A Thought on Ethics

What is that makes us wake up early in the morning with camera in hand and head out into the wild places of Africa?

To me there is no doubt that wildlife photography is a way to show the beauty of nature and, hopefully, create an awareness of Africa’s natural heritage.  And, of course, it’s great fun as well!  Sounds simple enough but a recent blog post by Shem Compion called “Wildlife Photography:  a question of ethics” made for interesting reading but also raises a very valid point.

The short version of Shem’s blog post (which you can read by clicking here) is this – wildlife images that get created by photographing baited or lured animals should be disclosed and separated, or at the very least be recognized as such when it comes to photographic competitions.  Surely this is not too much to ask for and I echo this sentiment 100%.

The idea of someone baiting / luring an animal, photographing it and presenting it as a true wildlife image without disclosing all the information is not just highly unethical but it is also creating a false reality for people who not only expect to see these amazing sightings around every corner when they visit African game reserves but it also creates the perception that nature is not as fragile, as vulnerable, as what it really is.  If, as Shem mentions in his post, it was easy to photograph animals such as the Amur Leopard or Bearded Vulture everybody would have images of these endangered animals which would in turn create a false reality of a definite future.  Something which is unfortunately not the case.

Wildlife photography, apart from the technical requirements, demands patience.  You need to be willing to do the time if you expect to walk away with beautiful images of amazing animals.  Even if you find an animal out in the field, photographically it just might not work so you have to wait.  At this point the lines between natural and induced behavior can also be blurred.  Unfortunately some people, when an animal does not want to perform, will try and incite and elephant to charge or a lion to bare it’s teeth and growl all in order to get an action shot.  Yes, it actually happens.  There are people, some of them guides, who will influence an animal’s behavior in order for them to get the shot.   Again, not ethical and very sad but it happens.

Wildlife photography, and game viewing in general is about photographing and viewing animals doing what they do naturally.  Well, that’s what I think anyway.  The moment you come to close, or heaven forbid incite behavior, you have crossed the line from being an observer to unnaturally influencing the subject you are attempting to photograph.  Not good.  Not ethical.  But I digress…

I agree completely with Shem about transparency in wildlife photography competitions.  If you are going to photograph an animal that has been lured or baited say so.  By all means, get the best possible image you can but be honest about how you captured the image.  From a photography competition point of view people will then be able to judge your photographic abilities fairly.  Is that not the point?

At this juncture one could also look at the processing / editing of wildlife images.  Whole different discussion but same principle applies.  Be transparent.  I for one have a fascination with black and white wildlife photography.  It is a different way in which to showcase nature and pretty obvious to the viewer that it has been edited to achieve a certain look.  When you start removing and adding elements in the image you start blurring the lines and this is what you should be open and honest about.  Check out this post or this one for more info but  again, I digress… (Happens often…)

Wildlife photography is challenging and at times can be extremely frustrating but there in lies the attraction.  True, not everybody has the opportunity to spend huge amount of time in nature photographing Africa’s Big 5 and other large mammals but that, in my mind, should only make you want to return time and time again to try and get the shot.  I am lucky enough to see and photograph nature on an almost daily basis and I still don’t have all the shots.

To combine my passion for nature and photography, at some time in the not too distant future I will start doing workshops and specialist photographic safaris.  I get to go out in nature everyday but will be adding these workshops and safaris to focus purely on wildlife photography – naturally!  In the meantime, check out Shem’s photographic courses and workshops and give yourself the opportunity to go and photography wildlife with a professional.  Time allowing, I might see you there!

For the record, every single image on the Photo-Africa Stock Library and this blog has been captured in the wild.  No baiting and no luring of animals.  All natural.  The image of the young leopard cub was also shot in the wild in the Madikwe Game Reserve.  We were lucky enough to spot her from a distance and approached very, very slowly.  Patience, passion and a bit of luck.  Remember this when you next head out into the bush.

Look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Gerry