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The Ethics of Wildlife Photography: Capturing Nature’s Beauty with Respect and Responsibility
The Ethics of Wildlife Photography: Capturing Nature’s Beauty with Respect and Responsibility
by Keenan Hursh
Wildlife photography is a magical art form that can capture the raw beauty and delicate balance of the natural world that surrounds us. In today’s society, so many of us are far removed from the earth’s wild places, living in cities and urban sprawls. This urbanization has created a much larger separation between our human-crafted environments and the world we all came from.
Because of this separation, wildlife photography is more important than ever before. It can be an invaluable tool for sharing stories and images of these often-threatened places with the masses and can shine a spotlight on the importance of said places and their inhabitants.
Being able to travel to and experience these wilderness areas is an absolute privilege that should never be taken for granted. And with this privilege comes a great responsibility to ensure that our pursuit of capturing breathtaking images does not compromise the well-being of the subjects or their delicate ecosystems.
So, it’s clear that wildlife photography has a very important role to play in the protection and conservation of our wilderness areas, but what are the best ways to go about photographing wildlife? What are the most responsible practices when it comes to ethically and respectfully capturing images of animals in their homes?
In this article, we’re going to dive into the ethics of wildlife photography, focusing on the importance of respecting wildlife and their habitats, and how photographers can ensure their actions align with these principles. Let’s get into it!
Because of this separation, wildlife photography is more important than ever before. It can be an invaluable tool for sharing stories and images of these often-threatened places with the masses and can shine a spotlight on the importance of said places and their inhabitants.
Being able to travel to and experience these wilderness areas is an absolute privilege that should never be taken for granted. And with this privilege comes a great responsibility to ensure that our pursuit of capturing breathtaking images does not compromise the well-being of the subjects or their delicate ecosystems.
So, it’s clear that wildlife photography has a very important role to play in the protection and conservation of our wilderness areas, but what are the best ways to go about photographing wildlife? What are the most responsible practices when it comes to ethically and respectfully capturing images of animals in their homes?
In this article, we’re going to dive into the ethics of wildlife photography, focusing on the importance of respecting wildlife and their habitats, and how photographers can ensure their actions align with these principles. Let’s get into it!
Do No Harm
One of the primary foundations of ethical wildlife photography lies in the principle of non-interference. The whole point of this art form is to capture images of these animals in their natural, unaltered, and realistic environments and habitats. Any sort of staged image really isn’t that wild at the end of the day and where’s the fun in that anyways? The whole allure of wildlife photography is the difficulty of capturing the essence of an undisturbed animal in its natural habitat.
It is absolutely essential to prioritize the well-being of the animals and avoid any actions that may cause harm, stress, or disturbance. This includes refraining from approaching too closely and touching or altering the environment for the sake of capturing a “good” photograph. Altering the environment or bothering an animal is bad but doing this to the extent that you may cause harm to the animal or the environment is downright unacceptable. As wildlife photographers, we need to respect our subjects first and foremost.
One of the primary foundations of ethical wildlife photography lies in the principle of non-interference. The whole point of this art form is to capture images of these animals in their natural, unaltered, and realistic environments and habitats. Any sort of staged image really isn’t that wild at the end of the day and where’s the fun in that anyways? The whole allure of wildlife photography is the difficulty of capturing the essence of an undisturbed animal in its natural habitat.
It is absolutely essential to prioritize the well-being of the animals and avoid any actions that may cause harm, stress, or disturbance. This includes refraining from approaching too closely and touching or altering the environment for the sake of capturing a “good” photograph. Altering the environment or bothering an animal is bad but doing this to the extent that you may cause harm to the animal or the environment is downright unacceptable. As wildlife photographers, we need to respect our subjects first and foremost.
Minimize Impact
To continue on that same point, not only is it important to prevent any harm but it’s also ideal to impact the scene before you as little as possible. If the animal is blatantly aware of your presence, it might run off before you get a chance to snap a good photo. Or they might be on edge and just stare directly at you without moving the entire time. This isn’t what you want. You want your subject to be completely comfortable and at home in the surrounding environment as this will create more opportunities to capture great images.
To achieve this, the best method is to simply keep your distance. The closer you are to a wild animal the less comfortable it will be. This is why having telephoto lenses with high focal lengths is an absolute must in wildlife photography. If you can fill your frame with a subject while maintaining an acceptable distance you’ll get better images.
To continue on that same point, not only is it important to prevent any harm but it’s also ideal to impact the scene before you as little as possible. If the animal is blatantly aware of your presence, it might run off before you get a chance to snap a good photo. Or they might be on edge and just stare directly at you without moving the entire time. This isn’t what you want. You want your subject to be completely comfortable and at home in the surrounding environment as this will create more opportunities to capture great images.
