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Passionate about wildlife photography? Take your photography to the next level and hone your skills as a storyteller by being a part of Wild Clicks - India’s Only Live Photo Contest.
Season 10 of Wild Clicks - India’s most credible wildlife photo contest is back with a new set of challenges for contestants who would be gathering in one of India’s best locations for wildlife photography - Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur!
Join India’s best wildlife photographers, conservationists, film makers and master storytellers and gear up for a Wild Clicks experience amidst the misty mornings of Keoladeo. And who knows, you can walk away with some grand prizes and the title of
WILD CLICKS Photographer of the Year!
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Pick up from Bharatpur station at 09:00 AM - 12:00 noon & Check in at a lodge in the outskirts of Keoladeo. After a quick briefing session over the lunch table, we head off for our first evening field session in the park. Evening masterclass on wildlife photography - understanding light, composition and photography in Bharatpur.
With packed breakfast and lunch, we head off for a morning session in Keoladeo to make best use of the morning light (or the mist / fog as per the prevalent weather situation). Throughout the day we would be planning the field sessions in consultation with the Nature Wanderers photo guide who full be keeping the light and subjects in mind in order to plan the photography schedule effectively.
Post the field trip an extensive session on digital post processing would be conducted at the lodge where your images would be reviewed as well.
Post the morning field activity and breakfast in the park, you would return to the lodge. Check out by 11am post so that you can plan your return travel and Drop at Bharatpur railway station at 12:00 noon with loads of photographic memories from Bharatpur.
Wild Clicks is India’s Only Live Photo Contest where contestants from across the country gather in 1 location and photograph as per themes given to them in a defined time frame. Since 2010, Wild Clicks has travelled to India’s most popular and upcoming wildlife destinations celebrating and promoting the spirit of photography, creativity and storytelling. Here is a recap of the 9 seasons of Wild Clicks:
Panna National Park hosted season 9 of Wild Clicks with 55 contestants who came from across the country. For the first time in Wild Clicks - the concept of Photo Story was introduced and contestants were given the theme - The Story of Panna - wherein they had to work in the Panna landscape to showcase the ancient history, natural history and conservation history and challenges in the medium of 8-10 images that depicts the story of Panna.
1. Wild Clicks Photographer of the Year - INR 100,000
2. Photo Story First runner up - INR 50,000
3. Photo Story Second runner up - INR 35,000
4. Photo Story Young Photographer of the Year (Age 20 and below) - INR 50,000
1. Nature in Monochromes Winner - INR 35,000
2. Wings in Action - INR 35,000
3. Poetry in Nature - INR 35,000
1. Grand Prize - INR 75,000
2. First runner up - INR 50,000
3. Second runner up - INR 35,000
Contestants competing for the Wild Clicks Photographer of the Year title would be mandatorily participating for the photo story theme - Wetland Wonders
Under this theme 8-10 photos will have to submitted in order to showcase the basic character of India’s most prized wetland ecosystem and the conservation history and challenges behind conserving this wetland. Contestants are also expected to showcase the threats towards conserving the Bharatpur ecosystem and the future of this landscape.
In addition to the photo story, Wild Clicks Season 10 is back with 3 categories wherein contestants can submit a single photo in these categories.
- Nature in Monochrome
- Wings in Action
- Poetry in Nature
For the first time in Wild Clicks, we are pleased to introduce a video category - Keoladeo Moments - wherein contestants expected to present a story that depicts a moment in the wild - all packed in 1 minute. Every great story has a beginning, the peak and an ending and our jury will be looking for how neatly you package those amazing wild moments of Bharatpur in 60 seconds!
Jury
Dr. Anish Andheria is the President of the Wildlife Conservation Trust, a not-for-profit dedicated to preserving, protecting and conserving wildlife and fighting climate change, carrying out path-breaking conservation work across India. Dr. Andheria is a member of the Maharashtra State Board of Wildlife and a member of the Steering Committee of the Madhya Pradesh Tiger Conservation Foundation.
