My name is Junaid Ali, and I am a BCA student at Symbiosis, Pune. I did not
start wildlife photography with a plan or a goal in mind. It began with curiosity
and a lot of waiting. Sitting quietly during safaris, watching forests that
sometimes gave nothing in return, slowly changed the way I looked at nature. I realised that the wild cannot be rushed or controlled. Photography became
my way of observing these moments without disturbing them. This article is
not about perfect photographs, but about the experiences, patience, and
emotions that exist around every frame.
Where It All Began
This picture is from the first time I ever saw a tiger in the wild. I was very young then. I didn’t really understand how rare that moment was. I remember sitting in the safari jeep and just staring, not speaking at all. I was a little scared, but mostly curious. There was no camera with me, just the feeling of seeing something unreal in front of my eyes. That moment stayed in my mind for years. I didn’t know it then, but this was the beginning of my connection with Wildlife.
Finding the Wild at Home
After that first tiger sighting, my curiosity didn’t stop. I started noticing
animals around me more than before. Cats near my house, birds sitting
quietly on railings, monkeys resting on walls, butterflies on small flowers
things I had always seen but never really looked at. I began clicking pictures
with whatever camera I had, without thinking too much. Some photos were
bad, some were okay, but I didn’t mind. I just liked freezing those small
moments. It slowly became a habit. Every animal felt different, every
expression felt honest. Somewhere in between these simple pictures, my
interest in wildlife photography started growing, without me even realising it.
College Changed Everything
College was the point where things slowly became serious. I started showing
my photos to a few friends and classmates, mostly just for fun. I didn’t expect
much, but their reactions surprised me. They looked at the pictures carefully
and kept asking questions. Some of them told me that I should post my work
properly instead of keeping it to myself. That’s when the idea of creating a
page came up. I remember going back and thinking about it for a while. That
same day, I created my Instagram page, ali_graphy.jpg. At first, it was just a
place to upload pictures. But over time, it started feeling like responsibility. I
wasn’t just clicking anymore, I was learning, improving, and taking wildlife
photography seriously.
Arrowhead
Arrowhead was not just another tiger for me. I had watched her
since I was a kid, growing up with her stories, her sightings, and her
presence in the forest. So when I heard that she was no more, it
didn’t feel distant or normal. It felt personal. I remember sitting
quietly, trying to process the news. Later, I got the chance to visit
her funeral. Seeing her one last time was heavy. When I finally
shared her last moments on Instagram, the response was
overwhelming. People from the wildlife field noticed my work,
reached out, and shared their own feelings about her. That moment
changed something in me. Wildlife photography was no longer just
interest or passion - it became responsibility.
An Unexpected Turning Point
After that, something unexpected happened. One of my videos started
spreading far beyond what I had imagined. Notifications kept coming, and the
numbers kept rising. The video crossed 12 million views, and my page gained
more than 6,000 followers in a short time. At first, it felt unreal. I kept
refreshing the screen just to check if it was actually happening. But what
mattered more than the numbers were the messages. People appreciated the
story, the moment, and the emotion behind it. That milestone gave me
confidence, but also reminded me that wildlife stories reach far more people
than we realise. It pushed me to be more careful, more honest, and more
responsible with what I share.
Looking Back, Moving Forward
When I look back at this journey, it doesn’t feel planned at all. Things just
happened one after another. I clicked because I liked it. I waited because I
had to. Sometimes I came back with nothing, sometimes with moments I still
can’t believe I witnessed. Wildlife photography didn’t just teach me patience,
it tested it. It gave me excitement, disappointment, and memories I’ll never
forget. The photographs at the end are some of my wildest moments so far.
They may look like just pictures, but for me, each one carries a story that
started long before the shutter was pressed. And honestly, this still feels like
only the beginning.
Junaid Ali
BCA( 2024-28)