Tiger photographer

He started training as a nature guide in 2014 after he began to enjoy being in the forest. Tourists started walking around the forest. Also included was a small compact camera. That is what increased his interest in 'wild life photography'. After taking photography training in 2016, he bought a 'DSLR camera' and a 'tele lens' by spending around five lakhs. Deepak has been searching for wildlife with a 'view finder' for seven years.

A photographer by passion, a nature guide by profession, he is often a 'wildlife photographer' and 'guide' in the forest. Having understood the behavior and lifestyle of the tiger, he has become adept at showing the tiger to the guests and taking pictures. They are adept at finding the direction of the tiger from its footprints and feces. "If you are patient and curious, you can see the tiger 100 percent," he says. The sound and activity of birds, deer, monkeys can also reveal the presence of Deepak tiger.

Deepak, who is excited by the sight of a tiger, is ready to take any risk to take a picture of it. Fear disappears when you go to the forest. "When I see a tiger, I get more excited. At that time, rather than fear, I just want to know from which angle I can get an attractive photo," he said. Within a short time, he has photographed 32 adult tigers and 18 dams out of 125 in Bardia. The photos of tigers taken by him have earned him fame and money even abroad. He also takes videos of tigers.

He says that he has earned more than 1 million in 7 years by selling photos and videos of tigers. He sold tiger photos and videos to National Geographic and BBC World Service for two lakh rupees each. The BBC World Service produced a news report two years ago using the footage he shot, and National Geographic also covered it in a documentary. In the August 2023 issue of the German-language GEO magazine, a photo of a tiger taken by Deepak himself is published. The Nepal Tourism Board, Buddha and Yeti Airlines and various banks have also bought photographs of Bardiya tigers taken by him. A hoarding board with a picture of two tigers enjoying the water drawn by him has been placed in the premises of the National Parks and Wildlife Department in Kathmandu.

He has photographed tigers from many angles. Yawning, angry, happy, walking with food, eating, crossing the river, sitting in the river and hunting have been photographed. Besides, he is also tired of not being able to take a picture of the tiger walking with 4 damru because he did not carry a camera. However, he considers the moment when he was able to photograph two 4/5-month-old damarus in the river near the East-West highway inside the park last January to be unforgettable.

Also, even 4 years ago, he did not take pictures of two damarus. At that time, Damaru Ali was two years old, now he looks like a child. Now we have got good lighting, movement and angle,' he said, 'Now the picture is very exciting.' Similarly, remembering the moment when he took a picture of 4 tigers in one frame inside the park, he adds, 'At first two tigers were seen in the water, then another one came. I was happy to have three tigers in one frame, another one was spotted in the bush nearby. Coincidentally, when a tiger came out of the frame, the moment of photographing all four tigers in one frame was the best moment of life.'

In 2018, he took National Geographic photographer and photo editor Kerin and India's senior wildlife photographer Balan Madhavan inside the park and captured the best picture of a tiger. Chungba Sherpa, a wildlife photographer from Nepal, travels with Deepak when he reaches Bardia. He says that he was able to learn more 'techniques' of wildlife photography while traveling in the forest with the Sherpas. For promoting tourism through photography, Deepak has been awarded this year's Lumbini Youth Icon by the Nepal Youth Council.

Taking pictures of yawning tigers is another happiest moment, says Deepak. "This photo was the most liked and sold the most," which he took at Gobrela Chowk when he was just learning photography. He has also photographed 10 different leopards. Tigers are shy. A good picture does not come from a distance. You have to go close and hide. Sometimes a tiger also encounters when it comes to its hiding place. "You should not run away at such a time," he said, "I will always remember the incident when I ran away with my guest when I encountered a tiger in the Patkunwa river."

According to Deepak, you should be very careful while taking photos, you should know the behavior of the tiger. One should know how far to take pictures so as not to disturb the tiger. The geographical situation should be known. All tigers have their own territory. So one must have knowledge about tiger movement. Get in touch with other nature guides. Accordingly, we follow the tiger and show it to the guests and take pictures," he said.

According to him, morning is the best time for photography. Tiger movement is more in the morning and evening. Tigers are mostly seen in March, Baisakh and May. Tigers are strange. Sometimes it can be seen within a minute of entering the park," he said. He says that once he went to a place where tiger tracks were seen for 6 days and returned disappointed.

He has also taken great pictures of animals like tigers, elephants, rhinos, leopards and antelopes. Deepak has also taken pictures of more than 210 species of birds found in Bardia.