Respecting wildlife while in the outdoors.
Growing up in Canada, there was more than one occasion where I’d be out for a walk with my dog and stumble upon a bear, be out in the canoe with my Dad and come across a moose or a beaver [I know, how Canadian eh?], start the morning with the sound of a woodpecker in a nearby tree… I can still picture those moments, and I am grateful for each and every interaction.
There is something incredibly special about getting to experience wildlife in their natural habitat.
As a wildlife photographer, there is nothing quite like creating an image with these animals. But… While a lot of us have a deep-seated passion for wildlife conservation and protection, unfortunately, that’s not the case for everyone. On any given day, you can see animals being exploited splashed across social media.
When you go into an area with your camera, you are choosing to go into that animal’s space, and therefore need to show respect and avoid interfering at all costs. Here are just a few tips to help ensure that you’re keeping animals safety at the front of your mind while they’re in front of your camera.
Keep Your Distance |
Unfortunately, I’ve had to witness far too many cases of people getting too close to wildlife; attempting to pet or pose right next to a resting kangaroo, feeding deer by hand, teasing a monkey with a water bottle, during a trip home to Canada I even watched as a couple placed their small child on the other side of a barrier so that they could get him as close to a young bear as possible for a picture. Please, if you ever experience this behavior, speak up and tell them that what they’re doing is inappropriate [not to mention, incredibly dangerous].
Animals are unpredictable, you have no idea how they will react as they become increasingly stressed and irritable. Please, show them respect.
If you are out with your camera and your intention is to photograph wildlife, bring the longest lens you have available [or hire if you’re going on a special trip!] and be prepared to crop where necessary.
Do Not Feed |
It may seem like common sense, but I have seen it more than once. It isn’t natural for animals to be fed by humans, they know how to feed themselves, not to mention you have no idea the harm it could do to their digestive systems. So regardless of the photo opportunity you think you’re creating, please avoid feeding the wildlife. Allow them to naturally make their way and simply try to be in the best spot possible when it happens. That’s when the true magic happens!
Be Invisible |
Place yourself at a distance, blend in to your surroundings, and stay as quiet as you possibly can. Please, please don’t shout at, throw things at, shine lights at, chase, or any other inappropriate behavior to try and get an animal’s attention. You are visiting their space, so simply watch and wait! There will be plenty of opportunity for you to be able to snap some images, and better yet, it will be a completely natural, undisturbed moment that you capture.
Don’t Use Flash |
As you can imagine, nocturnal animals can be very sensitive to light. Using flash could certainly cause them to panic, become vulnerable to predators, or in some cases momentarily lose their vision. If you happen to be photographing at night, you can try to push your exposure [not always a great solution for wildlife photography] or use a soft light to illuminate a large area but never directly at the animal you’re trying to photograph.
Night photography is tricky, but it’s important to respect the animals you’re photographing, regardless of the time of day.
At the end of the day, we all love photography for a myriad of reasons, it is so incredibly important that allow wildlife to be just that, wild. It’s not about getting the shot, allow them to feel safe by giving space, and remembering that we are simply guests in their environment!
