ROARING IMAGES

National Geographic photographer to be at Playhouse Square with ‘On the Trail of Big Cats’

Steve Winter knew at age 8 he wanted to become a National Geographic photographer. ¶ The Indiana native was intrigued by exotic people in exotic lands. Little did he know at the time he would one day fulfill his dream, becoming an award-winning photographer known for capturing big cats around the globe.

“I was looking at people and thinking about walking down these dusty roads in these remote villages and meeting exotic cultures,” said Winter, calling from Hoboken, New Jersey. “I was interested in people who have things in their lips or rings around their neck. You know, photos you’d see in National Geographic.

“But not in a million years did I think I’d do wildlife. It never entered my life. The only thing I saw growing up were pigs and cows. I never thought about going on safari or taking pictures of animals.”

Winter, who started out as a photojournalist, landed by accident landed in the world of big cats. While he began shooting for National Geographic more than a quarter of a century ago, it was in the mid-90 on his first animal story photographing quetzals in Guatemala that a life-changing event took place.

While curiosity may have killed the cat, it also ended up putting Winter on a different career path.

“I was staying in on top of a mountain in a cloud forest in Central America when a big cat actually came to the door of the oneroom shack,” Winter said. “It scared me to death. That’s why I always say, I didn’t choose big cats, big cats chose me.

“These cats are curious. They won’t hurt you. Although I’m scared to death at least one time on every story I do, I’ve never been attacked.”

That cat was a panther. His subsequent journeys included visiting India’s Himalaya in search of rare snow leopards to stalking the elusive jaguar through Latin American jungles.

Winter even turned his attention stateside; he chronicled the nocturnal activities of the cougar. Each of his adventures now becomes a special on cable channel Nat Geo Wild.

One of Winter’s snow leopard images won him the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year award. He also released National Geographic book “Tigers Forever,” which was co-authored with Sharon Guynup.

“I’m just trying to take different images that people haven’t seen before,” Winter said. “The idea is to wrap that around conservation and ways to help local people who live with these predators. I’m not just taking pictures of them, but I’m helping in a way to be sure that these cats have a future.”

When Winter isn’t on assignment, he tours “On the Trail of Big Cats,” which makes its Cleveland debut Nov. 7 at Playhouse Square’s Ohio Theatre. The photographer said he programs the show with a simple rule in mind.

“Because I get to speak directly to people in communities like where I grew up in the Midwest, I always say if I wasn’t on stage, I’d be in the audience,” Winter said. “I think if you look at it that way, you’re going to put on a great show.

“I hope audiences come away with hope for the future and a better understanding of these big cats and what it’s like to do a story for the National Geographic.”

“Not in a million years did I think I’d do wildlife. It never entered my life. The only thing I saw growing up were pigs and cows. I never thought about going on safari or taking pictures of animals.” — Steve Winter, National Geographic photographer

This male tiger killed a cow near a village outside India’s Bandhavgarh National Park before Steve Winter photographed it.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF STEVE WINTER National Geographic photographer Steve Winter photographed this tiger mother and cub in Bandhavgarh National Park in India.

Steve Winter captured this image of a snow leopard on Kharlung Ridge in India.

COURTESY OF STEVE WINTER National Geographic photographer Steve Winter photographed for these Mirchani Tigress cubs at the Patpara Nala waterhole in India.