Wildlife Photography Tips

As a Canadian Wildlife Photographer ethics are an essential part of Nature Photography.
While it is easy to get excited about an opportunity to photograph wildlife... it is important to remember some basic rules of ethics and respect.

1. Give them Space

While it is normal to desire that "perfect shot close up" it is important to not encroach upon the animal's space. Ethical Wildlife Photographers show great respect for their subject its environment. They realize when the animal displays signs of stress or threat they become responsible for that animals well being. At the first sign of dis-ease or discomfort....it is time to back off. Give the animal space.
Shooting with a long lens and/or blind has less impact and permits the photographer to photograph the subject with less chance of human disturbance to nature and wildlife. Blinds permit the photographer to get capture better images. This allows animals to be more at ease and you will be able to photograph their natural behaviors as they go about their days activities. These images are more natural and pleasing. Animals live very busy lives, they spend most of their day seeking ways to survive, when we disrupt this natural order it threatens their survival.



2. Understand Animal Behavior

Understanding wildlife behavior and the natural behavior of your subject is important to your safety and the animals well being and existence. When we understand the species we are photographing we have a better understanding of the animals needs and we in turn get better images knowing what to anticipate. 


3. Baiting Wildlife for Photography

Baiting wildlife usually falls under the unethical wildlife photography category.When we bait wildlife for our own personal gain or pleasure it causes them to rely on humans for food. This creates one of the greatest threats to their survival. Most attacks on humans each year are the results of wildlife expecting and connecting humans to food. They are just doing what we have taught them to do... not fear and approach humans. Those that become reliant on humans for food often get hit by cars, trapped or hunted as a result of trusting humans. When we make food sources easily available it disrupts their natural behaviors and increases the risk of starvation. Baiting wildlife inevitably leads to conflict between humans and wildlife.
Remember use of sound equipment and calls is often considered a form of baiting wildlife and can have an impact on their ability to carry out their daily activities. 

4. Environmental Impact

An ethical nature and wildlife photographer makes every effort to lessen their impact on both the environment and wildlife. Sitting in an idling car creates pollution in the environment and threatens wildlife. If it's cold, dress warm and turn off the engine! It is best to apply the philosophy "take only photos, leave only footsteps" but be aware of where you step.....is it damaging nature and the environment the animals depend on for breeding, shelter, protection or food?
 

5.  Posting Wildlife Sightings on the Internet

Approach this cautiously and responsibly. Will your posting cause people (who might be less ethical than yourself) to flock to a wildlife sighting location to view, photograph or disrupt wildlife and the environment? Could the person who posted the first Great Gray Owl Sighting near Leamington Ontario know that over a few short weeks thousands of people would be swarm the area... causing damage to vegetation, creating unsafe driving hazards and increasing a threat to the owl itself? When the owl eventually (disappeared) what was left behind was the impact of humans on the environment including leave litter and resentment from the locals. One local woman told me she was fed up and her husband was going to trap the owl. It was never seen since!

The internet is a powerful tool... use it wisely and with an environmental conscious.. Perhaps if we don't post exact locations but provide contact information where people can inquire people will think twice.


The following article was written and copyright by
Professional Canadian Wildlife Photographer Shelley Myke

Shelley's images can be viewed on her website at wwww.inspirednatureprints.com