To achieve this, the best method is to simply keep your distance. The closer you are to a wild animal the less comfortable it will be. This is why having telephoto lenses with high focal lengths is an absolute must in wildlife photography. If you can fill your frame with a subject while maintaining an acceptable distance you’ll get better images.
Study and Understand Animal Behavior
One of the best ways to set yourself up for success and to properly respect any wildlife subject is to study them and have a good understanding of their behavior before you even step out your front door. You should know when they will be active, where they are likely to be, and as much information as you can to increase your odds of capturing a great photograph without disturbing them. This knowledge will enable you to anticipate where an animal might be and capture natural moments without causing distress.
And understanding animal behavior will help you recognize signs of stress, allowing you to adjust your approach accordingly. If you can tell that a moose or other potentially dangerous animal is stressed and uncomfortable with your presence you can slowly back away and prevent the animal from charging you or defending itself. This is a win-win situation as you’re both respecting your wildlife subjects while also maintaining your own safety.
One of the best ways to set yourself up for success and to properly respect any wildlife subject is to study them and have a good understanding of their behavior before you even step out your front door. You should know when they will be active, where they are likely to be, and as much information as you can to increase your odds of capturing a great photograph without disturbing them. This knowledge will enable you to anticipate where an animal might be and capture natural moments without causing distress.
And understanding animal behavior will help you recognize signs of stress, allowing you to adjust your approach accordingly. If you can tell that a moose or other potentially dangerous animal is stressed and uncomfortable with your presence you can slowly back away and prevent the animal from charging you or defending itself. This is a win-win situation as you’re both respecting your wildlife subjects while also maintaining your own safety.
Patience and Observation
Another critical element to both respecting wildlife subjects and capturing exceptional images is patience and observation. If you’re driving around a national park, for instance, and see an animal right off the road you might be tempted to get as close as possible with your car and then quickly jump out and start photographing it before it runs off. You might be able to get a decent photograph, but this often isn’t the case. It’s much more ideal to see an animal far off in the distance and study its movements and behavior. If it looks like it will head your way, then find a good vantage point and get set up. You’ll want to wait for this animal to naturally make its way toward you as opposed to chasing it down. This may take much more time but you’ll likely capture better images with a comfortable and natural looking subject.
Another critical element to both respecting wildlife subjects and capturing exceptional images is patience and observation. If you’re driving around a national park, for instance, and see an animal right off the road you might be tempted to get as close as possible with your car and then quickly jump out and start photographing it before it runs off. You might be able to get a decent photograph, but this often isn’t the case. It’s much more ideal to see an animal far off in the distance and study its movements and behavior. If it looks like it will head your way, then find a good vantage point and get set up. You’ll want to wait for this animal to naturally make its way toward you as opposed to chasing it down. This may take much more time but you’ll likely capture better images with a comfortable and natural looking subject.
Consider the Season and Habitat
Another important aspect to consider when photographing wildlife is the time of year and how that can impact an animal's behavior in its habitat. For instance, many animals behave very differently in the spring when they have new offspring. They are often much more protective and are more aware of any outside presence. If an animal is watching over its offspring it’s a good idea to allow even more distance between you and them. There are certain habitats that transform throughout the year as well. For instance, a popular nesting ground for migrating birds will be a much more delicate environment and you’ll have to take extra caution not to alter this environment. Bottom line, you should be aware of how the seasons or time of year could affect the ecosystem you’re in and the behavior of its inhabitants.
Another important aspect to consider when photographing wildlife is the time of year and how that can impact an animal's behavior in its habitat. For instance, many animals behave very differently in the spring when they have new offspring. They are often much more protective and are more aware of any outside presence. If an animal is watching over its offspring it’s a good idea to allow even more distance between you and them. There are certain habitats that transform throughout the year as well. For instance, a popular nesting ground for migrating birds will be a much more delicate environment and you’ll have to take extra caution not to alter this environment. Bottom line, you should be aware of how the seasons or time of year could affect the ecosystem you’re in and the behavior of its inhabitants.
Leave No Trace
This one should go without saying and applies to everyone enjoying nature, not just photographers, but we must leave a place exactly as we found it. The whole reason we’re visiting these places and photographing their inhabitants is the lack of human presence. To leave behind trash, or any man-made object is going against all of this, and over time if too many people are ignorant a natural place can be ruined.