He has been awarded the prestigious Carl Zeiss Conservation Award 2008, and is a Fellow of LEAD, an international leadership programme on environment and development across 80 countries. He is a wildlife photographer and large-carnivore specialist, having photographed some of the most remote wildlife reserves of India. Andheria has co-authored two books on Indian wildlife and contributed to several other books and publications. In his lectures and conservation work, Dr. Andheria has introduced thousands of young people to the joys of nature and the rationale for nature conservation.
He was also a jury member for Wild Clicks Season 8 & 9.
Jury
Brand ambassador for Sony and one of India’s most prolific photography trainers, Sudhir Shivaram’s prowess in wildlife photography earned him the prestigious Sanctuary Asia Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2012 award. Recognized as one of the Top Ten Most Influential People in the Indian photography industry by Asian Photography Magazine from 2015 to 2018, Sudhir clinched the 'First' Most Influential honor in 2018.
The cover of National Geographic Traveller India's September 2013 issue, featuring Sudhir's captivating image, secured the National Geographic Yellow Border Award at the worldwide editorial awards in Washington D.C. in 2013.
He was also a jury member for Wild Clicks Season 9.
Jury
Sony Alpha Ambassador and a National Award-winning wildlife filmmaker from India, studied film in Canada and has received numerous national and international accolades. He is dedicated to using film to raise wildlife awareness and document unique animal behaviors. Recently, he has utilized cutting-edge technology to access challenging locations and spent two years filming the elusive western tragopan in The Great Himalayan National Park.
Gautam has directed several episodes of "Earth Matters," India's longest-running environmental TV series, and produced films for the Public Service Broadcasting Trust and the Ministry of Tourism, Rajasthan. Over the past five years, he has explored extreme environments, creating films on crucial topics like mangroves, high-altitude wetlands, sustainable buildings, and the impact of climate change on high-altitude shepherds.
He was also a jury member for Wild Clicks Season 8.
Jury
She is a conservation ecologist, photographer, author, diver, hotelier, and sustainability expert. As the first woman in the world and the first Indian to earn a Doctorate from the University of Oxford in Tiger Conservation and Management, she has been recognized with the title “Tiger Princess” for her significant contributions to big cat conservation. With over three decades of experience in the field, she has relied on Leica sports optics for observing animal behavior and identifying individuals, and she is a global ambassador for Leica Sports Optics, the first from India.
She works to raise awareness about conservation issues such as climate change, ocean health, and habitat protection through her photography, writing, and public speaking. Her work has been featured in renowned documentaries and programs by National Geographic, Discovery Channel, and BBC, with her most recent film, “The Journey of India,” airing on Discovery Channel as part of India’s 75th independence anniversary celebrations.
She serves on the National Tourism Advisory Committee and is an Ambassador for the Responsible Tourism Society of India. In 2023, she was honored as one of Asia's 100 Women Power Leaders and as a Woman Icon Leader for India.
Mentor
Internationally acclaimed photographer and a fellow of International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP), Shivang Mehta has worn many hats in his 2 decades of journey as a wildlife professional. From being a wildlife guide in Corbett National Park to starting India’s pioneering venture in wildlife photo tourism to an accomplished author of award winning books which went on become best-sellers to wildlife storytelling through the medium of his photo stories and films. Shivang is also the recipient of the ToFT Tigers award for his contribution in developing alternative wildlife tourism models by working with prominent wildlife lodges of India in locations outside the protected areas through the medium of DSLR camera trapping technology. Shivang and his team now works with the Government of India for documenting Project Cheetah - the world’s largest intercontinental translocation of a large carnivore.
As a Nature Wanderers photography guide he has led more than 1000 photo safaris across global habitats training innumerable photography aspirants in his more than 2 decades of work as a wildlife field professional.
Mentor
A nationally acclaimed Biodiversity expert, writer, trainer and a conservation activist carrying with him an extensive field experience of more than 15 years in the Indian forests. He has excellent knowledge of the fauna of the Western Ghats and especially loves reptiles. He is an adventure sports instructor for trekking, rafting, scuba diving, rock climbing and works in association with many renowned nature and adventure groups as advisor. He has published more than 8 research papers in various scientific journals on reptiles and avifauna diversity, habitat relationships, diversity analysis, behavioral ecology and conservation status of various species in the Western Ghats. He has travelled across Indian geography and is associated with DCP as Senior Advisor, Biodiversity Division.
