23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
Breath of Motion

In the heart of Bandhavgarh National Park, India, I finally encountered a Bengal tiger passing close to our vehicle—a fleeting moment of raw power and presence. To express the energy of her movement and the intensity of her breath, I used a slow shutter speed (1/20 sec). This approach allowed me to blur the background while preserving the tiger's form, conveying her grace and urgency in a single frame.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 05.2025
Date Uploaded: 12.2025
Photo Location: Bandhavgarh, India
Camera: NIKON Z 9
Copyright: © Yoshiki Nakamura