Dr Caesar Photography - from the diaries ...

Wildlife photography as a career in India, used to sound like a dream a couple of years back. Lucky had been those who could persuade their profession and passion simultaneously. For most, wildlife and wildlife photography remained as a childhood passion and one amongst the many lost dreams condemned by our professional pursuits.

However, building a career in wildlife photography definitely demands the photographs to stand out amongst thousands and hand holding and personalized knowledge sharing helps one to improvise and excel – and hence this effort.

Today the trend is visibly changing. More and more people have started thinking differently; many have started taking serious interest in learning photography and adopting wildlife photography as a full time career.

In the country, there are maestros in wildlife photography who have taken Indian wildlife photographers to an international platform. These masters are making their best efforts to disseminate knowledge amongst the new comers. Budding photographers and amateurs are enthusiastic about it but limited resources and the cost of it becomes a major challenge.a full time carrier. Today, we can see endless opportunities for a wildlife photographer from print media to graphic designing, from exhibitions to stock photography, from photo tours to guided expeditions, from organized camps to sponsored projects, from natural history to conservation photography, from research to film making – options are too many.

www.drcaesarphotography.com is now a strong team comprising of established wildlife photographers, naturalists, conservationists, biologists of the country and veterans in the field of digital photography. Having travelled through the same road, we understand the hurdles and challenges faced in taking this hobby to the next orbit. We, as a team, are putting our honest efforts to make wildlife and wildlife photography learning available to the enthusiasts and amateurs in multiple locations of the country at an affordable cost.

We have initiated a country wide chain of Wildlife Photography workshops, Photography tours and expeditions in multiple locations across the Indian geography with a focused objective of guiding and educating wildlife enthusiasts about natural history, biodiversity and importance of conservation.

I thank all for the motivation and appreciation extended since www.drcaesarphotography.com has gone live. We aspire to achieve newer heights in the coming years towards this objective.

Lost Amphibians of India - Nationwide search !!

Life happened on earth 3.5 billion years back and human life came in much later. In spite of scientific progress, about 70% of species still remain undiscovered and nameless. We have discovered about 1.7 million species on land and in water. So what remains undiscovered is a huge portion of our biodiversity. Against the background of still unknown richness of biodiversity, this century has witnessed rapid extinctions of species. Millions of species are disappearing directly as a result of human destruction of natural habitats.

There are about 7000 species of known amphibians. Among vertebrates, they are the third largest group – after fishes and birds. Many amphibians are yet to be discovered and many aspects of the known species are unknown. On the express road to discoveries, descriptions and conservation action is an urgent need.

Amphibians were the first vertebrates to venture out onto land. The earliest amphibians resembled modern coelacanth and lungfish both of which have leg-like fins that enabled them to crawl on land. Once acquiring solid land, these animals underwent drastic adaptations that sowed the seeds for the evolution of all higher group of vertebrates. Though small in size, amphibians have successfully survived the massive upheavals on earth which wiped out the midgets as well as giants like dinosaurs. Currently, these hardy survivors of cataclysmic events are helpless to handle habitat destruction that threatens them with extinction. As agents of this massive habitat destruction, it is high time that we take action and conserve these beautiful creatures before they go extinct.

Amphibians fascinate us not only because they have lived on this earth longer than us but also because of their beauty, behaviour and biological characteristics. Many amphibian activities have human friendly results: they control pests of agriculture and vectors of diseases like malaria. They contribute to healthy ecosystems by being a vital link between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Amphibians are also an asset to biomedical research; by studying the permeable skin of amphibians, scientists have made advancements towards potential painkillers, HIV and skin cancer treatments. Frogs are indicators of ecosystem health. Silence of frogs is a loud message that something is seriously wrong with our ecosystems.


SEARCH FOR THE LOST AMPHIBIANS

Teams of scientists and naturalists from India have started the lost amphibian search. This initiative is launched with the hope of rediscovering over 50 species of lost amphibians in India. These animals are feared to be extinct but there is hope that some may be holding on in a few remote places. This search, which is taking place in 15 states of India, is the first ever coordinated effort to find such a large number of lost creatures. Globally amphibian populations are on a shocking decline – with more than 30 per cent of all species threatened with extinction. Lost Amphibians of India (LAI) initiative currently has about 200 members . It has already conducted eight expeditions and is planning 25 more expeditions within two months before
monsoon ends.


