by Yvette Depaepe
Published the 3^rd of March 2025

Anita Singh is a passionate wildlife photographer with a keen eye for capturing the raw beauty of nature. Her deep-rooted love of the wild drives her to create work that shows the intricate and powerful connections between animals and their natural habitats. Over the years, she has honed her skills in documenting the untamed world, bringing to life the vibrancy and essence of the wild. Her photographs are not just images, but stories that reflect her deep respect and admiration for the animal kingdom. Through Anita's lens, she hopes to inspire others to appreciate and protect the natural world.
Travel with me through her wildlife kingdom and discover more about the person behind her photographs. 

'Peaceful pause'

Dear Anita, first of all I would like to thank you for taking the time to answer this questionnaire! To begin with, please introduce yourself and tell us more about yourself, your hobbies or other projects you are involved in!
I am Dr Anita Singh, a hobby photographer living in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, India. My journey began as a pathologist, but my heart found a new beat in photography, so from microscope lens I shifted to camera lens. Through this lens I paint stories of wildlife, landscapes and people, winning awards and gracing magazine pages was incidental but very motivating.Travelling, near and far, is my passion, along with my camera and books as my faithful companions.Every click has brought harmony to my life. My life's canvas is woven with the threads of creativity, exploration and a deep love of the visual and written arts.
Retirement has given me the opportunity to devote more time and energy to this passion for photography and travel.Photography has become an integral part of my retired life, bringing joy, fulfilment and a continued pursuit of artistic growth.

'Sunrise'

When and how did your photographic journey begin?
My journey with photography began in my teens, inspired by my father - a renowned wildlife photographer of his time, whose passion for nature painted my early dreams. Life's many twists and turns - demanding careers, the joys and challenges of marriage and a host of other responsibilities - kept me away from my camera. But as things settled down, a long dormant spark rekindled, inviting me to return to the art of capturing moments and reconnecting with the beauty around me. I started again in earnest in my late fifties.

'How do you do ?'

For many of us, photography is either a hobby or a way of life. How would you define your relationship to photography?
I love photography with all my heart - it started out as a cherished hobby, but over time it has become a way of life. With each shutter release, new perspectives and hidden stories emerge, transforming ordinary moments into extraordinary memories. With my camera as my constant companion, I engage in a deeply personal dialogue with the world around me. Forests, savannahs, lakes and rivers are my canvas, where I capture fleeting emotions, celebrate the beauty in everyday scenes and continually rediscover the magic woven into each day. 

'Meditative'

'March past'

What would you say has been the most important experience that has influenced your steps in photography?
When I bought my first DSLR and started shooting in raw, it was a turning point. Diving into Photoshop with this new toolset felt like opening Pandora's box - suddenly every piece of information captured in those raw files was at my fingertips, waiting to be transformed into a visual masterpiece. This revelation unlocked a world of possibilities, turning every photo into an opportunity to explore and express the true depth of the scene in front of me as I saw it when I clicked, or sometimes to use the information to create some images in an artistic way.

'Free riders'

'Anticipation of way ahead'

You have a very unique style. Why are you so drawn to wildlife photography?
I am a passionate wildlife photographer with a keen eye for capturing the raw beauty of nature. My deep-rooted love of the wild drives me to create work that shows the intricate and powerful connections between animals and their natural habitats. Over the years I have honed my skills in documenting the untamed world, bringing to life the vibrancy and essence of the wild. My photographs are not just images, but stories that reflect my deep respect and admiration for the animal kingdom. Through my lens I hope to inspire others to appreciate and protect the natural world.

'Safe haven'

What is more important to you, the mood/story behind your images or the technical perfection?
In general, what is your relationship to your subject matter, beyond that of an observer?
Do you carefully prepare the locations you want to photograph?
For me, the story and mood behind an image always takes precedence over technical perfection. With wildlife photography, it's the raw emotion and unfolding narrative that really captivates me - after all, a good DSLR can capture technical details, but it's the heart of the moment that speaks volumes. I'm not driven to chase after every new, expensive piece of equipment because my focus is on connecting with my subject on an emotional level. Whether it's the exhilaration of seeing prey escape by a hair's breadth or the bittersweet sadness of seeing a hunter's arduous pursuit come to nothing, each scene resonates with me deeply. I also take care to choose a variety of locations, allowing me to immerse myself in nature's vast biodiversity and capture its many stories up close.

Describe your overall photographic vision.
My photographic vision is defined by a deep commitment to capturing the soulful stories and emotions woven into each moment. Drawing on a lifelong passion for wildlife and nature, I seek to reveal the intimate interplay between my subjects and their surroundings. Rather than chasing technical perfection, I rely on the expressive potential of a well-timed shot - using my camera as a means of documenting the raw, spontaneous drama of nature. Each location I choose is a new stage for exploring different ecosystems, inviting me to transform fleeting moments into enduring stories that resonate on a personal and universal level.

