The wilderness can be unforgiving, but it does not discriminate. It has been watching us, those who came before us, and those who will come after us. It is a quiet observer; it does not interfere but penalizes those who do. Even after we have razed acres of forest, the wilderness finds a way to thrive in unexpected places—through cracked concrete, tar, brick, or steel. Only a handful care to understand its significance—and those who do—they go against the norm to preserve it. After all, a patch of land and some rain is all we need. Among those championing the preservation of the wild is Mital Patel, a wildlife photographer whose life changed in 2017 during a trip to Africa. “Standing amongst vast landscapes and observing majestic wildlife connected me to something profound,” he tells us. “It’s truly special to stand in landscapes that so few have had the privilege to experience firsthand.”
All images are by Mital Patel, used with permission. For more, visit his website or his Instagram @mitalpatelphoto.
Capturing a Slice of Serenity
Winner of the Heard Nature Museum and YPO Photographer of the Year, Patel’s tryst with photography began at the age of 12. This passion began when his father, who was visiting India with his family, gave Patel a camera to document their journey. “That simple gift became the start of something much bigger. From that point on, I rarely went anywhere without a camera, capturing family moments filled with joy, connection, and meaning,” he explains. Today, with his vast spanning career, Patel continuously turns his lens on the natural world and portrays its beauty and importance through his majestic photographs. “I’m always drawn to the more remote corners of the world, places that remain untouched and raw, the very places we need to protect,” he explains.
Patel’s images glimpse places that have remained untouched by rapid urban development. From the ancient gathering tree in Africa to the oozing volcano in Iceland and the stunning glaciers of Chile, each image is so exquisite that it leaves viewers wanting more. For many of us who grew up in urban apartments and faced challenging work environments, experiencing what Patel sees for a few moments feels like a dream come true. When asked how he photographs these well-timed images, Patels shares: “I spend a lot of time researching each location. I dive into the weather patterns, the light conditions, and the rhythms of sunrise and sunset to ensure they align with the vision I want to create.”
My goal is to capture the landscape authentically, without imposing or disrupting it. This means leaving out anything that feels unnatural or detracts from the scene’s purity.
Mital Patel
Upon finally arriving at the place he wishes to document, Mital Patel waits for the dramatic moment when the light allows the textures to come alive. “Patience is everything—it’s about letting the scene reveal itself,” he shares. But it is not only about patience; the key here is to narrate a story of a place to people who have probably never been there. As Patel says, “Each composition starts with an emotional connection.” Had Patel not felt so deeply, perhaps the images would not have done justice to the places.
As the photographer said, he works extensively to capture a shot that we can hang in our homes or set as wallpapers. Mital Patel employs Nikon Z9 and Z8 to achieve these portraits, along with 14-24mm f2.8, 70-200mm f2.8, and 400mm f2.8 lenses. With the wider shot, Patel captures the essence of the place, while with the telephoto, he hopes to “create more intimate moments with the animals.” As far as editing is concerned, the photographer chooses to focus on the mood and authenticity of the image. “My approach to editing is focused on highlighting the natural elements of the scene while guiding the viewer’s eye through the photograph the way I want them to experience it,” he explains. This means he may work to improve light and shadows, contrast, and color tones that will refine the narrative he has captured.
Conservation Through Art
While we appreciate the captivating moments in the wild, we must also look beyond its beauty and see the message: to preserve the very thing that has enabled humanity to thrive. “My photography is an invitation to pause, reflect, and appreciate the intricacies of these wild spaces. Each image serves as a reminder of what we stand to lose, but also of what we still have the power to protect,” says Patel.
It’s about creating a visual journey that feels as immersive and impactful as the moment itself.
Mital Patel
Given the increasing frequency of natural disasters and the indifference of many capitalists towards this issue, it is crucial to create more visuals that challenge the widespread lack of appreciation for nature. This is where photography, Patel feels, will play a significant role in the long run. “Powerful images can bring these urgent matters to the forefront, creating awareness and sparking important conversations,” he opines. However, it may not be enough due to another reason. “True change will require collective effort—more people, more voices, and more action to close the gap between awareness and impact,” he adds.
Just like the wild is being threatened by human interference, photography, too, faces peril from the rise of artificially generated images. While many have gradually begun to pivot to the latter, Patel states that there is a key difference between the two, which people fail to see. “A photograph represents a moment lived, a connection made, and an emotion felt. It’s shaped by the photographer’s choices—the framing, the patience to capture the perfect light, and the personal experiences that inform the shot. AI images, while sometimes visually stunning, lack that lived experience,” he explains. While AI blurs the lines between art and content, Patel’s visuals consistently remind us that some things can never replace the works created from human inputs. “While AI can generate visually compelling images,” he says “Photography carries the weight of a human perspective, and that’s something no algorithm can replicate.”
AUTHENTICITY STATEMENT
The Phoblographer works with human photographers to verify that they’ve actually created their work through shoots. These are done by providing us assets such as BTS captures, screenshots of post-production, extra photos from the shoot, etc. We do this to help our readers realize that this is authentically human work. Here’s what this photographer provided for us.
