10-year-old Arshdeep Singh from Jalandhar, Punjab has scripted history by winning the prestigious Young Wildlife Photographer of The Year (Asia) Award, for his stunning snap titled ‘Pipe Owls’. The photograph, taken outside Kapurthala in Punjab, shows two spotted owlets snugly peeping from inside a pipe. Arshdeep was presented with the award on Tuesday at a gala ceremony organised at the Natural History Museum, London.
The story behind the winning shot
Talking to Hindustan Times, Arshdeep excitedly shared the story behind his marvellous shot. “I often travel to Kapurthala with my father for nature photography. One such day, when I saw a ‘spotted owl’ flying inside a tube, I told my father to stop the car. He did not believe me. We waited for some time until they came out again and without wasting a moment, I took the shot. My father was stunned,” shares Arshdeep.
He added that while capturing the moment, he felt that the baby owls were staring straight at him. “I felt like each one of them wanted to say to me- I see you!” he narrates.
His father is a professional wildlife photographer
Randeep Singh, Arshdeep’s father, is a familiar name among wildlife photographers in India. It’s no wonder that young Arshdeep was deeply inspired by his father and has found his passion in the lens as well. He took up the camera when he was only six years old.
The father and son duo often pair up to travel to exotic locations across the world to capture the wildlife. Arshdeep’s excellent skills are evident in his amazing shots of wild beasts which he has shared on social media.
Lions, tigers, leopards have been caught in their majestic moods by him; however, Arshdeep reveals he is particularly passionate about capturing the birds.
The young expert’s photographs have already been featured in top international photography magazines like Lonely Planet UK, Germany & India as well as BBC Wildlife UK, reports Hindustan Times.
About the award
According to Times Now, The Wildlife Photographer of the Year (WPY) happens to be the biggest competition for wildlife photography in the world. This year Arshdeep has won in the ‘10 years and under’ age category, which was awarded by Britain’s Natural History Museum. The organisers appreciated Arshdeep’s ‘keen observational skills’ in a tweet about the award.
Our youngest category winner, in 10 Years and Under, is Arshdeep Singh from India with ‘Pipe Owls’.
After his keen observational skills helped him see these spotted owlets Arshdeep waited patiently for the birds to peep out from their hiding place to get this winning shot.#WPY54 pic.twitter.com/utLSEXt3qW— Wildlife Photographer of the Year (@NHM_WPY) October 16, 2018
Thank you note for the family
Post the award ceremony, Arshdeep took to Facebook to express his gratitude towards his family for their unending support and inspiration.
“I would like to thanks my family because without their support this wasn’t really possible. Thank you for motivating and supporting me. Special thanks to my grandparents, parents and my sister,” read his Facebook status.
“I learn every day, learning helps me become a better photographer,” the young prodigy shared with Hindustan Times.
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