The Art of Seeing: A Celebration of Wildlife Photography in Kolkata

22 August 2026 | Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Kolkata

Wildlife photography is often described as the art of capturing a moment. But before a photographer can capture that moment, they must first learn how to see it. That idea formed the foundation of a wildlife photography exhibition, talkshow and workshop held at the Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Kolkata, on 22 August 2026. Organised by Sony India and Whiskers Kolkata, the event brought together wildlife photographers and photography enthusiasts for an evening dedicated to observation, creativity and visual storytelling.

A Celebration of Sony Wildlife Photography

A major part of the event was the wildlife photography exhibition, which showcased photographs created exclusively by Sony users. The collection demonstrated the variety of approaches photographers bring to wildlife, from intimate portraits and behavioural moments to environmental compositions and creative interpretations of nature.

The exhibition was inaugurated by acclaimed wildlife photographer Dhritiman Mukherjee, whose presence added significance to an event centred around the evolving language of wildlife photography in India.

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The Art of Seeing

The programme continued from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a talkshow and workshop exploring the creative process behind wildlife photography.

Jayanta Guha shared his perspective on The Art of Seeing, focusing on an aspect of photography that often receives less attention than camera settings and equipment: the photographer's ability to observe.

The discussion explored how photographers can become more conscious of:

1. Light and its direction

2. Wildlife behaviour and anticipation

3. Background and negative space

4. Composition and visual balance

5. Environmental storytelling

6. Creative framing

7. Timing and decisive moments

8. Moving beyond conventional wildlife portraits

The central idea was simple: better wildlife photography begins with better observation.

A photographer may have the latest camera and the longest lens, but equipment alone cannot determine what makes a photograph memorable. The ability to recognise an unusual interaction, wait for the right light, identify a complementary background or see a story within an ordinary moment is what ultimately shapes the image.

More Than Photographing Wildlife

The session also reflected Jayanta Guha's broader approach to wildlife photography and mentorship, encouraging photographers to move beyond simply documenting animals and begin thinking about interpretation, emotion and visual storytelling.

Wildlife provides the subject, but the photographer determines how that subject is presented.

The evening at Birla Academy was therefore not just an exhibition or a photography workshop. It was an opportunity for the Kolkata photography community to come together, exchange ideas and look at wildlife photography from a more creative perspective.

“The Art of Seeing” was ultimately about one of the most important skills a photographer can develop: learning to see the photograph before making it.