Name: Pruthvi B
Picture title: The landlord
Category: Human and Nature
Nationality: India
Occupation: Naturalist
Technical information
Camera: Nikon d3100
Lens: 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 lens
EXIF: 1/250 sec at f7.1 (-1 e/v) ISO 400
Accessories: Custom built PIR sensor, custom built camera & flash housing , 3x Nikon flashes, wireless triggers.
RUNNER-UP CATEGORY HUMAN AND NATURE
Pruthvi B | The landlord
Name: Pruthvi B
Picture title: The landlord
Category: Human and Nature
Nationality: India
Occupation: Naturalist
Technical information
Camera: Nikon d3100
Lens: 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 lens
EXIF: 1/250 sec at f7.1 (-1 e/v) ISO 400
Accessories: Custom built PIR sensor, custom built camera & flash housing , 3x Nikon flashes, wireless triggers.
Pruthvi B says:
Leopards (Panthera pardus fusca) are some of the most elusive and adaptable big cats in India. Habitat loss due to rapid urbanization has pushed these big cats close to human habitation. Most of the time, farmlands and human settlements are used by these cats to hunt small mammals, poultry, other farm animals, and stray or free-roaming dogs. These majestic cats are listed as vulnerable on the ICUN Red list.
“No Land for Leopard” has been an ongoing project for 5 years as part of capturing urban wildlife through camera trapping in and around Mysore in south India. This image is part of the series. This camera trap image was the result of months of tracking and planning. Monitoring its movement, its frequency, and the regular path that it used was determined. Finally, a DSLR camera trap was placed. The biggest challenge was the weather; it was the start of monsoon season. The main idea for this frame was to show how close these cats move around human habitation without being noticed. It also shows the elusive nature of the leopard, redefines human-wildlife boundaries, and reiterates that ‘we humans live in a shared space’.
Pruthvi B
India
I’m a passionate photographer with a journey that began back in 2008. As a young enthusiast, my mother encouraged me to watch wildlife documentaries and National Geographic publications, which played a pivotal role in steering me toward the world of photography. It was a curiosity for wildlife that ignited my passion for capturing the beauty and complexity of the natural world.
Over the years, I’ve evolved as a photographer, transitioning from traditional wildlife photography to a more specialized niche: documenting the delicate balance of coexistence between wildlife and humans. This shift in focus led me down a fascinating path into the realm of camera trap photography. For the past seven years, I’ve been honing my skills in trap photography, capturing those elusive moments when wildlife and humans share the same space, especially during the nocturnal hours. It’s been an incredible journey of patience, dedication, and a deep understanding of the intricate relationships that exist between the two worlds. Through my lens, I aim to shed light on the beauty, vulnerability, and interconnectedness of our natural environment. I believe that by showcasing these moments of coexistence, we can foster a greater appreciation for the importance of preserving and respecting the wildlife that shares our planet.