ABOUT CHIEF COORDINATOR - LAI

Sathyabhama Das Biju (SD Biju) is a Professor in the Department of Environmental Biology (Systematics Lab http://www.frogindia.org/), University of Delhi. He has a PhD in Biology (Animal Science: Amphibians) from Vrije Universiteit (Brussels) with the greatest distinction, as well as a PhD in Botany from Calicut University in plant systematics. He is also Scientific Associate at the British Museum of Natural History, London and a visiting researcher/faculty at Vrije Universiteit, Brussels. SD Biju specializes in systematics of Indian amphibians, with over 25 years of field experience. He discovered over 100 new species of amphibians (46 formally described till 2011), including the description of a new family, six new genera and the smallest Indian tetrapod. SD Biju is the recipient of the prestigious IUCN/SSC Amphibian Specialist Group’s Sabin Award for the year 2008 in recognition of his amphibian research and conservation initiatives. The award carried a cash prize of 25,000 USD and a citation. Presently, he is the coordinator of Lost! Amphibians of India program, an initiative to rediscover 50 ‘lost’ amphibians which have been not reported after their original description, for a period ranging from 30 to 170 years.

http://www.lostspeciesindia.org/LAI2

For complete publication and research visit: http://www.frogindia.org

On trail of India's lost amphibians

Reproduction -

Time of India main edition, 17th July 2011

After scouring forests and marshlands across the nation trying to locate rarely sighted amphibians, wildlife researchers and naturalists, who are part of the Lost Amphibians of India (LAI) initiative, will share their findings today at a press conference in Navi Mumbai.


LAI is a search taking place simultaneously in 16 states for 67 amphibian species that have been 'missing' for a period ranging from 16 years to 169 years. Around 24 teams of researchers and nationalists are involved in the project.

Dr Caesar Sen Gupta, who is a member of the expedition teams from Mumbai, said, the aim of the project is to locate species that have not been spotted since their first sighting.

"Until now, five species of amphibians have been rediscovered in the eight expeditions, carried out mainly in the Western Ghats and the Northeast." LAI rediscovered rare frog species, including the Chalazodes bubble-nest frog, Anamalai dot frog, Dehradun stream frog, Silent Valley tropical frog, and the Elegant tropical frog. Each of these species was last seen decades ago, and had been classified 'missing'.

Dr S D Biju, the programme coordinator of LAI, said, "For a successful conservation programme, we first need to know what we have to save.

The fact that these species were rediscovered gives us hope that all is not lost. We have gathered more data on other lost species." With around 341 recorded species, India can be called a 'global hub of amphibians'. On the flip side, however, over 40% of Indian amphibians are facing extinction. LAI hopes to garner more support and spread awareness in the coming months. Monsoon is the best time for such expeditions, and the teams have planned 20 more field trips before the rainy season ends.

According to experts, amphibians are indicator species and act as environmental barometers, making them an important part of the ecosystem. The roles they play-from controlling the population of insects and the spread of disease to humans and crops-are an important part of the ecology.

Massive habitat loss is one of the main threats that amphibians in India face. "The aim of the project is not only to find our lost amphibians, but also to see how we can conserve and protect their habitats," Biju added.

India's most wanted -- frogs

Reproduction - Sunday Mid-Day, 17th July 2011

------------------------------------------------------------------

A few weeks ago, Dr SD Biju, an eminent Indian amphibian researcher, was leading volunteers in the forests surrounding Mirik Lake in Darjeeling, West Bengal. They were on the lookout for frogs belonging to that region. Here, it's not habitat destruction that has led to the frogs' disappearance, but the fact that locals comsume them.

This is only one of the few obstacles faced by this team that functions under the umbrella organisation Lost Amphibians of India (LAI), launched in November 2010 with the plan to travel the country to rediscover India's 'lost' amphibians.



Sadly, over 50 species of amphibians in India, mostly frogs and caecilians, are thought to have gone extinct, since noone has seen them for 10 years. Some have not been seen for 18, others for 169 years. The figures are dire when one considers that about 60 per cent of Indian amphibians are not found anywhere else in the world.

Dr Biju, coordinator and brainchild, LAI, says, "They have existed for centuries and have seen many animals go extinct. But now this category is quickly disappearing too."

He thinks the reason is habitat loss. "Many might still be around but won't be for long if steps are not taken to conserve them."

