6 Iconic Shots to Capture on an India Tiger Photo Expedition

One of my favorite things about travel is the photos I bring home. The walls in my office and our home’s central staircase are covered in framed prints of shots my husband and I have taken around the world—in China, the Cotswolds, Cambodia, the American West and Florida, Morocco, Turkey, Greece, Botswana and Tanzania, all across Switzerland where we live, and so many more places—each comes alive as I glance up from my computer during a busy afternoon or climb the stairs at the end of each day. 

One of the ways to ensure I capture the photos I’m anticipating when we travel is to create a well thought out and organized travel photo shot list.  

That way, when we’re on the road, I have a checklist at the ready and can easily track my progress. Nat Hab’s India Tiger Photo Expedition has inspired a new shot list for me! 

Here are six kinds of iconic shots I’d aim to capture on an Indian wildlife safari:  

1. The complex culture of Old Delhi  

Old Delhi was founded as a walled city and officially named Shahjahanabad in 1648, when Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan moved the Mughal capital from Agra. Capture the character of centuries of Old Delhi’s complex, multi-layered history on a rickshaw ride and guided walk through the narrow lanes and bustling Chandni Chowk Market. 

Explore the architectural treasure of Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque and Shah Jahan’s magnum opus. Completed in 1656 by more than 5,000 laborers, the grand edifice features alternating vertical strips of red sandstone and white marble, and a vast inner courtyard large enough to hold 25,000 people. 

Gurdwara Bangla Sahib is one of the country’s most revered Sikh temples. The complex is associated with Har Krishan, the youngest of the Sikh Gurus, and includes the main temple, school, sacred water tank and large community kitchen that prepares over 10,000 free meals every day. Known as langar, all meals are cooked by volunteers using donated ingredients from Sikh farmers. 

Capturing Old Delhi’s complex character is a unique challenge—is it in the people, life on the streets, the architecture? Try capturing movement and energy. Your shots to start the trip may show it in myriad ways. 

2. The Tiger Conservation Success at Ranthambore National Park

Are Bengal tigers on your wildlife photography Bucket List? In the renowned tiger enclave of Ranthambore National Park, when the Indian spring moves toward the hotter months, animals anticipate the monsoon still weeks away. 

During the heat of the day, tigers seek shelter, but they emerge to feed and drink, moving from the dry underbrush into the open at least twice a day—that’s the time to capture your next iconic shot! 

With over 3,680 individuals, India is home to 75% of the world’s tiger population. Will you capture an iconic shot of one—or more—of them? Is a direct gaze on your shot list? A close up of the pattern of a tiger’s stripes? The slow amble of a tiger in the heat of day? 

Photographing Tigers at Ranthambore Tiger Reserve 

The Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, declared a National Park in 1980, is one of the largest tiger habitats in the country. A former royal hunting ground, it now supports a population of 80 tigers in a dry deciduous forest located between two mountain ranges, Aravalli and Vindhya.

The foundations for Ranthambore Fort were laid by King Sapaldaksha of the Chauhan Dynasty in 944 AD, and it was added to by successive rulers. It’s a vast, crumbling complex of picturesque ruins of palaces, temples and courtyards which now make unique habitat, providing shade and shelter for the animals—and beautiful backdrops. 

In India, the 1972 tiger census revealed the existence of only 1,827 tigers, prompting Indira Gandhi to enact significant wildlife protections, including the creation of core areas, such as Ranthambore National Park, isolated from human encroachment. The surrounding areas were to be made into buffer zones, where animals and humans can coexist, and where activities such as ecotourism and sustainable agriculture can take place. 

Early morning and late afternoon safaris provide the best light for photographing the tigers of Ranthambore, with golden hues streaming through the trees. As the tigers move through the dense jungle, stealthily approach a waterhole or take cover under dense brush, be prepared to switch between wide shots capturing their environment and close-ups that convey the intensity in their gaze. 

The park’s rocky terrain and ancient ruins add a mystical element, enhancing the drama of the shot​—be on the lookout for seven different cat species! Ranthambore is also home to a notable leopard population, although they tend to stay in higher, more inaccessible areas and are not frequently visible. 

Tigers may be your main focus, but other wildlife is plentiful. Sightings may include spotted deer, nilgai, jackal, jungle cat, sloth bear, sambar, chinkara gazelle, wild boar, langur monkeys and rhesus macaques. 

One of the most iconic wildlife shots to capture on an Indian tiger photo expedition is of the Bengal tigers of Ranthambore National Park.  

3. Golden Majesty: The Taj Mahal at Sunrise and Sunset 

The Taj Mahal, one of the world’s most photographed landmarks, reveals its true splendor at sunrise and sunset. Sunrise bathes the marble in a soft, pinkish glow, while sunset offers a warm, golden light that contrasts with the rich blue and orange hues of the sky. 

The Taj was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, as a testimony of his intense love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. It is a romance celebrated in marble and glorified with precious and semi-precious stones. 

To capture the intricate beauty of the Taj Mahal, play with reflections on the still waters of the surrounding pools. For a fresh perspective, shift your composition, from wide-angle shots capturing the full scope of the monument to tighter compositions focusing on architectural details like the floral inlays or the delicate symmetry of its arches.  

What kinds of images do you hope to capture at the Taj Mahal? Do you want to tell a love story in images? Evoke its sense of tranquility and reverence? Capture details you’ve never seen in others’ photos from the same place.  

4. Leopards, Flora, and Fauna of the Jhalana forest 

Tigers may be the stars of this photo expedition, but the private Jhalana Leopard Reserve offers a thrilling opportunity to photograph leopard adults and cubs. 

