Capturing the Pulse of North India: A Journey Through Sports, Action, and Wildlife Photography

As an accredited sports and action photographer based in Delhi, North India has served as my most profound classroom. From the high-intensity arenas of Delhi NCR to the rugged terrains of the Himalayas and the salt pans of Rajasthan, my lens has documented a vast spectrum of human achievement and natural wonder. This blog explores my experiences, technical evolution, and the unique challenges of capturing the diverse landscapes of North India.

The High-Octane World of Sports in Delhi NCR

Delhi NCR is the heartbeat of my professional journey. The region offers an unparalleled variety of venues and sporting cultures, from international stadiums to grassroots "dangals".

• Mind Over Matter at SRCC: In May 2026, I documented a chess tournament at SRCC. Unlike fast-paced field sports, chess photography is an exercise in silence and observation. Capturing the "emotional details" and critical moments around the board requires remaining completely unobtrusive while tracking the intense concentration of the players.

• The Roar of the Crowd: My experience extends to the historic Jamia Millia Islamia Cricket Ground and football tournaments like the Kerala Unity Cup in Noida. Football, in particular, has honed my ability to track unpredictable action and manage difficult artificial lighting during evening matches.

• Traditional and Niche Sports: I have had the privilege of documenting the raw, physically intense atmosphere of wrestling at the historic Guru Hanuman Akhada and local wrestling pits in Narela. Additionally, tracking fast horse movements at the Jaipur Polo Grounds and maintaining discipline at the DLTA tennis courts has broadened my visual storytelling repertoire.

Technical Mastery: From the Nikon D3500 to the D850

True expertise is born from a deep understanding of one's tools. I began my journey with the Nikon D3500 before upgrading to the professional-grade Nikon D850. This evolution allowed me to master critical technical skills:

• ISO and Aperture Management: Essential for subject isolation and working in the low-light conditions common in indoor basketball tournaments like the Harish Sharma tournament.

• Dynamic Range: Crucial for capturing the harsh sunlight of the Rajasthan desert or the reflective salt flats of Sambhar Lake.

• Creative Techniques: I have increasingly utilized panning and slow shutter techniques to create a stronger visual narrative of motion rather than just static action frames.

Wildlife Photography: The Ultimate Training Ground

Interestingly, my time spent in the wetlands and forests has directly improved my sports photography. Wildlife requires extreme patience, quick focusing, and behavioral anticipation—skills that translate perfectly to the sidelines of a pitch.

Rajasthan: Tigers, Leopards, and Flamingos

Rajasthan is a vast canvas for action. My work here has focused on:

• Big Cat Tracking: Sighting tigers in Ranthambore and Sariska taught me long-range tracking and the importance of "patience-based composition".

• The Flamingo Courtship Dance: At Sambhar Lake, guided by local expert Abhi Vaishnav, I spent two years documenting the synchronized head-bobbing and wave-like motions of thousands of lesser flamingos.

• Urban Wildlife: The Jhalana Leopard Reserve in Jaipur highlighted how majestic predators like "Flora" and "Rana" thrive in urban-adjacent ecosystems.

The Himalayan Reach: Himachal and Uttarakhand

The mountains present a different set of challenges—both physical and technical.

• Birding in Bir: During a family trip to Himachal Pradesh, I discovered the rich birdlife of the Himalayas, capturing the striking Red-billed Blue Magpie at a local monastery and the graceful Indian Paradise Flycatcher.

• The Nag Tibba Challenge: This trek in Uttarakhand tested my endurance. While the physical strain was high, reaching the summit provided breathtaking views and rare sightings of the elusive Himalayan Langur.

• Rajaji National Park: My time here involved observing the rare nesting behavior of the Great Hornbill, where the female remains sealed within a cavity.

My Commitment to Storytelling and Conservation

As a photographer, my goal is more than just a "perfect shot". I am committed to documenting raw emotions, player interactions, and the crowd atmosphere. Furthermore, I aim to highlight ecological concerns, such as the habitat encroachment and avian botulism affecting the flamingos of Sambhar Lake.

North India is a region where nature, sport, and culture intersect beautifully. Whether I am tracking a striker in Noida or a leopard in Jaipur, my focus remains on visual storytelling that respects the subject and the environment.