A stunning image of lions from Nakuru - a relatively small national park in Kenya - has won Mumbai-based photographer Sachin Rai the first prize in DJ Memorial Photo Contest (DJMPC).
The award's sixth edition, which received 6,674 entries from 1,484 participants from across the world, was announced on July 30 at Coimbatore.
Speaking to DNA, Rai who won Rs 2.5 lakhs in the Wildlife Category, said that he had shot this image on September 10, 2016 while on an evening safari. “We heard of this pride of lions in a bush close to the airstrip inside the park. When we drove to the place, we saw these two big adult lions from the same pride resting on a large dead tree. As soon as we stopped, it started raining heavily. We had to close the window of the car and just sit there and admire both the magnificent animals get drenched in the rain. Just for a brief moment, the sun came out through the clouds and the intensity of the rain reduced and it continued with the drizzle. Soon, something at the horizon attracted the attention of one of the brothers and he got up and started staring at it and we quickly rolled down the window and started taking pictures,” he said.
Digwas G won first prize in the Landscape Category for his image ‘Lonely Tree’
The photograph titled ‘The brothers’ throne’ depicting the magnificence of the two lions perched upon a tree with drizzle has not only won over the jury but even has other wildlife photographers in awe.
Speaking about his winning image Rai who has documented wildlife not only all over India but also in Africa said that one cannot explain how gorgeous the setting was that evening. In fact, he added, a photographer is always in a dilemma over how does he replicate the scene for their viewer.
“Composition is always a challenge. I would like to believe that I could capture this frame which depicted the scene in totality with the rain, male lions in prime, one sitting and one standing, large old fallen tree and the greenery around it,” he summed up.
In the wildlife category Nitin Jain bagged the second prize for his photo titled 'Rush hour', while Digwas G won first prize in the Landscape Category for his image ‘Lonely Tree’.
Nitin Jain bagged the second prize for his photo titled 'Rush hour' comprising a flock of birds flying
The DJMPC winners take home cash award of Rs. 2.5 lakh while the runners-up get cash prize of Rs. 1.5 lakh each.
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