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“For me, the perfect shot is not just about the image, it’s about the patience, respect, and journey that lead to it,” says Amoghavarsha JS.
From frogs in the monsoon-soaked Western Ghats to tigers in Wild Karnataka, Amoghavarsha JS reminds us that the true magic of wildlife photography lies in the journey, not just the frame.
What does the idea of a “perfect shot” really mean? For award-winning Indian filmmaker, wildlife photographer, and conservationist Amoghavarsha JS, the answer has never been about a single image or moment. Instead, it lies in the journey of research, waiting, respect for nature, and the joy of discovery.
“In wildlife, this becomes even more complex,” Amoghavarsha reflects. “Unlike other art forms, you cannot choreograph or direct your subject. You cannot ask an animal to behave a certain way. You can only prepare yourself and then wait.”
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Preparation Before the Wild
For him, the process begins long before stepping into the forest. “It means doing my homework: understanding what I am filming, how to reach the subject, what season is right, and what conditions may unfold. By the time I get there, I also need to know what story I want to tell, and how I can capture it with the least disturbance to the animal, its habitat, and its environment.”
This mindful preparation forms the foundation of his practice. Yet, even with all the planning, the wild has its own rhythm. “As a wildlife photographer, I can find the right place, the right time, and imagine the frame, but I must also accept that it may never happen. That is why patience becomes the most important part of this process. In the wild, things almost never go the way you plan.”
A Frog in the Rainforest
Patience is something he learned deeply while photographing a newly discovered frog species in the Western Ghats. “To see it, I had to go out during torrential monsoon rains, in the middle of the night. For almost a week I returned again and again into the rainforest, soaked and exhausted, often coming back with nothing. And then, finally, I was able to see it and capture the image. People saw the final shot and were amazed. But for me, the real lesson was the journey, the perseverance it demanded, the knowledge I gained about the frog, and about the forest itself.”
The episode shaped how he views his craft: the photograph is only the sum of all that effort—the research, the waiting, the respect for boundaries.
Films That Tell Stories Beyond Frames
This philosophy has carried into his filmmaking. Wild Karnataka, a landmark documentary narrated by Sir David Attenborough, took years of patience. “The film was not just about showing spectacular animals, but about revealing the larger story of an entire landscape. Every sequence demanded planning, research, and often weeks of waiting in the field before something came together. And when it did, it carried the same joy as that frog in the monsoon forest, an unrepeatable moment that made all the effort worthwhile.”
His film Gandhada Gudi, made with the late Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar, was even more personal. “It was about exploring our own land, discovering its beauty and fragility together. There were moments in that film, Puneeth’s first tiger sighting, or the wonders underwater at Netrani where something unexpected would happen with the light or with the scene around us. Those moments reminded me that as a photographer and filmmaker, my greatest gift is to witness and share wonder.”
Currently, Amoghavarsha is working on a cross-border project with Germany, continuing his journey of showing how landscapes and stories connect us beyond boundaries.
The Rarity of True Joy
In an age of instant gratification and quick dopamine hits, he finds nature a grounding teacher. “In our regular lives, we are surrounded by small joys, the things we do, the food we eat, what we watch. But they often pass unnoticed. Out in nature, it is different. When after days of waiting you find that one moment of wonder when the animal is in good light, the scene is perfect, and everything comes together like magic you realise how rare and precious that joy truly is.”
For Amoghavarsha, the true reward is never just the image. It is the process, the patience, and the lessons carried back from the forest into life. “The joy that comes from it is rare, and it teaches me how I should live my own life. It’s always about the journey. Yes, there are those great moments of joy, wonder, and magic but they come with hard work, preparation, and the willingness to enjoy the process. Because when I’m out there learning more about wildlife, I’m also, in many ways, learning more about myself.”
In the end, the forest becomes a mirror reflecting life’s truths, slowing time, and deepening perspective. Perhaps, as Amoghavarsha believes, that is the truest perfect shot: not the one that changes what you see, but the one that changes how you live.
About the Author
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl…Read More
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl… Read More
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