Cover image via Tinesh Sritharan (Provided to SAYS)
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While many of us only watch the wild from a screen, Tinesh Sritharan is preparing to live one
Earlier this year, the Kuala Lumpur-based photographer was selected as one of National Geographic's Explorers, a title not handed out lightly.
It means he's now officially part of a global community of scientists, storytellers, and change-makers.
"It was a surreal moment — equal parts gratitude, disbelief, and deep responsibility.
"My first thought was of the many untold stories waiting to be captured — especially from regions and communities that are often overlooked," he shared with SAYS.
Tinesh is trading in city traffic for 10 days at Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve, one of the most iconic wildlife reserves on Earth
But he's not there to shoot a Nat Geo postcard.
"Being in the Maasai Mara isn't just about capturing wildlife. It's about witnessing a living, breathing story of nature in its rawest form," he shared.
He describes the trip as both a dream and a responsibility. One he's taking seriously; so seriously, in fact, that he's bringing something you wouldn't expect: a journal.
"It has nothing to do with photography, but everything to do with presence. In a place as powerful as the Mara, I want to take time each day to reflect on what I see, feel, and learn," he explained.
When it comes to the Maasai Mara, most people think of stampedes, epic predator-prey chases, or David Attenborough narrating in the background
But Tinesh is drawn to the stillness between the chaos.
"While most focus on the big scenes, I want to spotlight the emotional undertones of survival. The quiet stuff — like the exhaustion in a wildebeest's eyes, the tense stillness before a lioness strikes, and the eerie silence after a kill," he said.
To him, it's these in-between moments that reveal the vulnerability and resilience of nature.
In a world buzzing with doomscrolling and distractions, Tinesh's approach is intentionally slow
"It forces me to observe, to connect. A single frame — when composed with intent — can be more powerful than a thousand moving ones," he added.
That's why you won't find him online 24/7. He's been low-key on social media by choice. It's not about the likes; it's about the story.
But when the time feels right, he will be sharing parts of his journey, including behind-the-scenes moments and personal reflections, on his Instagram profile, @stineshinarw.
Despite nearly a decade of experience, Tinesh says his boldest adventures are still ahead
He's always approached nature with respect, never chasing viral moments, but waiting for something real to unfold.
"Honestly, nothing wild just yet… but with the Maasai Mara ahead, I have a feeling that's about to change This journey isn't just about photography. It's about storytelling, conservation, and connection," he shared.
Tinesh will be leaving for Kenya on 10 August.
And if his work moves even one person to care more deeply — about wildlife, about the planet, or even about slowing down — then, as he said, he's done his job.
