Past Event Perspectives of the Wild — A Photography Workshop with Gurcharan Roopra
Gurcharan Roopra
This event is now available as a recording
Photography is more than capturing what we see — it’s about how we choose to see it. This workshop explores that idea through three powerful and contrasting perspectives: from the ground, from within, and from the air.
We cannot thank "Guch" enough for giving his time freely for a very special workshop event , stepping out from the normal shooting positions and techniques to create the exceptional.
The Event is split into distinct parts.
Act I: Eye to the Earth — The Art of Low-Angle Shots
We begin on the ground, quite literally. Shooting from low angles allows for more intimate, impactful wildlife imagery. I’ll demonstrate techniques to shoot at eye-level using a variety of tools including:
Remote triggers & WiFi-enabled devices
Devices to keep your camera safe
Techniques to define placement for the camera
We’ll also cover gear prep, field positioning, safety, and the creative benefits of ground-level storytelling.
Act II: Stillness in the Shadows — Hide Photography at Night
The night holds a different kind of beauty — one that’s quieter, more elusive. This session dives into hide photography and night shooting, with a focus on:
Choosing and setting up hides
Understanding nocturnal wildlife behaviour
Using artificial light with care (spotlights, backlights)
Camera settings for long exposures, silent shutters, and focus control in near darkness
We’ll also touch on ethics — particularly the importance of minimal disturbance during nighttime observation.
Act III: Above the Roar — Aerial Photography from Helicopters
Finally, we take to the skies. Shooting from a helicopter requires a different mindset — fast thinking, rapid adjustments, and a feel for composition on the move. This session covers:
Aerial gear prep (safety straps, battery considerations, lens selection)
Settings for vibration-heavy environments
Framing from above — composition, light, and story
Working with pilots and timing your shots during flight
It’s a thrilling way to see the landscape from a new vantage point — ideal for habitat storytelling, wildlife-in-context shots, and abstract compositions.
Closing Thoughts
This workshop is designed to be immersive, technical, and deeply creative. Whether crawling through dust, hiding in silence, or soaring above the savannah, I want participants to walk away not only with new skills — but with a new way of seeing.
Guch as ever will be pleased to field as many questions from the audience as possible on the night.