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Wildlife Photography Ethics

Wildlife photography "Code Of Ethics" are guidelines suggested by numerous nature organizations focused on the simple concept of protecting wildlife, habitat and humans. Photographers are expected to act in an responsible manner and apply these simple principles when photographing wildlife. Creating awareness for these often overlooked and ignored principles is essential in the future conservation of wildlife. 

General Rule – If an animal bluff charges you, you are to close. A bluff charge means the animal is stressed with you being in their space. Animals are very unpredictable and will attack if they feel threatened, even more so if accompanied by offspring. Many animals seem timid, but can be setoff by anything. I once watched a moose charge a parked car on the side of Route 112 for no apparent reason. Was the moose threatened by the car?

A important principle of the ethics code is the use of long lenses. Most photographers suggest nothing shorter than a 300 MM lens and I agree. Using a long lens keeps you a safe distance and allows wildlife to act in a undisturbed natural manner (what you want). Getting as close as possible is unethical and puts both wildlife and photographer at risk. There is no such thing as a bear, moose, or zebra whisperer, only people who have no respect for wildlife. The main concern should always be the animal’s well being, not getting the shot.

Stressing animals to get a shot is considered a unacceptable practice amongst conservation, nature and wildlife organizations. Unfortunately, some photographers live by the AAC (At All Costs) motto when pursuing wildlife. You really have to question the motive of these photographers, since their actions don’t help in the protection of wildlife? 

Links to checkout:
1) Nature Photographer’s Ethics Code
2) North American Nature Photography Association – Ethical Field Practices
3) Digicamhelp.com Wildlife Ethics Page 
4) DiscoverWildlife.com Ethics In Wildlife Photography
5) Wildlife Watching in New Hampshire
6) Along with wildlife ethics is the "Truth In Captioning" statement. 

If wildlife photography is your thing, do some reading on wildlife photography ethics. Being a responsible photographer helps in the conservation of wildlife.

Happy image making…

This entry was posted on Saturday, May 1st, 2010 at 6:42 pm. It is filed under Nature Photography Ethics and tagged with conservation, Ethical Field Practices, moose, national forest, nature photography, Nature Photography Ethics, new england, new hampshire, osprey, photography, Truth In Captioning, white mountains, wildlife, Wildlife Ethics Code, Wildlife Paparazzi, wildlife photography. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.