The expedition team, apart from scouring the country looking for lost species and studying them, is also trying to involve the locals and forest department officials in conservation. But it's not easy. Most of these areas are marshlands, rainforests or protected areas. Plus, these animals come only at night.

But results are emerging. The LAI has already rediscovered five species of frogs that were considered extinct. These include the green Chalazodes Bubble-Nest Frog in Tamil Nadu, sighted after 136 years, the Anamalai Dot-Frog, from Kerala after 73 years, the Elegant Torrent Frog, from Karnataka after 73 years, the Stream Frog from Uttarakhand after 25 years, and the Silent Valley Tropical Frog from Kerala after 30 years.

Over 19 expeditions have already been undertaken this year. Dr Biju says, "We have found some interesting species that are being identified. Many are probably lost species, while some may be never-before-identified.

We will make an announcement about the findings in September."

While amphibians are facing extinction worldover, he says steps are being taken to conserve them in other countries. "Here, conservation activities are geared towards only certain animals," he says.

Dr Caesar Sengupta, a wildlife photographer who participated in many of LAI's expeditions, says, "Conservation activities in India focus only on the tiger and the elephant. While they are equally important, so are amphibians. Without them, there will be a major bio-diversity shift."

LOST AND FOUND - in search of Lost Amphibians of India

Search is on for finding lost amphibians. A massive combing involving over 250 members directly or indirectly in this initiative to find over 50 lost amphibians from 15 Indian states.

Dr Caesar Photography team is organizing an interactive session in Mumbai on 17th July 2011 with Dr SD Biju, the coordinator of Lost Amphibians of India. Biju is also delivering a talk on LOST and FOUND: in search of lost amphibians of India. The event is sponsored by University of Delhi, Kerala Forest Department, CEPF, IUCN/ASG.

Venue - Hotel Yogi Midtown, MIDC, Turbhe, Navi Mumbai

-------------------------------------------------------------

Abstract of the talk - "LOST AND FOUND" is as follows:

Life happened on earth 3.5 billion years back and human life came in much later. In spite of scientific progress, about 70% of species still remain undiscovered and nameless. We have discovered about 1.7 million species on land and in water. So what remains undiscovered is a huge portion of our biodiversity. Against the background of still unknown richness of biodiversity, this century has witnessed rapid extinctions of species. Millions of species are disappearing directly as a result of human destruction of natural habitats.

There are about 7000 species of known amphibians. Among vertebrates, they are the third largest group – after fishes and birds. Many amphibians are yet to be discovered and many aspects of the known species are unknown. On the express road to discoveries, descriptions and conservation action is an urgent need.

Amphibians were the first vertebrates to venture out onto land. The earliest amphibians resembled modern coelacanth and lungfish both of which have leg-like fins that enabled them to crawl on land. Once acquiring solid land, these animals underwent drastic adaptations that sowed the seeds for the evolution of all higher group of vertebrates. Though small in size, amphibians have successfully survived the massive upheavals on earth which wiped out the midgets as well as giants like dinosaurs. Currently, these hardy survivors of cataclysmic events are helpless to handle habitat destruction that threatens them with extinction. As agents of this massive habitat destruction, it is high time that we take action and conserve these beautiful creatures before they go extinct.

Amphibians fascinate us not only because they have lived on this earth longer than us but also because of their beauty, behaviour and biological characteristics. Many amphibian activities have human friendly results: they control pests of agriculture and vectors of diseases like malaria. They contribute to healthy ecosystems by being a vital link between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Amphibians are also an asset to biomedical research; by studying the permeable skin of amphibians, scientists have made advancements towards potential painkillers, HIV and skin cancer treatments. Frogs are indicators of ecosystem health. Silence of frogs is a loud message that something is seriously wrong with our ecosystems.

Search for the ‘LOST AMPHIBIANS’

Teams of scientists and naturalists from India have started the lost amphibian search. This initiative is launched with the hope of rediscovering over 50 species of "lost" amphibians in India. These animals are feared to be extinct but there is hope that some may be holding on in a few remote places. This search, which is taking place in 15 states of India, is the first ever coordinated effort to find such a large number of "lost" creatures. Globally amphibian populations are on a shocking decline – with more than 30 per cent of all species threatened with extinction. Lost Amphibians of India (LAI) initiative currently has about 200 members . It has already conducted eight expeditions and is planning 25 more expeditions within two months before

monsoon ends.

