10-year-old from Jalandhar wins 'Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year' award

Ten-year-old Arshdeep Singh from Jalandhar has won the Junior Asian Wildlife Photographer award, in the 10-years-and-under category. It was his candid snap of an owlet popping out of a waste-pipe that clinched the title.

The photograph ‘Pipe Owl’ earned him much applause at the award ceremony held at the Natural History Museum, London, on Tuesday.

Hailing from Jalandhar, Arshdeep was on a drive with his father when he came across the perfect frame. The shot was taken on the outskirts of Kapurthala city, Punjab, according to Hindustan Times.

Arshdeep said,

“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. The owls were looking straight into my eyes. I felt like each one of them wanted to say to me- I see you!”

He used a shallow depth of field to isolate them from the building behind. Later he created a characterful portrait of a species that has adapted to urban life, The Telegraph reports.

Born to a photographer, framing one’s shot was a lesson Arshdeep learnt when he was but six years old.

His passion has been well received by various international media houses. For instance, his work was published in Lonely Planet UK, Germany and India, and BBC Wildlife UK, according to The Indian Express.

The junior winners were clubbed under three categories: 10 years and under, 11-14 years, and 15-17 years.

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