First Trip – Delhi Zoo

My first proper photography outing was to the Delhi Zoo.

I have always loved animals, so wildlife photography naturally attracted me. I relied completely on autofocus. No manual mode. No advanced tricks.

But when I came home and saw the pictures on my laptop, I was genuinely impressed.

The sharpness.
The details.
The ability to freeze a moment.

That’s when I felt — maybe I should take this seriously.

Next Step – Ranthambore Changed Everything

Soon after Delhi Zoo, I planned a trip to Ranthambore National Park.

And I was lucky.

Bumper tiger sightings. That trip boosted my confidence and it showed me how much I didn’t know.

Different lighting conditions, fast movements, shadows inside bushes — I realized that pressing the shutter is easy. Understanding light is not.

So How Should You Start?

Let me simplify it for you.

1. Just Buy a Camera and Start

Don’t overthink it.

Yes, research is important.
Yes, understand your budget.
Yes, understand what genre you want to explore.

But at some point — you have to start.

Today, mirrorless cameras are more advanced and are clearly the future. But that doesn’t mean you must start with the most expensive gear.

Start small.

An entry-level or mid-level crop body camera is more than enough to begin. Learn it fully. Use it to its maximum potential.

2. Understand Why You’re Buying Gear

When you upgrade, your reason must be specific.

Not:

• “Sony colors are amazing.”

• “Everyone is buying Canon.”

• “Mirrorless is trending.”
  
  

Instead:

• Do I need better low light performance?

• Do I need faster autofocus for sports?

• Do I need a higher frame rate for action?
  
  

Your reasoning should match your use case and these quetions can coorectly be answered anl when you know your camera inside out

Also remember — your gear defines your ecosystem. Stick to one brand. Whether it’s Nikon, Canon, Sony, Fujifilm — stay consistent so that lenses and bodies remain compatible.

3. Master Settings Before Upgrading

When I started, I relied heavily on autofocus and auto settings. And that’s okay.

Spend time on auto mode. Understand:

• How the camera focuses

• How it exposes

Then slowly move to:

• Aperture Priority

• Shutter Priority
  
  

For the first 2–3 years, I used Aperture Priority extensively. It’s one of the most versatile modes, especially for wildlife and sports.

Manual mode should not be your starting point.

Even when I moved to manual mode on my Nikon D850, I used Manual + Auto ISO. That setup helped a lot in wildlife situations.

Imagine you're in a jungle. Bright open area on one side. Dark bushes on the other. An animal suddenly walks out.

If you're fully manual without flexibility, you might miss the shot.

Manual + Auto ISO adjusts ISO automatically while you control shutter and aperture. It’s extremely useful in varying light.

4. Learn the Exposure Triangle

This is non-negotiable.

Shutter Speed
Aperture
ISO

Understand how these three work together.

Wildlife taught me composition.
Sports taught me shutter speed.
Cultural events like Theyyam taught me how important wide aperture lenses are in low light.
Conference photography taught me flash usage and professional etiquette.

Different genres sharpen different skills.

5. Learn From Others

There are many free and paid courses online.

I personally purchased a course by Sudhir Shivaram to understand wildlife photography better. It helped me understand animal behavior, positioning, and technical basics.

Having mentors accelerates growth.

For wildlife, my friend Ramgeet helped me tweak settings and think differently.
For sports, especially cricket, I learned a lot by observing the work of Saikat Das.

You don’t grow alone in photography. Networking matters.

For a deeper look at how an enthusiast photographer turned a passion into a full-time career, check out this story from a fellow photographer on From Amateur to Pro Sports Photographer — it provides practical insights into developing your niche, building experience, and growing your skillset as you evolve from hobbyist to professional. 

You can also read Joseph B’s personal reflection on his photography journey, where he shares the early challenges, experimentation, and mindset shifts that helped shape his path from passion to purpose.

6. Shoot Everything

Trial and error is your biggest teacher.

Start at home.

• Photograph family.

• Shoot pigeons on your balcony.

• Practice on sparrows and crows.

Move to local parks, Attend local sports events,  Join weekend birding groups, Network with photographers.

If you love sports photography like I do today, start with small local matches. Learn how players move. Understand peak action. Anticipation is everything.

7. Explore Different Lighting & Action

Push yourself into different situations:

• Slow action vs fast action

• Bird in flight

• Animal running

• Silhouette photography

• Backlit subjects

• Early morning golden light

• Harsh afternoon light

You will fail many times. But every failure builds instinct.

Final Advice – Start Simple, Grow Steady

Photography is not about buying the best camera.

It’s about:

• Understanding light

• Understanding timing

• Understanding your subject

I started by mistake.

I bought a camera as a gift.
It became my obsession.
It became my profession.

If you are thinking of starting — don’t wait for the perfect time.

Buy a camera within your budget.
Pick it up every chance you get.
Learn your settings deeply.
Upgrade only when you outgrow your gear.

That’s how you build real skill.

And that’s how a simple gift in 2022 turned into a full-fledged photography journey for me — from wildlife in Ranthambore to professional sports coverage today.