As photographers, we’re obviously looking to fill up our memory cards and take away images but that’s all we should take. And we certainly shouldn’t leave anything in an ecosystem that wasn’t already there.
This one should go without saying and applies to everyone enjoying nature, not just photographers, but we must leave a place exactly as we found it. The whole reason we’re visiting these places and photographing their inhabitants is the lack of human presence. To leave behind trash, or any man-made object is going against all of this, and over time if too many people are ignorant a natural place can be ruined.
As photographers, we’re obviously looking to fill up our memory cards and take away images but that’s all we should take. And we certainly shouldn’t leave anything in an ecosystem that wasn’t already there.
Respect Protected Areas and Guidelines
Another thing that’s worth noting is that certain wildlife areas have different levels of protection and access. For instance, I was recently in Grand Teton National Park, and several popular roads and trails were closed for grizzly bears as they emerge from hibernation. This is to protect both the bears and any people in the area.
Photographers must familiarize themselves with the rules and regulations set by local authorities and conservation organizations. Protected areas often have specific guidelines regarding photography, including restricted zones and limitations on approach distances. Adhering to these guidelines is essential to preserve the integrity of wildlife habitats and minimize human impact.
Another thing that’s worth noting is that certain wildlife areas have different levels of protection and access. For instance, I was recently in Grand Teton National Park, and several popular roads and trails were closed for grizzly bears as they emerge from hibernation. This is to protect both the bears and any people in the area.
Photographers must familiarize themselves with the rules and regulations set by local authorities and conservation organizations. Protected areas often have specific guidelines regarding photography, including restricted zones and limitations on approach distances. Adhering to these guidelines is essential to preserve the integrity of wildlife habitats and minimize human impact.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, this is all quite simple, and I think that a very large majority of wildlife photographers far and wide already take all of this information into account and deeply respect their subjects. That being said, it never hurts to refresh yourself on this information to keep it in the back of your head.
As wildlife photographers, we’re passionate about all of the extraordinary and wild places across our planet and care about the animals that live there. At the very least we can respect these places and animals and acknowledge that we are simply guests in their home. I’d rather walk away with a sub-par image knowing I respected my subject than a great image knowing I frightened or potentially harmed an animal or the environment.
If you want to learn more about this topic and see some examples of photographers who violated these practices, then check out this article!
Let’s all continue to play our part, do the right thing, and continue to enjoy the great outdoors and wild places we love so much. Until next time!
At the end of the day, this is all quite simple, and I think that a very large majority of wildlife photographers far and wide already take all of this information into account and deeply respect their subjects. That being said, it never hurts to refresh yourself on this information to keep it in the back of your head.
As wildlife photographers, we’re passionate about all of the extraordinary and wild places across our planet and care about the animals that live there. At the very least we can respect these places and animals and acknowledge that we are simply guests in their home. I’d rather walk away with a sub-par image knowing I respected my subject than a great image knowing I frightened or potentially harmed an animal or the environment.
If you want to learn more about this topic and see some examples of photographers who violated these practices, then check out this article!
Let’s all continue to play our part, do the right thing, and continue to enjoy the great outdoors and wild places we love so much. Until next time!
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AUTHOR
AUTHOR
Keenan Hursh is a Photographer, visual designer, and creative story teller based out of Bozeman, Montana. He draws inspiration from his frequent excursions into the natural world and always brings his camera along to capture whatever adventures he finds himself in. Keenan is passionate about documenting and sharing fleeting moments from the natural world and focuses primarily on wildlife, landscape, and adventure photography.
When it comes to gear, he primarily shoots digital with his Canon EOS R5 and EOS 6D mark ii but also has several 35mm film cameras that get out every now and then.
At a very young age, Keenan started bringing a camera along on his excursions and immediately fell in love with the art of photography. He started out with his parent’s cheap point and shoot and has continuously improved his craft and gear refining his shooting style and producing more compelling and intriguing images.
Growing up in the foothills of Boulder, Colorado, surrounded by mountains and wilderness, Keenan has developed a deep passion for many outdoor activities. When he’s not out on a shoot or using his camera, Keenan enjoys skiing, climbing, hiking, backpacking, cycling, whitewater rafting, and paragliding. If he’s outside, away from the distractions of society and civilization, he’s in his happy place.
Keenan studied Emergent Digital Practices at the University of Denver while minoring in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. Since earning his degree in 2019 he was worked with a wide range of clients, companies, and organizations throughout his career. Apart from photography he specializes in content creation, writing, brand development, and graphic design.
You can view Keenan’s portfolio on his website at www.keenanhurshphoto.com
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"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLC - Copyright 2024
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Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.