Sony Alpha Ambassador Sapna Reddy (@sapnareddy) is a landscape and nature photographer based in Northern California who pursued a dual career as a physician and a photographer before transitioning to a full time professional photographer in June 2024. “My efforts were directed toward creating images that were primarily displayed in medical/hospital settings to create an ambiance of healing and well-being," she says. "With a deep rooted interest in teaching I have been conducting landscape photography workshops across the world for the past several years." Currently many of Reddy's images are sold in countries around the world and proceeds from the sales are directed to charity. As a landscape photographer Reddy is often hiking to the locations where she intends to photograph. "In those situations, having an ergonomic bag and reliable, high quality, lightweight gear becomes essential,” she says. We caught up with Reddy to learn more about the gear she uses to capture healing nature scenes.

Product Preview – In This Article You’ll Find:
–Sony Alpha 7R V
–Sony Alpha 1
–Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master
–Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master
–Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-6.5 G Master

Cameras

Sony Alpha 7R V: This camera is an obvious choice for my work for many reasons. Its lightweight design and excellent weather sealing is crucial for shooting in extreme weather conditions. It has auto focus bracketing and focus breathing compensation that makes it easy to shoot scenes with a large depth of field. The 4-axis flip screen makes it possible to shoot with varying perspectives. It also has a long lasting battery life which is extremely useful on backpacking expeditions in the outdoors. Add in the versatile high dynamic range capability and AI-assisted auto focusing and I’m able to create incredibly high-resolution images for large-sized prints.

Capturing a dancing aurora in Lapland was extremely rewarding especially when being able to incorporate a human element to showcase the grandiose scale. The image below is testimony to the high resolution, low light sensitivity and the versatile dynamic range of the Sony Alpha 7R V.

Photo by Sapna Reddy. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 14mm f/1.8 G Master. 10-sec., f/1.8, ISO 2000

Sony Alpha 1: The Sony Alpha 1 has been my primary choice when simultaneously shooting wildlife and landscapes. It has an enhanced focusing ability including Animal Eye AF and fast action captures with burst at 30 fps which is great for wildlife. The lightweight design, high resolution and 8k video capability make it a must-have in my kit.

The dappled light during a clearing storm over the majestic Himalayas in this image was truly dramatic. I felt a panorama would be ideal to showcase the beauty  of this landscape and the high resolution of the Sony Alpha 1 retained the details of the grand landscape. 

Photo by Sapna Reddy. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master. 1/400-sec., f/10, ISO 100

Lenses

Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master: The wide angle lens is an essential piece of equipment for a landscape photographer. This perspective offers the advantage of adding expansiveness to tight spaces, enhances foreground details, accentuates size of foreground elements and helps to add depth to the image. It is also extremely useful when photographing the night sky.

In this winter scene below of Yosemite the snow covered mounds offer a beautiful foreground against the backdrop of the mountains. The wide angle perspective from the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master adds depth to the scene while preserving detail.

Photo by Sapna Reddy. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/40-sec., f/16, ISO 100

When working in tight spaces such as this small room in the photo below taken in the abandoned desert town of Kolmanskoppe in Namibia, using a wide angle lens like the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master conveys a sense of expansive space and depth to the frame.

Photo by Sapna Reddy. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master. 4-sec., f/22, ISO 100

Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master: As a landscape photographer you are often standing before grand scenes and this mid range lens is ideal to direct attention to specific visual elements within the grand scene. It is useful to simplify compositions, reduce distractions and still maintain a sense of the wider space.

In this aerial photograph below of the Skeleton coast of Namibia the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master lens retains a sense of the wide expanse with beautiful repeating patterns of the dunes while simultaneously drawing attention to the solitary car which conveys a strong sense of scale to the scene. 

Photo by Sapna Reddy. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/12800-sec., f/8, ISO 1250

The medium range of the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master makes it possible to isolate visual elements and bring out the details of a particular subject. The tighter composition focuses attention on the subject portrayed.

Photo by Sapna Reddy. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/10-sec., f/9.5, ISO 500

Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-6.5 G Master: The tele lens is my favorite as it helps to draw attention to details that may be otherwise overlooked. Abstract images that bring attention to tonality and geometry are especially favored with this lens.

Photo by Sapna Reddy. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master. 1/500-sec., f/7.1, ISO 100

The Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-6.5 G Master is also extremely useful when photographing wildlife as the subjects being photographed are at a significant distance, undeterred by the presence of the photographer making it possible to capture their natural behavior.

Photo by Sapna Reddy. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master. 1/1500-sec., f/6.7, ISO 1000

Accessories

Extra Batteries & Extra Memory Cards: It’s always important to have extra storage.

Head Lamp: So I can safely see when walking outdoors in the dark.

Lens Cloths & Rocket Blower: To capture a clear image, I have to keep my lenses clean while outside.

Rain Cover For Camera & Bag: To protect my gear if I run into bad weather.

Filters: If I need to tame the sunlight I’ll use a filter to balance my exposure.

Wrench: I bring this in case a filter gets stuck to my lens.

Photo by Sapna Reddy. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/500-sec., f/16, ISO 100

Phone Holder: I bring something to hold my phone to shoot BTS videos for social media.

Tripod: If I want to shoot long exposures of water, having my tripod is a must.

Sunscreen: For skin protection from the sun.

Blister Pads & Bandages: Always a good idea to have these when walking out in nature.

See more of Sapna Reddy’s work on her Alpha Universe Profile and on Instagram @sapnareddy.