Under the GreenKarbon programme, various events are held at St. Xavier's College to teach students about the need to protect the environment. The photography workshop was designed for budding nature and wildlife photographers to make them understand the ethics of nature photography. Dr. Parvish Pandya, Head Naturalist at Sanctuary Asia, conducted the workshop and told the students about the different types of cameras, how to get the best photos and the ethics of nature photography.
He began by telling the students all about the GreenKarbon programme and how they can be a part of it. He then explained the technical aspects of using a camera, the different types of cameras, how to optimise camera settings for different types of images. It was a great way for budding photographers to learn how to handle their cameras and click good photographs. Dr. Pandya also encouraged them to try different modes and experiment with lighting and angles.
The next part of the workshop was on the ethics of nature and wildlife photography. Dr. Pandya gave examples of wildlife photographers using unethical means to get perfect shots. He spoke against using live animals as bait, interfering with the natural behaviour of animals and clicking images of nesting birds. He told the students that a good nature photographer must blend into the surroundings and should not disturb the natural behaviour of wild animals. He made the students understand that photography is a great tool for conservation, but the fine line between getting the perfect image and following the ethics of nature photography must not be crossed, as it will do more harm than good.
After the talk, Dr. Pandya asked the students to step out and click photos of a monument, a butterfly, a portrait, a flower and a plant. Excited to use their new-found skills, the students went out into the surrounding garden to complete the assignment. When they returned after 15 minutes, their images were screened on a projector and Dr. Pandya critiqued them. He gave the students tips on how to improve their technique.
Towards the end of the workshop, Dr. Pandya encouraged the students to continue pursuing photography as a hobby. He urged them to practice, experiment and push the boundaries of photography. The overwhelming response to the workshop made one feel that the students had truly understood the rationale of the GreenKarbon initiative.