Mentor
Saurabh worked as a planning engineer at Larsen & Toubro for seven years before he quit to become a full-time photographer. He has now established his own media production house, 50mm Media Productions, and has published a coffee table book named 'Visual Poetries - Fine Art Nature Photography'. He's won numerous national and international accolades and has had his work published on platforms like SAEVUS, Sanctuary Asia, National Geographic and Better Photography. Saurabh's main forte is nature photography, and he hopes to help people fall in love with nature and thereby create a collective consciousness of conservation.
Mentor
Canon EOS Maestro, Rahul has been engrossed in wildlife photography since 2004. Over the span of almost two decades, he has crafted a portfolio celebrated for its imaginative use of light and unparalleled creative insight. He finds his muse in nature's elements like snow, fire, dust, and rain. While the allure of breathtaking moments and documentary snapshots is undeniable, Rahul strives to draw attention to the sheer artistry inherent in nature.
Augmenting his visual narrative, he contributes to platforms such as Visual Wilderness, Digital-Photography-School, and WildlifePhotographicMag, sharing insights and distinct viewpoints on wildlife photography. His artistic acumen has garnered global praise, notably the Nature's Best Photography Award for Wildlife in 2017 and The MonoVision Photo Awards for Nature & Wildlife in 2023.
Mentor
Born in 1974 in Delhi, Dheeraj Paul is a distinguished photographer with nearly three decades of experience in editorial and advertising photography. A leading figure in contemporary Indian photography, he is known for his work in people, nature, travel, fine art, food, and architecture photography. As the brand ambassador for Sony Alpha and Founding Director of Indian Photo Tours, he leads photo expeditions and masterclasses. Paul’s expertise extends to indoor lighting setups, and he teaches advanced photography at the AJK Mass Communication and Research Centre, Jamia Millia Islamia University. His work has been recognized internationally, with roles as a jury member for the International Sony Photography Awards and Humanity Photo Awards, and accolades such as “Photographer of the Year” by Asian Photography Magazine in 2019. His published books include “Around India’s First Table,” and his photographs have been exhibited globally. Notable awards include the Gold Prize in the CANON Asia & Pacific Photo Contest and the first prize in “The Digital Photographer of the Year” by What Digital Camera Magazine.
Wild Clicks Season 10 is open for participation for amateur and professional photographers with a flair for story telling and wildlife photography (as per the themes defined). You can be a photographer across any genres or age-group and still participate in the contest.
As a part of the participation procedure, you need to fill up the registration form, Once your application is shortlisted you will receive an Email from payment and registrations.
Wild Clicks Season 10 will host 100 contestants only. Registration on a first come first serve basis.
Once selected participants pay a non-refundable registration fee of INR 7,500 + 5% GST to confirm your participation in the contest. Once you have paid the fee, you will have access to all Wild Clicks knowledge content which will help you to prepare for the contest. You will have access to participation in the contest and attending all the event activities (talks, workshops, interactions with jury and mentors and the gala networking dinner on the last night) happening during the duration of the contest
What is not covered as a part of the participation fee?
1. Accommodation and stay in Keoladeo National Park.
2. Field Activities - park visits, park fee and park excursions.
3. Travel to & from Bharatpur.
Keoladeo National Park is a small forest area (30 sq kms) and is one of the easiest places in the wildlife tourism map of the country where you can plan your visit from any part of the country.
There are multiple options to stay right outside the park gate. However for your convenience, we would recommend the following Wild Clicks affiliated hotels which are conveniently located from the park gate as well as the Wild Clicks central venue where you would have to report for the talks, film screenings, gala dinner and the prize distribution ceremony.
