Exploring human conflict and animal peace through art at Xposure 2025

Photo : Sharjah Govt Media Bureau

Humanitarian aid worker and photographer Nitin Madhav shared his special experiences of working with both people and animals at the 9th annual International Photography Festival (Xposure) in Sharjah on Tuesday. He spoke about how his photography helps bring peace and support wildlife conservation. The session, called “Finding Balance: Humanitarian Aid and Serenity of Nature,” was hosted by photography expert Lars Boering.

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Madhav’s life story is truly inspiring. In 1997, he lost his leg during a rebel attack in Rwanda, where three of his colleagues were also killed. Despite this tragedy, Madhav found peace in nature. He’s spent years working in places like Afghanistan and Rwanda, helping people after disasters, but photography gave him a way to connect with the calm of the animal world. He shared his amazing stories of being touched by mountain gorillas in Uganda and elephants in Kenya’s Amboseli National Park. These moments helped him heal from his own painful memories.

Madhav works with USAID and has helped many communities, including young girls in Afghanistan, to get an education and rebuild their lives after war. He has been in the field for over 30 years, and his photographs are full of respect for the people and animals he captures.

As a photographer, Madhav believes it’s important to be kind and respectful. He always gets permission before taking a photo, especially in cultures where privacy is important. He explained that he first builds trust with people before asking to take their picture. His photos focus on the eyes, showing the deep connection he feels with both humans and animals.

Madhav’s love for wildlife photography started during the pandemic. He spent a month in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park taking pictures of lions. Soon, people started buying his photos, and one of them even sold for $13,000. The money he makes from his wildlife photos helps support the conservation of endangered animals like cheetahs, elephants, lions, and rhinos.

One of the most memorable moments in Madhav’s career was when he decided to photograph gorillas in Uganda, even though he was nervous after his injury. He spent six hours trekking through the jungle and finally met a gorilla named Rokundo. This experience gave him a special connection with nature, and the photos he took are now part of the Xposure exhibition. Madhav is planning to photograph gorillas in Cameroon next.

Madhav feels a strong connection with animals, and he believes they can understand each other. He recalls his moments with Craig, the elephant, in Amboseli and a lion in Serengeti, which made him feel even closer to the animal kingdom.

The Xposure 2025 festival in Sharjah will continue until February 26. Madhav’s work shows how helping people and protecting nature can go hand in hand. His photographs remind us of the importance of both human kindness and wildlife conservation. To learn more about the festival, visit Xposure’s website.