How about a snapping tour in the wild?

BANGALORE: Each time Venkatesh T S went to a forest for a vacation, he would come back with loads of wildlife photographs. Not anymore. Venkatesh doesn't take random shots now, only high-quality images. This, after learning the art of wildlife photography, courtesy photo tours.
"I now know how to follow animal behaviour, compose a picture based on the light availability and most importantly, when not to take a photo," said this 30-year-old software engineer, who pursues wildlife photography as a hobby.
Travelling to fancy wildlife destinations, clicking photos, getting them reviewed and getting tips to shoot better pictures, all with ace photographers by one's side - these are the essential components of the photo tours, which have of late become very popular. Not just Bangaloreans, people from other cities too join in for such photo tours.
"We restrict the group size to 10-12 to ensure that we give personal attention to everyone. There are pre and post-safari sessions every day of the tour. The first session is meant to familiarize them with the natural surroundings and tell them how to compose pictures while the elaborate post-safari sessions review the photos clicked by participants," said Giri Cavale, co-founder of Toehold, which conducts such tours. Giri is the ace photographer who accompanies teams.
Picking spots for pics
"We select destinations based on subjects of interest at places. They must be appealing for photography in some sense or the other," said Arun Bhat of Darter. Photo tours vary from one day to nine days at Darter, depending on domestic or international destinations being visited.
Bangalore Photography Workshops Private Limited (BPW), founded in 2009, conducts photographic trails too, both in India and in Kenya at the Masai Mara. So popular are their tours that they intend to introduce more international destinations like Cappadocia in Turkey, Borneo and Yala in Sri Lanka this year. Back home, they are all set to start Rann of Kutch tours.
"Both men and women come for such trips. The objective is to ensure that they come home with memorable photos that can be cherished lifelong," said A B Apana, one of the two instructors at BPW.
"My wife and I are going to Bandhavgarh next week. I have been to 13-odd photo tours till date to both domestic and international destinations. My knowledge of photography has vastly improved after being part of such trips," said Dr Sriram K R, a 62-year-old family physician who stays in Jayanagar.
Exotic trips
Masai Mara, Kenya. Tour date: May 24-31. Tour cost (individuals): $2,750 per person; couples: $5,300 (fares excluding flights)
Kabini, Nagarahole Tiger Reserve. Tour date: June 6-8. Tour cost (Indian individuals): Rs 19,500 per person; Rs 37,500 per couple, inclusive of taxes