1. The Park - (Contact no. 8350947816)
2. Sun Bird - (Contact no. 9414023340)
3. Birds Inn - (Contact no. 7297991613)
4. Hotel Clarks Inn Express - (Contact no. 9664427742)
1. Pratap Regal - (Contact no. 8094869000 Mr. Abishek)10-12 Rooms.
2. Falcon Guest House - (Contact no. 8209929254 Mr. Dig Vijay) 8 Rooms.
3. Jungle lodge - (Contact no. 9414023152 Mr. Ashok ) 8 Rooms.
4. Kiran Guest House - (Contact no. 9460912641 Mr. Tarun) 6 Rooms.
5. Spoonbill (Contact no. 9783252754 Mr. Harish) 10 rooms.
Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur can be accessed in various ways and you are free to plan how you wish to explore the park.
Park Entry Fee Charges for Keoladeo National Park - INR 155/-
Indian Student - INR 63/-
As a Wild Clicks contestant you can opt for an E-Rickshaw to take you around in Keoladeo. Please note the park rules and fee for use of E-Rickshaw for park visits:
- Each Rickshaw can accommodate a maximum of 4 people and minimum of 1 person.
- If you are hiring an E-Rickshaw exclusively for yourself with no sharing with your co-contestants then the charges are INR 3300 per day.
- Please note guide is mandatory in case E-Rickshaw is hired for more than one person. Only if the e-rickshaw is hired exclusively for a single traveller, one can hire the rickshaw without the guide
As a Wild Clicks contestant you can opt to access the park on a self driven cycle. There are cycles available at the park gate on hire and you can even bring in your own cycle. A cycle gives you to access tracks and areas of the park where rickshaws are not allowed to go so it does give you the flexibility needed to be in the right areas at the right time in terms of light and action.
Please note the charges for cycles:
- Cycle hire charges at the gate - INR 150
As a Wild Clicks contestant you can explore the park on foot by just paying the park entry fee at the park gate. While on foot excursions are great and gives you the flexibility to explore the remotest corner of the park, but being on foot also means constraints when it comes to time management.
- Rickshaw - Full day (10 Hr) 2100 +1200 = 3300 Rickshaw,3300 Guide
- 2 Hours - 800/Rickshaw + 800/Guide = 1600
- 3 Hours - 1200/Rickshaw + 1200/Guide = 2400 (INR 300/- per Hour beyond 3 hour tripeach for E-Rickshaw & Wildlife Guide)
- Tonga INR 1200/- (Three Hours Trip)
- Small Boat-4 Seater INR 600 (For one Hour trip)
- Big boat-8 seater: INR 600 (for one hour trip)
- 11:00 AM - Contestants will report at The Park, Bharatpur for the inauguration ceremony of Wild Clicks Season 10.
- 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Introduction of Jury and Mentors and briefing by Mentors on contest rules and regulations.
- 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM - Contestants can plan their field activity in and around Bharatpur as per their vision for the contest.
- 7:00 PM - 7:20 PM - Talk by Rahul Sachdev, Wild Clicks Mentor - Unveiling the Magic of Keoladeo. Report at The Park for the talk.
- 7:20 PM - 8:30 PM - Mentors will interact with contestants at The Park.
- 5:30 AM - 7:00 PM - Contestants can plan their field activity in and around Bharatpur as per their vision for the contest.
- 7:00 PM - 7:20 PM - Talk by Dr. Anish Andheria, Wild Clicks Jury - Wetlands and Conservation. Report at The Park for the talk.
- 7:20 PM - 8:30 PM - Mentors will interact with contestants at The Park.
- 5:30 AM - 7:00 PM - Contestants can plan their field activity in and around Bharatpur as per their vision for the contest.
- 7:00 PM - 7:20 PM - Talk by Dheeraj Paul, Wild Clicks Mentor - Photography Legacy - A tribute to the father of Indian Photo Journalism - S Paul.Report at The Park for the talk.
- 7:20 PM - 8:30 PM - Mentors will interact with contestants at The Park.
- 5:30 AM - 11:00 AM - Contestants can plan their field activity in and around Bharatpur as per their vision for the contest.
- 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Photo Submission.
- 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM - Networking Gala Dinner at the Park.
- 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM - Award Ceremony at the Park.