About the speaker:

Sathyabhama Das Biju (SD Biju) is a Professor in the Department of Environmental Biology (Systematics Lab http://www.frogindia.org/), University of Delhi. He has a PhD in Biology (Animal Science: Amphibians) from Vrije Universiteit (Brussels) with the greatest distinction, as well as a PhD in Botany from Calicut University in plant systematics. He is also Scientific Associate at the British Museum of Natural History, London and a visiting researcher/faculty at Vrije Universiteit, Brussels. SD Biju specializes in systematics of Indian amphibians, with over 25 years of field experience. He discovered over 100 new species of amphibians (46 formally described till 2011), including the description of a new family, six new genera and the smallest Indian tetrapod. SD Biju is the recipient of the prestigious IUCN/SSC Amphibian Specialist Group’s Sabin Award for the year 2008 in recognition of his amphibian research and conservation initiatives. The award carried a cash prize of 25,000 USD and a citation. Presently, he is the coordinator of Lost! Amphibians of India program, an initiative to rediscover 50 ‘lost’ amphibians which have been not reported after their original description, for a period ranging from 30 to 170 years.

http://www.lostspeciesindia.org/LAI2/

For complete publication and research visit: http://www.frogindia.org/

Announcing - African Safari !!!

DAY 01, NAIROBI

You begin your safari as you board your flight to Kenya - the heart of African safari!! On arrival to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport you are met by our Airport Representative and transferred to your hotel. Overnight at a hotel in Nairobi.

DAY 02, NAIROBI – TREE HOTEL

After breakfast, leave Nairobi in the morning to Nyeri, a small but fast growing town in the heart of the coffee growing and dairy farming area in the so-called former White Highlands of Kenya. After a sumptuous lunch at the base hotel, the tour leaves for a tree hotel where the evening is spent watching succession of animals that emerge from the forest and descend on floodlit water hole and salt lick, scuffling and jostling for a good vantage position. At night if you want to remain awake and watch the show-the Elephants may engage in a show of strength with each other but even they would be reluctant to challenge the rhino. The herbivores keep their distance from these two competitors. In the case of Mountain Lodge you arrive directly at the lodge for lunch. Meals and overnight at a Tree hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) You are required to pack an overnight bag when you transfer to the Ark or Treetops for the night.

DAY 03, TREE HOTEL – NAKURU / NAIVASHA

After breakfast the tour leaves for Nyahururu (Thompson’s Falls) at an altitude of 7,738 feet. The falls are named after the Scots explorer Joseph Thompson who was the first European to discover the falls in 1884. Then comes the descent into the Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru National Park for lunch at one of the hotels. An afternoon drive in the park to enjoy the sight of pelicans bathing in the fresh water streams which terminate in Lake Nakuru. Since there is no existing drainage, Lake Nakuru is alkaline, the perfect place for flamingos to feed on the blue-green algae. The greater flamingo attains a height of about 4.26 feet; its plumage is almost white with a pale pink, black tipped beak. It is the lesser flamingo that has the more exotic color. About 2.72 ft. in height, with a rosy plumage and dark red, black tipped beak. Lake Nakuru National Park has a great variety of bird life which includes the Egyptian goose and a variety of ducks that come from Europe to winter. This park is truly a bird watchers paradise. The game animals include hippo, waterbuck, gazelles, colobus monkeys, buffalo, leopard and the Rothschild giraffe. The park is also a sanctuary for the white rhino. This park has an abundance of acacia trees, both yellow barked (fever tree) the umbrella-topped acacia and the candelabra cactus. Enjoy an afternoon game-drive. Meals and overnight at a lodge/camp in Nakuru/Naivasha. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 04, NAKURU/NAIVASHA – MASAI MARA

Breakfast at the hotel and time enough for some bird watching en-route to the Masai Mara Game Reserve arriving in time for lunch. An afternoon game drive during which it would be possible to locate the huge black-manned lions, for which the reserve is famous. Meals and overnight at a lodge/ camp in Mara. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) DAY 05, MASAI MARA A full day of game viewing and exploring in this Kenya’s finest reserve or alternatively a morning game drive followed by an afternoon swim in the cool water of the hotel swimming pool followed by yet another game drive. You may witness the lion making a kill or a leopard enjoying the meal he had dragged up the tree with him. The vegetation is mostly savanna type with forested areas near the rivers and of course the dwarf acacias to cater for the giraffes. More than 60 species of animals are found here and countless bird species, this includes the Masai ostrich and the secretary bird. This is where the great migration of the wildebeest takes place. Meals and overnight at a lodge/camp in Mara. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 06, MASAI MARA – NAIROBI

