Wildlife / Animals nominee

This year, I turned my lens toward a truly fascinating subject: the Indian Flying Fox. My goal was to blend wildlife behavior with visual storytelling, capturing a bat emerging from behind a tree, framed naturally by branches. Using a panning technique, I aimed to convey motion in a still frame.

This was one of my most technically demanding projects. I spent days experimenting with lenses and shutter speeds, often battling focus issues and elusive subjects in flight. Backlighting added another layer of challenge, but also created a rare and dramatic visual effect.

This image stands out to me—it captures the mystery, grace, and fleeting beauty of the flying fox in its natural environment. It’s the result of patience, planning, and a deep respect for the wild.

I am Vinod Patil, fondly known as Baiju, and for the past three decades I have dedicated my life to
exploring forests, documenting wildlife, and using my camera as a tool for conservation. Nature has
always been my true home—the call of birds, the silence of the jungle, and the raw beauty of wild
landscapes fuel my passion every day. My journey has been blessed with many honours. I am the only
photographer to have won the Sanctuary Asia Wildlife Photographer of the Year title three times. In
2018, I received the DJ Memorial International Award, and my tiger photographs were later exhibited
at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Representing India at the FIAP World Cup in Serbia (2017) and
winning the Gold Medal was one of my proudest moments. In 2015, the UK recognised me as the
International Garden Photographer of the Year. To date, I have received more than 32 national and
international awards, including recognition from National Geographic, Europe, the UK, and Australia.
In 2010, I published my coffee-table book “Wildscapes”, which was launched by the Governor of
Maharashtra in the presence of Shri Mukesh Ambani. Beyond awards, I take pride in mentoring young
photographers, training them