An engineer with a post-graduate diploma in marketing and sales management Vijay Cavale spent over two decades seeking his fortune in corporate India. A nature lover from birth, he decided to follow his passion at the age of 40 and has since been traveling all over India enjoying its wildlife. He believes that one will not tend to harm that which brings one happiness. He, thus, focuses on spreading the joy that nature has on offer rather than activism based conservation.

People like to talk about their 'lucky breaks' but I think it's more hard work and passion that leads to a breakthrough to becoming a professional photographer. When was your breakthrough?
You are right. Hard work has no parallel, nothing can be achieved without passion, but lucky breaks help. Coming from a middle class family, my primary focus in my younger days was good education and a decent career. Thus, I graduated as an engineer in 1984 and decided to seek my fortune in corporate India. In 1987, I joined a fledging IT company; I guess that was my ‘lucky break’.  The IT industry in India grew so fast in the 90’s it was real hard.

What motivated you to become a professional nature and wildlife photographer?
 I have been a passionate nature lover all along. As a child I would spend hours in our garden keenly observing everything from birds to butterflies. As I grew in age I continued to grab every opportunity to be outdoors and observe nature. This gave me great joy. When I shared my experiences with others I could sense their excitement. This sharing motivated me to begin to capture my experiences in the wild on camera. I do not look at myself as a professional wildlife photographer. I do this in order to share my joy with others. All my work in this area is non-commercial.

“I do not look at myself as a professional wildlife photographer. I do this in order to share my joy with others.”

Did you have a goal in mind when you first got started?
Yes. At the age of 40, in 2001, as I decided to drop out of Corporate India, I took up the camera and decided to photograph all the birds found in India. I decided to use this content to create awareness among the masses about the joy that nature always has on offer.  If something brings you great joy, you would not think of harming it, would you? This led to me creating www.indiabirds.com

What is your favourite wildlife subject? What would you consider your specialty?
Birds. Very high quality images of birds found in India is my specialty.

“Harnessing latest technology will certainly give you an edge. This is particularly true when you look at the “post-processing” scenario today.”

Your work has led you to travel to many places. Which has been the toughest till date?
Chasing tiny, restless birds in the Himalayas in winter is as tough as it gets. Very exciting though! My trip to Arunachal Pradesh in April 2009 was one of the tougher trips I made to photograph birds.  Please read -http://vijaycavale.blogspot.com/2009/06/arunachal-pradesh-for-birds.html  I do share all my travel experience in my blog.

Though photo equipment is important, some photographers think that buying the latest body or lens will improve their photographs. Where do you think a person wanting to improve their wildlife photography should focus their time, effort and money?
I agree. Equipment is an important factor in capturing quality images.  In 2001 I did a bit of research and found that without a 600mm lens, decent bird photography would be too much of a challenge. Almost all pros were using a telephoto lens. I guess I was one of the first Indians to begin chasing birds with a 600mm (Big gun!) This definitely raised the bar in India. Today there are hundreds of big guns in India!

Harnessing latest technology will certainly give you an edge.  This is particularly true when you look at the “post-processing” scenario today. However, there is nothing like being out there in the field!

The professional photography market seems to be moving away from image and book sales to photographic workshops and eBooks. Have you found this to be so with your business?
Though I have no business experience in this area, I tend to disagree with the above comment. I have seen hundreds of wildlife and nature related books released in the last three or four years in India.

“As long as there is joy in what you are doing and a purpose attached, you are sure to prosper. If you are just trying to seek your fortune it is a tough road ahead…”

What kind of camera equipment do you use?
I use all the latest Nikon equipment. Dslr’s and telephoto lenses.

Do you have any suggestions for the young budding photographers of today?
As long as there is joy in what you are doing and a purpose attached, you are sure to prosper. If you are just trying to seek your fortune it is a tough road ahead…

Any parting comments Vijay?

Yes. Five years ago, hardly 20% of birds found in India had been photographed by mankind. Today, as a group of nature lovers we have been able to capture and share images of over 90% of the birds found in India with some new discoveries too! The power of sharing is best demonstrated here. Please look at www.indianaturewatch.net as a good example for what sharing can do!

	Quick8: Your Favourite Camera: Nikon Dslr’s (Currently I have a D700 and a D7000) Your Favourite Printer: Epson 4900 (I own one) Your Favourite Shoot: The Desert Cat Kutch, Gujarat Your Preferred Location:  India Favourite Photographer: Dhritiman Mukherjee (http://www.indianaturewatch.net/view_cat.php?tag=Dhritiman%20Mukherjee ) Most memorable story:  Many I hear from the locals as I travel Current photographers you like: Clement Francis M., Ramki Sreenivasan Toughest day at work: A bit ahead I guess

More Photos by Vijay Cavale / Fotosocial