After breakfast its time to checkout and drive back to Nairobi arriving in time for lunch. Lunch on own. Later transfer to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward flight. (Breakfast)

INCLUDED FEATURES:

• Meet and greet service by our local representatives at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta Airport

• Roundtrip private transfers airport/hotel in Kenya

• Accommodation in standard rooms as described (or similar) with private en-suite facilities

• Meals as described by B (Buffet Breakfast), L (Lunch), D (Dinner)

• ½ -litre bottled mineral water per person per day whilst on safari in a Private vehicle

• Transportation by specially equipped non-air-conditioned 7-seater safari minivan with pop-up roofs in Kenya

• Services of a professional English speaking driver/guide

• Game drives, sightseeing and excursions as described in the itinerary, inclusive of applicable entrance fees

• Applicable local and government taxes on accommodation and transportation

NOT INCLUDED:

• International or domestic airfare, taxes & security related fees unless mentioned above

• Meals not described in the itinerary

• Tips and gratuities to driver/guide; hotel/camp and restaurant staff; room service etc

• Travel Insurance / Visa Charges / Yellow Fever Vaccination

• Items of a personal nature i.e., telephone/internet usage, laundry, bottled water and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, etc.

• 4 X 4 WD Land Rover game drive – It is optional and available at an extra cost

• Single accommodation - Available at an extra cost

• Any optional tours or excursions not mentioned in the itinerary

• Temporary membership to Emergency Medical Evacuation Service whilst on safari (additional USD 15.00 per person)

Advanced image processing workshop

www.drcaesarphotography.com is now a strong team comprising of established wildlife photographers of the country and veterans in the field of digital photography. Having travelled through the same road, we understand the hurdles and challenges faced in taking this hobby to the next orbit. We, as a team, are putting our honest efforts to make photography learning available to the enthusiasts and amateurs at an affordable cost. In addition to the regularly running two workshop courses (Basic course and image post processing), we now announce the launch of an advanced, highly personalized, image processing workshop.

This is the first of its kind promoted by Dr Caesar Photography till date. This is not a basic course and we expect you shall be having the basic knowledge of photography. This workshop is specially crafted keeping in mind the need of a photographer, who is willing to take his / her work to the next level. We hope this workshop will add that special touch which is needed to present one’s photographs for contests, exhibitions, print-media publications or for commercial usage.

This is not a mass education program and hence we would like to restrict registrations to maximum of eight participants per workshop. There will be less of theory and more of practical sessions and therefore, we expect you should carry your laptops along*.

We would ensure that your photographs will find a better platform after attending this.

* In case you don’t possess a laptop, you may have to give us advanced intimation to arrange one for you.

Course fee – Rs 3000 per head
Course details – as follows

1. Brightness

2. Contrast

3. Levels

4. Curves

5. Exposure control

6. Color balance

7. Hue control

8. Saturation control

9. Photo filters

10. Channel mixers

11. Image selection tools

12. Sharpening

13. Blurring

14. Smudging

15. Cloning

16. Blurning

17. Dodging

18. Gradient tool

19. File types

20. Image size

21. Crop tool

22. Magic of Camera raw

23. Use of adjustment brush

24. Creating HDR images

25. Playing with layers

26. Framing and presenting your images

All the best !

Himalayan birding camps

HIMALAYAN BIRDING CAMP, UTTARKHAND

Please note that this is a sample package - we can customize your tour package according to your need.

Pangot is a small village 15 km from Nainital, 50 km from Kathgodam and 80 km from the very well known Corbett National Park. Sat Tal (Hindi - seven lakes) is situated in the lower Himalayan range and the place has a group of seven freshwater lakes situated at an altitude of 1370 metres. Both the places, with its dense pine and oak forest, are undoubtedly the birding heavens of the country and offer a spectacular avifauna along with the breathtaking landscapes of the Himalayas.

October to June is the best season to be here. Experience an unforgettable birding expedition. Itinerary is as follows – it is extremely customizable according to your needs

DAY 01 – DELHI – PANGOT

Drive early morning to Pangot (6-7 hrs.). Arrive for lunch. Overnight stay in a cottage at Jungle Lore Birding Lodge. Afternoon leisurely birding in and around the lodge.

