Accredited Sports and Action Photographer from Delhi, India

Wildlife Photography at Delhi Zoo – Where My Wildlife Journey Began

Delhi Zoo holds a very special place in my photography journey because this was the first location where I seriously experimented with wildlife photography using my Nikon D3500. In many ways, this visit changed the direction of my photography career and introduced me to a completely new world of storytelling through wildlife and nature.

What started as a simple visit to test a new camera eventually became the foundation for my passion for wildlife photography across India.

My First Wildlife Photography Experience

I visited the Delhi Zoo just about a week after purchasing my Nikon D3500. Interestingly, the camera was originally bought as a gift for my wife, but I was curious to see whether it could also be used effectively for wildlife photography.

At that point, I was still completely new to wildlife photography.

I was shooting with:

A Nikon D3500
A basic 70–300mm kit lens
Fully automatic camera settings
Autofocus mode enabled throughout

I had very limited understanding of:

Manual exposure settings
Shutter speed control
Aperture priority techniques
Wildlife tracking methods

But despite all of that, the Delhi Zoo gave me the perfect environment to experiment and learn.

Lion yawning inside enclosure at Delhi Zoo, India — wildlife photography by Jithin Thomas, Indian photographer specializing in action and athletics, captured with Nikon DSLR showcasing raw power, natural behavior, and authentic zoo wildlife imagery.

A Lion Yawning captured at the Delhi Zoo

White tiger resting at Delhi Zoo, India — wildlife photography by Jithin Thomas, Indian photographer specializing in action and athletics, captured with Nikon DSLR showcasing rare genetic condition, striking beauty, and authentic zoo wildlife imagery

A White Tiger - A Result of a Rare Genetic Condition

Discovering Wildlife Photography Through the Delhi Zoo

Since the lighting conditions inside the zoo were relatively manageable during daytime, I was still able to capture surprisingly good photographs of:

Tigers
Lions
Deer species
Birds and smaller animals within the zoo

When I reviewed the images later, I realized that wildlife photography was something I genuinely enjoyed and wanted to pursue further.

That moment became a turning point for me.

Until then, wildlife photography was only an idea in my mind. But seeing the kind of images I could create—even with beginner-level equipment and fully automatic settings—gave me confidence to explore the genre more seriously.

How Delhi Zoo Sparked a Bigger Wildlife Journey

My experience at Delhi Zoo eventually pushed me toward exploring wildlife photography beyond controlled environments.

After this visit, I gradually started:

Exploring wildlife parks and birding locations
Learning manual camera settings
Understanding animal behavior and anticipation
Experimenting with telephoto photography

Eventually, this passion led me to:

Ranthambore National Park
Multiple wildlife reserves in Rajasthan
Major tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh
Birding locations across Delhi NCR and beyond

Wildlife photography slowly evolved from curiosity into one of the strongest creative influences in my photography journey.

Learning Wildlife Photography in Real Conditions

One of the reasons I believe Delhi Zoo is valuable for beginners is because it introduces photographers to real-world shooting situations without the unpredictability of a jungle safari.

For new photographers, locations like Delhi Zoo help develop:

Camera handling confidence
Understanding of lighting conditions
Focus tracking practice
Patience and observation skills
Long-lens shooting techniques

It also allows photographers to experiment with:

Animal compositions
Depth of field
Background separation
Timing and anticipation

Even basic lenses can produce strong results when photographers learn how to use natural light and positioning effectively.

Wildlife Photography Beyond Technical Skills

Over time, wildlife photography taught me much more than camera settings.

It improved:

Patience and observation
Understanding of natural behavior
Framing and storytelling
Respect for wildlife and ecosystems
The ability to react quickly under changing conditions

These skills eventually helped improve my sports photography as well, especially when it came to anticipation and tracking moving subjects.

Lion emerging from den at Delhi Zoo, India — wildlife photography by Jithin Thomas, Indian photographer specializing in action and athletics, captured with Nikon DSLR showcasing raw strength, natural behavior, and authentic zoo wildlife imagery.

The Lion Captured Right after It exits its Den in the Zoo

Lion emerging from den and searching for comfortable resting spot at Delhi Zoo, India — wildlife photography by Jithin Thomas, Indian photographer specializing in action and athletics, captured with Nikon DSLR showcasing raw strength, natural behavior, and authentic zoo wildlife imagery.

As Soon as the Lion comes Out it looks for a Comfortable place to Relax in

Crocodile Resting in the Sun

Lone Indian wolf standing alert in natural habitat at Delhi Zoo, India — wildlife photography by Jithin Thomas, Indian photographer specializing in action and athletics, captured with Nikon DSLR showcasing solitude, resilience, and authentic wolf imagery

A Lone Indian Wolf

Family, Travel & Shared Passion

Wildlife photography eventually became something I shared with my family as well.

From Delhi Zoo to national parks across Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, I began taking regular trips with family members who also developed an appreciation for wildlife and photography.

These journeys became more than photography assignments—they became experiences centered around:

Nature
Travel
Conservation awareness
Shared creative passion

Why Beginners Should Start with Local Wildlife Spaces

One important lesson I learned is that aspiring wildlife photographers do not necessarily need to begin with expensive safaris or exotic locations.

Starting at places like:

Delhi Zoo
Local parks
Biodiversity parks
Wetlands and bird sanctuaries

can already teach photographers a lot about:

Real-world lighting
Subject movement
Camera limitations
Composition techniques

It also helps photographers understand what kind of wildlife photography truly interests them before investing heavily into equipment or travel.

Final Thoughts

Delhi Zoo may not be a traditional wildlife destination in the same way as Ranthambore or Kanha, but for me, it represents the beginning of everything.

It was the place where I first realized the creative possibilities of wildlife photography and understood how powerful photography could be in connecting people with animals and nature.

From experimenting with a Nikon D3500 in auto mode to eventually exploring India’s major wildlife parks, the journey started right here in Delhi.

Even today, Delhi Zoo reminds me that every photographer starts somewhere—and sometimes a simple local visit can completely transform your creative direction.