OmanPride: Althaf Abdul, passion for wildlife photography

More sports Wednesday 15/March/2017 19:01 PM
By: Times News Service
OmanPride: Althaf Abdul, passion for wildlife photography

There is something quite fascinating about wildlife and bird photography, and Althaf Abdul tells us why. Abdul is a 34-year-old logistics manager, who’s been working in maritime logistics. The artist has always been a fan of wildlife in general, but there is something about birds that inspires him and lets his creative juices flow into the photograph. His photos are filled with life as much as vibrancy. The shutterbug is devoted to photographing beautiful moments that the wild offers in and around the Sultanate.

It all started with a group of friends at a photography club. Abdul was invited to a photography workshop for capturing birds in Al Ansab; and was left intrigued by the effortless beauty that these winged creatures have, he just sat there and experienced this inspiring moment that pushed him to start his bird photography journey.
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He was already a professional photographer in the field of landscapes, but he needed to up his level in the wildlife department. In 2016, he took part in his first animal filled photo shoot in India during a visit to the Jim Corbett National Park. He mingled with birds, tigers, and elephants, and took numerous photos to test the waters in this field. It was love at first sight, and the birth of a new interest.

During his free time, Abdul explores the web to observe the work done by eminent photographers from around the globe. “This inspires me to capture the moments that won’t ever happen again,” said Abdul. After inspiration strikes, he hits the road to different parts of Oman to get his good shots, with his favourite being the land of the greens, Salalah.

“I love to explore more of Salalah as I’ve been there thrice, but I always enjoyed the beauty it offers.” His other places to go in Muscat is the Qurum National Park. What makes this type of photography unique and interesting for Abdul is the challenges that come along with it.

“The action moment, which we cover in wildlife and birding is very hard to recapture,” explained the photographer, adding that “Each photographer gets different and lovely frames of the same animal or bird, and that’s fascinating.” Abdul also enjoys his passion as it helped him alter his lifestyle into a better one, as he walks about four to six kilometres every weekend in search for birding hotspots. He has also spent a good amount of time learning more about these beauteous creatures, as well as learning about the fundamentals of Mother Nature.

“To become a good wildlife and bird photographer I learned to be more patient, and having the right equipment, and being in the right place at the right time makes a difference.” Abdul continues his journey of wildlife exploration, in the hope that he will capture tigers and wild cats in action.
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