One can see crested woodpeckers such as Greater Yellownape, Scaly-Breasted, Speckled Piculet etc. Large flocks of Slaty-Headed Parakeets, numerous Spotted and Oriental Turtle Doves, Grey Bushchat, Russet Sparrow. Cuckoo: Indian, Oriental, Large-Hawk and Eurasian. Large-billed crow, Grey Treepie, Black-Headed Jay, Maroon Oriole, Large Cuckoo Shrike, Tits such as Rufous-Naped, Black-Throated & Yellow-Browed and smaller numbers of Black-Lored and Green-Backed. White-tailed nuthatches, Chestnut Bellied Nuthatches and Bar-Tailed Treecreepers.

Meals: Lunch & Dinner at Jungle Lore Birding Lodge

DAY 02 - PANGOT

Full day birding at Cheena Peak, Kilbury & Timla Pani. Overnight at Jungle Lore Birding Lodge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at Jungle Lore Birding Lodge

DAY 03 – PANGOT

Another day of birding at Pangot village, Baggar and Gughu Khan. These walks can be very rewarding. Overnight stay at the lodge. One can see Crested Serpent-Eagle, Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Woodpeckers such as Brown-Fronted, Stripe-Breasted, Rufous-Bellied etc. Thrushes such as Dark-Throated, Mistle etc. Striated Prinia can be seen in the terraced fields. Warblers such as Tickell's Leaf-Warbler, Greenish, Golden-Spectacled, Grey-Hooded. Flycatchers such as Asian brown, Rusty-Tailed, Ultramarine, Verditer, Tickell's Blue, Rufous-Bellied Niltava etc., Orange-Flanked Bush Robin, Blue-Capped Redstart. Laughingthrushes such as White-Throated, Striated & Streaked, Chestnut-Crowned etc. Look for Accentor, Upland Pipit, Blue-Winged Minla, Whiskered Yuhina etc.

Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner at Jungle Lore Birding Lodge

DAY 04 - PANGOT-SAT TAL

Drive to Sat Tal (2 hours) in the morning. Birding along the way. Birding around Sat Tal. Overnight stay in Sat Tal Birding Camp

The entire drive is through the forested area of Cheena Peak Range via Snow View Point and Kilbury. One can see a variety of Himalayan species along the way such as Lammergeier, Himalayan griffon, Blue-Winged Minla, Spotted & Slaty-Backed Forktail, Rufous-Bellied Woodpecker, Rufous-Bellied Niltava, Khalij Pheasant, variety of thrushes etc. More than 200 species have been recorded at Pangot and surrounding areas. The numerous perennial & seasonal creeks are home to an amazing variety of flora and fauna including the Leopard, Yellow-throated Himalayan martin, Himalayan Palm Civet, Ghoral, barking deer, Sambhar, Red Fox etc.

Meals: breakfast at Jungle Lore Birding Lodge, lunch & dinner at Sat Tal Birding Camp

DAY 05 – SAT TAL

Full day birding with guide. Overnight stay at Sat Tal Birding camp

Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at Sat Tal Birding camp

DAY 06 – SAT TAL

Full Day excursion to Nainital City.

Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at Sat Tal Birding camp

DAY -07 SAT TAL – DELHI

After Breakfast drive towards Delhi.

There are a number of ways to reach Pangot in case you don’t want us to arrange for Delhi – Pangot travel

• Drive from Delhi via Kathgodam and Nainital: 8 hours
• Drive from Delhi via Ramnagar (Corbett National Park) and Kaladhungi: 7½ hours
• Overnight air-conditioned train from Old Delhi railway station (departing at 2245 hr.) to Kathgodam (arriving at 0615 hr.) and then 2 hr. drive to Pangot via Nainital.
• Overnight air-conditioned train from Old Delhi railway station (departing at 2245 hr.) to Ramnagar (arriving at 0500 hr.) and then 2½ hr. drive to Pangot via Kaladungi.

For booking - contact

Call: 09819839821 Email: info@drcaesarphotography.com / workcaesar@gmail.com

Wildlife Photography workshop - regular sessions

WHY WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP?

Wildlife photography as a career used to sound like a dream a couple of years back. Lucky had been those who could persuade their profession and passion simultaneously. For most, wildlife and wildlife photography remained as a childhood passion and one amongst the many lost dreams condemned by our professional pursuits.

