The six shots
01
Tiger on the track, eye level
Drop the lens to the door sill. Eye level turns a snapshot into a portrait — and the dust behind goes soft.
02
Reflection at the lake edge
Rajbagh and Padam Talao give still water at first light. Frame wide enough to hold the whole mirrored animal.
03
The environmental frame — fort and forest
The ruins are what makes Ranthambhore itself. Place the tiger small and let the place carry the story.
04
Sambar alarm — the moment before
Shoot the deer, not just the cat. Head up, ears forward, one tight frame of the warning that says a tiger is moving.
05
Backlit dust at the end of the drive
Turn into the sun as the vehicle moves off; underexpose two stops and let the dust become the subject.
06
Cub behaviour at the water
Late-season heat pins families at water. Patience over movement — stay put and let the behaviour come to you.
Gear: a 100-400mm or 200-600mm for zones with distance, a 70-200mm for the environmental frames, and a beanbag — tripods are useless in a Gypsy.
Before you go
The settings and kit decisions this trip will ask of you.
Before you goCamera Settings for a Tiger SafariThe starting settings for photographing tigers in India — shutter, aperture, ISO, autofocus and metering for low dawn light, dust, and a moving vehicle. Plus how to tune them to your body.Read the write-up →Before you goBest Focal Length for Safari: 400, 500, 600 or 800mm?How much reach an African safari really needs. What 400, 500, 600 and 800mm each give you, park by park, and why more is not always better.Read the write-up →
Common questions
When is the best time to photograph Ranthambhore?
March to June — thin cover, high heat, predictable water. April and May are the strongest odds.
What is the best light in Ranthambhore?
First safari, first hour: low side light through dust. Afternoons give warm backlight along the lake edges.
What gear should I take to Ranthambhore?
a 100-400mm or 200-600mm for zones with distance, a 70-200mm for the environmental frames, and a beanbag — tripods are useless in a Gypsy.
Your own brief
Plan your own Ranthambhore brief
Ten shots, the conditions, the gear and the questions to ask your guide — built for your dates, your kit and your subjects.
Plan my briefFree critique
Get your Ranthambhore shots critiqued — free
Upload one frame and get an honest read: what is working, the one fix that matters, and the exact settings to change next time.
Critique my photo