Known for their stealth and ability to vanish into the landscape, leopards are an elegant, elusive subject. The Jhalana Leopard Reserve offers one of the best opportunities in India to photograph leopards engaged in their routine activities and natural habitat. 

Jhalana is the world’s most densely populated leopard reserve, which nearly guaratees a sighting. With leopards, lighting is everything—dappled light filtering through trees creates powerful contrasts, highlighting the golden tones of their fur against shadowy branches and brush. 

Photographing a leopard is another iconic shot on an Indian tiger safari or Indian tiger photo expedition. 

The Jhalana forest is a dry deciduous forest, dominated by the sloping valleys and sharp cliffs of the Aravalli hills. The forest features plants that thrive in arid conditions like juliflora and khejri, the state tree of Rajasthan. 

In addition to leopards, you might spot—and capture shots of—a variety of other animals: striped hyenas, Indian civets, desert foxes, jackals, porcupines, monitor lizards, mongooses, sambar deer, spotted deer, and blue bull.  

5. Winged Wonders: Birds of Ranthambore & Jhalana 

Northern India is a paradise for bird enthusiasts, offering the chance to capture a range of colorful avian species in their natural habitat. 

From Indian peafowl displaying their iridescent tail feathers to crested serpent eagles soaring overhead, this environment offers endless opportunities for avian photography. Experiment with fast shutter speeds to capture birds in flight, or slow it down for graceful shots of waterfowl on tranquil lakes. 

Iconic kingfishers, with their vivid blues and oranges, provide striking contrasts against the earthy tones of the forest. Photographs of birds perched against the dramatic backdrop of Ranthambore’s ancient ruins add a timeless quality to your shots​. 

Over 300 avian species, both migratory and endemic, might also pose for photos in Ranthambore National Park. Keep an eye out for paradise flycatchers, painted storks—you may hear the peacocks before you spot them.  

Jhalana Leopard Reserve hosts hundreds of bird species, too. According to Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology eBird platform, over 225 species have been spotted in and around the Jhalana Leopard Reserve. 

Tips for Photographing Birds 

Nat Hab’s Director of Photo Expeditions, Mike Hillman, is an award-winning birder, too, so I asked him for tips on photographing birds in India. Here are 4 ideas you can practice right away. He shared: 

• Before traveling to someplace like India, practice at home with your backyard birds. Sitting at a bird feeder or local duck pond are great proving grounds where you can practice your photo skills and become more familiar with your camera. You’ll be much better prepared to get great shots of interesting bird species that you’ll see on your travels. 

• Where should you focus when photographing birds? Like with other animals, your photo’s audience will want look at the eye first before seeing the bird’s interesting colors or patterns. Ensure you get sharp focus on the eye to get your best shot. 

• Sometimes the best shots of birds are when they are at eye level with the camera. Photographing from above the ground or below the bird flying overhead aren’t nearly as visually interesting to your audience as a photo with the bird at the same height as the camera.  
• Often, the most visually interesting photographs of birds are when they are in flight. Be ready with a quick shutter speed, 1/1000 or 1/2000 are great to freeze action. 

6. Jaipur: The Pink City on Water and in Motion 

While your trip may focus on wildlife, no photographer can resist the vibrant energy of Jaipur’s Pink City, where centuries-old architecture meets the hustle and bustle of daily life. Jaipur is a visual delight, offering endless photography opportunities. 

Capture the intricate details of the Hawa Mahal, with its hundreds of windows and coral-hued facade, or focus on the contrast between the ornate palaces and the vibrant markets below. 

Wide-angle shots of the cityscape at sunrise or sunset provide a breathtaking view of this desert city bathed in warm light. Street photography comes alive here—capture the essence of local culture through portraits of artisans, colorful fabrics, and market scenes. The interplay of shadow and light in Jaipur’s narrow lanes adds a dramatic flair to your images, reflecting the dynamic contrast between old-world charm and modern life​. 

Survey it on a morning open rickshaw tour. Jaipur’s sprawling bazaars draw locals arriving in their own rickshaws and camel-drawn carts, shopping for a dazzling array of goods, from carpets and camel leather bags to precious stones and textiles. Bags of spices perfume the air, and huge metal pots simmer with pungent curries.  

The Govind Dev Ji temple, at the heart of the city palace complex, is another highlight. Devoted to Lord Krishna, the Hindu temple is one of the most important religious and cultural sites in the daily lives of locals. Take a short walk through the palace garden to reach the busy farmers market and flower market where turbaned traders sell sacks of roses and marigolds.  

How will you capture the energy and agelessness of Jaipur? 

Create your own India Travel Photography Shot List 

What iconic shots of India’s wildlife and colorful culture will you want to be sure to capture? Put them on your own shot list. Each one offers its own unique challenges and rewards, and will enrich your photographic portfolio and create lasting memories of India’s vibrant wildlife, iconic landscapes, and rich cultural heritage. 

Each of these six kinds of iconic travel photos is an opportunity to capture not just an image, but the story and spirit of northern India. 

More Resources for your India Tiger Photo Expedition 

Don’t Forget to check out the resources, tips and guides on our Know Before You Go and Videos & Webinar pages. 

In How to Shoot Timeless Wildlife Photography in Black and White, a Daily Dose of Nature video, Nat Hab India Photo Expedition Leader Aditya Panda answers important photo questions: 

• Why shoot in black and white when nature’s colors are beautiful and resonant? 

• What are the best light conditions for black and white photography? 

• Do some wildlife species look better in black and white than others? 

In Post-Processing Wildlife Photos in Black & White, Panda demonstrates how to post-process your color wildlife photographs and convert them to black and white.