'Serene Sip'

What do you think are the key characteristics of a successful wildlife photographer?
To me, a truly successful wildlife photographer is someone who can capture a fleeting moment that tells a rich, compelling story. This photographer captures not only the vivid details of an animal's habitat, but also the raw, authentic emotions present in nature. Their work allows viewers to connect deeply with the wild, experiencing the beauty and complexity of life in every frame.

'Love in the air'

Could you please tell us more about your workflow from idea to final product?
My workflow starts with capturing the image in the best possible light and from the ideal angle. As wildlife is by nature unpredictable and rarely under complete control, I have to stay alert, act quickly and anticipate the action. Once I have secured a great shot, I carefully select the best one before transferring it to Photoshop. While the editing process often reflects the mood of the moment, I consistently apply essential adjustments such as colour correction, removal of colour casts, noise reduction and removal of distractions. Because many wild animals naturally blend into their surroundings, I adjust exposure, shadows and other elements to make them stand out and ensure that the viewer can truly appreciate the animal in its habitat. I also spend a lot of time refining the colours to either enhance or subdue them, and where I see artistic potential, I experiment with black and white, low-key or high-key styles. Ultimately, I am always exploring the endless creative possibilities.

'Reflection'

'The chase'

Where do you find inspiration and what inspires you most?
With the vast resources available on the internet, I am constantly exploring wildlife photography and drawing inspiration from platforms such as 1x, Instagram and YouTube. These platforms allow me to discover incredible work from photographers around the world, helping me to refine my perspective and skills. In addition to photography, I have a deep passion for wildlife documentaries and make it a point to watch as many as possible, regardless of the platform - be it National Geographic, Animal Planet or Animal World. Documentaries featuring iconic figures such as David Attenborough and Jane Goodall are particularly inspiring, as they not only show the beauty of nature, but also highlight the importance of conservation. Their work fuels my passion, broadens my understanding of wildlife behaviour and reinforces my commitment to capturing nature in its purest form.

'Cuddly gang'

Many people think that the equipment is not very important when the passion for photography is strong. But can you please tell us what equipment you use (camera, lenses, lighting, tripod, etc.)?
While quality equipment is essential for capturing a clean, sharp image, it's only one aspect of creating a powerful photograph. The real magic lies in the story, the mood and the interplay of colour and light. My passion is rooted in capturing the emotion and narrative behind each shot, combining technical skill with heartfelt storytelling to create images that resonate with the viewer.
I use a Nikon D750 full frame DSLR along with a Tamron 150-600mm and a Nikon 24-120mm lens. I prefer to work hand-held rather than using a tripod, as I believe it allows me to capture those unexpected moments when animals and birds suddenly change direction. For the same reason I keep my equipment to a minimum.

'Focused'

'Meal time'

What is your favourite photo? Please tell us the story behind it.
It is almost impossible to choose a favourite photo as I am attached to so many of my shots. However, one image stands out - a moment captured after we had spent more than six hours following a pair of determined, hungry cheetah brothers. We followed them as they walked for miles, silently observing and stalking their prey. More often than not, the animal would sense their presence and flee. On this day, they almost caught a topi deer; the chase ended with the deer escaping, leaving the cheetahs dejected, exhausted and still hungry. The scene captured a bittersweet story: exhilaration for the deer and a poignant sense of loss for the cheetahs.

'Attack'

'Wild refreshment'

'Brothers'

Who are your favourite photographers or mentors whose work has influenced you and your photography?
My earliest inspiration in wildlife photography was my father. Watching his work up close sparked my passion and motivated me to pursue the field. He mentored me in my early years, giving me invaluable tips that have stayed with me and guided me as I restarted my photographic journey. I also researched various wildlife photographers online, absorbing their work and learning from their techniques - not to copy, but to be inspired. I particularly love exploring the work of wildlife photographers on 1x, where I find deep inspiration and continuous learning.

Now that we have almost reached the end of this interview, I would like to ask you to tell us about any plans or photographic projects you would like to be involved in.
I'm very excited about the projects that lie ahead. One of my main goals is to explore remote wildlife habitats and document the unseen moments of animal behaviour in their natural environment. I hope to work with conservation groups to create photo essays that highlight the challenges and triumphs of wildlife, ultimately raising awareness of conservation efforts.
I'm also considering a long-term project - a book of photographs that weaves together these immersive experiences with the stories of the animals I encounter. In addition, I plan to host workshops to share techniques and insights with aspiring photographers, fostering a community that values storytelling and conservation through images.
Each of these projects is a step towards not only capturing beautiful moments, but also making a meaningful impact on wildlife awareness and conservation.

Is there anything else you would like to add and what do you think of 1X as a home base for your work?
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to 1x for providing me with a home base that has provided both exposure and invaluable learning opportunities. Your platform has truly enriched my photographic journey and I am truly honoured to have the opportunity to showcase my work through this esteemed interview. Thank you dear Yvette for this wonderful platform and your support. 

'Yawn'

'The fun and frolic'

'Silhouette'