budding wildlife photographers, I would say that good technical knowledge and in-depth knowledge of the subjects help to become a good photographer.