Little Rann of Kutch

Bird & Wildlife PhotographyWorkshop

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Venue:

Little Rann of Kutch, Gujarat

Your Stay:

Rann Riders, Dasada

Dates:

20-23 January, 2014 (3 Nights / 4 Days)

Cost:

Regular: Rs 23,500/-

Early Bird Offer: Rs 22,000/-  (Till Nov 15th)

REGISTER

Workshop Details

About Little Rann of Kutch

It is famous as the world's last refuge of the Indian Wild Ass (Khur) for the conservation of which it has been declared as the Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary. Though a bleak landscape it is rich in biodiversity and is an ecologically important area for wildlife and many local and migratory waterbirds like cranes, ducks, pelicans, flamingos and land birds like sandgrouse, francolins and the Indian bustards.

It is also home to various unique mammals apart from wild ass such as the Indian wolf (Canis lupus pallipes), desert fox (Vulpes vulpes pusilla) and nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus).

Wildlife Photography related learning during the workshops:

Today's Wildlife Photography is all about action, creativity and uniqueness. The aim of this tour is to ensure on-the-field knowledge sharing & instruction with respect to bird and wildlife photography, enabling participants to master creative photography skills and handle dynamic subjects such as birds with greater confidence.

During the workshop your mentor Sudhir Shivaram will help you master the core principles and concepts of Wildlife/Bird Photography. The sessions will help you to progress from taking images to making images. You will understand the concepts of storytelling images and what it takes to get your images published.

The below topics will be covered and the participants will learn how to apply these concepts in Widlife photography.

1. •Manual and autofocus (focusing points, autofocus lock, single or continuous focus)
   

2. •Manual exposure (ISO, shutter speeds, f/ stops and the light meter)
   

3. •Metering modes (evaluative, matrix, spot metering) 
   

4. •Depth of field (shallow, deep, hyper focal distance)
   

5. •Motion (freezing, blurring and panning)
   

6. •Picture styles / picture control (colour, black and white, sepia etc…)
   

7. •Aperture priority, shutter speed priority and program modes 
   

8. •Understanding exposure - the 18% concept
   

9. •White balance (pre-set and custom)
   

10. •The temperature of light (natural and artificial colour cast)
    

11. •Composition (framing)
    

12. •Elements of design (seeing v/s looking)
    

13. •Lenses and perspective (the right choice of focal length)
    

14. •Pre-visualization
    

15. •Completing the story
    

Post-Processing: 

During the course of the workshop, you will be taken through the fundamentals of image processing and the following topics will be covered:

1. •Colour management policies (colour settings, working space, ICC profiles etc.)
   

2. •Working with RAW files
   

3. •Cropping and image editing
   

4. •Levels, curves, contrast, saturation adjustments
   

5. •Image sharpening, cloning, dodge and burn
   

6. •Noise reduction
   

7. •Advance concepts of targeted adjustments using masking technique
   

8. •Saving for web/ printing
   

During the Field Outing: 

During the field outing, your mentor Sudhir Shivaram will help you make memorable images. Inputs provided on the field will enable you make the most of the opportunity.

Your Photography Subjects at LRK 

Though primarily known as home to the Asiatic Wild Ass (Ghudkhur, Equus Hemionus Khur), during winter, LRK is abound with birds like Hoopoe, Desertlark, Courser, Wheatear, Sandgrouse and other migratory birds like Cranes, Flamingos, Pelicans, Spoon bill, Ducks, Harrier, Vultures, Eagles, Hubara Bustards, Cream courser etc. - just a few of the over 300 species.

These unending sandy stretches also make for amazing views and surreal mirages, and host a plethora of salt resistant varieties of flora and fauna like the spiny tailed lizard and many other the reptile species unique to the region. 

Itinerary

Day 1: Monday 20 Jan, 2014: 

1. •Participants arrive and check-in to Rann Riders, Dasada by noon. 
   

2. •A brief introductory session along with tips for the afternoon safari by your mentor, Sudhir Shivaram .
   

3. •Afternoon safari into the Rann of Kutch targeting the Wild Ass and some key bird species.
   

4. •Post-safari hangout at the resort where Sudhir leads an interactive session on the tips and tricks of Wildlife/Bird photography to reinforce core concepts.
   

Days 2 & 3: Tuesday / Wednesday 21-22 Jan, 2014: 

1. •Morning and afternoon safaris in Little Rann of Kutch.
   

2. •Morning safari followed by a hearty breakfast at the Rann Riders resort.
   

3. •Relax and meet to review images and interact.
   

4. •Sumptuous lunch and possibly a quick power nap in preparation for afternoon/evening safari.
   

5. •Following evening safari, back to the resort. Continued learning sessions over piping hot tea.
   

Day 4 :Thursday 23 Jan, 2014: 

1. •A morning ride into the sanctuary and checkout after breakfast.