Today more and more people have started thinking differently; many have started taking serious interest in learning photography and adopting wildlife photography as a full time carrier. In this market driven economy, today, we can see endless opportunities for a wildlife photographer from print media to graphic designing, from exhibitions to stock photography, from travels and tours to organized wildlife camps, from organized field trips to sponsored projects – options are too many.

However, building a career in wildlife photography definitely demands the photographs to stand amongst thousands and hand holding and personalized knowledge sharing helps one to improvise and excel – and hence Wildlife photography workshop.

WHY DR CAESAR PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP?

In the country, there are maestros in wildlife photography who have taken Indian wildlife photographers to an international platform. These masters are making their best efforts to disseminate knowledge amongst the new comers. Many wildlife photography workshops are being conducted in the country but this is still focal in some major cities, viz. Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai. Charges for such workshops range from Rs 4000 to Rs 10,000 because it involves hiring experts for lectures, hiring costly gadgets and infrastructure. Budding photographers and amateurs are enthusiastic about the art but the cost of it becomes a major challenge.

This is for the first time someone in the country, has made a bold attempt to dissipate knowledge in a non profitable way which will help the budding photographers immensely. We, as a team, are putting our honest efforts to make wildlife photography learning available to the enthusiasts and amateurs at an extremely affordable cost.

I wish to thank you all for the motivation and appreciation extended since www.drcaesarphotography.com has gone live. It gives me an immense pleasure to announce the launch of two Wildlife Photography courses… enriched, interesting and interactive. These modules have been conceptualized, designed and drafted based on the various feedbacks received from the fan followers. We aspire to be better every day and we hope we shall definitely be able to meet upto your expectations.


COURSES

1. Wildlife photography basics – one day workshop
2. Wildlife photography post processing techniques – one day workshop


WHO CAN ATTEND?

1. Anyone who is enthusiastic to learn wildlife photography can attend the basic course. No qualification criteria / no age limits / no skillsets mandatory.

2. Amateurs and hobbyists who wish to improve their work can attend both basic workshop or the advanced workshop on digital post processing techniques – depending on the need..


WHAT TO CARRY?

1. Better if you have a digital SLR camera. However, having a Digital SLR is not mandatory. You can do wonders with your point and shoot digital camera as well.

2. For Wildlife photography post processing workshop, we advise you should carry a laptop, if you have one. That would make the hand holding easy for us. However, carrying laptop is not mandatory. You can carry your best digital images in a CD or pen drive and rest will be taken care of.


WORKSHOP DURATION: Full day – 9 am – 4 pm with breakfast, lunch and tea breaks


REGISTRATION INQUIRIES: Call 9819839821 / 09920772965


REGISTRATION CHARGES: Rs 1500 per head for each course


PAYMENT MODE

The online payment mode is still under the developmental stages and hence we request you to please send a cheque or opt for an account transfer to account in the name of CAESAR SENGUPTA, Account no. 061010100128452, Axis Bank, Naupada, Thane


COURSE DETAILS

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY BASIC COURSE

Session 1: 9 am – 1 pm - Photography Basics

1. Know your camera
2. Exposure control
3. Shutter Speed
4. Aperture
5. ISO
6. Exposure & Exposure settings - Histogram
7. Depth of field
8. Focal length
9. Tones and contrast
10. White Balance
11. What is Pixel
12. Metering
13. Auto focus
14. Field tips
15. Different types of camera
16. The Digital SLR
17. Different types of lenses
18. Storage Media (Cards), File Types
19. Accessories
20. Camera Care

Session 2: 2 pm – 4 pm – Post processing basics

1. Colour
2. Contrast
3. Saturation
4. Sharpening
5. Blurring
6. Cloning
7. Noise Reduction
8. Layers
9. Framing
10. Presenting your images

This is followed by a one hour interactive Session (Q & A)


WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY POST PROCESSING WORKSHOP

Session 1: 9 am – 1 pm - Post processing live Demo

1. Brightness and contrast
2. Levels and curves
3. Exposure control
4. Color balance
5. Hue and saturation control
6. Photo filters and channel mixers
7. Sharpening, blurring and smudging
8. Cloning, burning and dodging
9. Usage of gradient tool
10. File types, image size, crop tool
11. Playing with layers
12. Framing and presenting your images

Session 2: 1 pm – 4 pm - Post processing – Practical – this session will focus on hands on experience on editing your own photographs in your laptops using the image editing software you prefer to use.

This is followed by a one hour interactive Session (Q & A)