Are You An Ethical Wildlife Photographer?

[@C4PhotoSafaris]

Do you see yourself as an ethical wildlife photographer? If so, why?

[@joncothranphotography9375]

I do consider myself as an ethical wildlife photographer. I make sure that I don't disturb the animals as well as leaving the area clean, picking up trash and carrying it out with me. Thank you for your wonderful videos and teaching of others to be more responsible.

[@C4PhotoSafaris]

@@joncothranphotography9375 Thank you. Beinf a nature lover comes with great care and concern for our environment. After all, its our children who will inherit it.

[@debrahernandez-moreno5099]

😊😊😊😊​@@joncothranphotography9375

[@love4wildlife]

More so than ever, this is such an incredibly important topic. If you ask a wildlife photographer if they’re ‘ethical’, I doubt anyone will say no. Sadly the definition can be flexed far too much. For me, ethics is, in part, defined by what you do when no one is looking. It can be tough to walk away from a potential shot but it simply must be done at times. During my last trip to the Mara, I too encountered the scene of 25 vehicles at a leopard sighting. We got out of there. The leopard was clearly distracted by all the attention. Of course I’ve made mistakes over the years but I truly try to learn from those mistakes. Surely, as wildlife photographers, our primary purpose must be that of wildlife ambassadors. Great video.

[@C4PhotoSafaris]

I agree wholeheartedly on your comment about "when no one is looking". Even in those moments it is better for everyone if you leave a scene without an image and the animals/s undisturbed. Afterall, if there is no one there, then there is no one to see that you missed the shot. Shem

[@HenryNewbury]

❤❤

[@digitaliq3827]

Brilliant. Really insightful.

[@C4PhotoSafaris]

Thank you. Shem

[@hedrusvanderMerwe]

Very well presented Shem.

[@C4PhotoSafaris]

Dankie Oom.

[@VinaYard]

This video is a gem amongst the C4 series (and they are all good). Thank you for highlighting this important topic and for giving us some historical background. The world is clearly evolving and we must make adjustments to preserve what we have. Africa is a leader in this respect.

[@C4PhotoSafaris]

Thanks Ellen, we completely agree!

[@flemmingmorgan1929]

Great and very pertinent video Shem. We need more Ambassadors like you. It’s such a tragedy to see 30-40 vehicles around a sighting as we sadly see too frequently in the Masai Mara. These are great tips and I will share to as many people as possible.

[@C4PhotoSafaris]

Thanks Flemming!

[@isotechimages.9130]

This is an important subject.

[@ShemCompion]

Thank you. No one is perfect, but applying yourself to the well-being of an animal goes a long way.

[@C4PhotoSafaris]

Yes most definitely one that should be in the spotlight.

[@karolaw62]

Thanks a lot for your insights and your opinion. I‘ve been lucky enough to visit Africa again and again since 1994, almost every year… I have to „confess“ - mostly i did it together with my husband as a selfdriver. But we are often shocked about the behaviour of people - and tour guides. It did happen more than once, that i asked guides and other tourists to respect an animals „safe Space“ and back off. And that often means also: don‘t drive offroad, stick to the official routes!

[@C4PhotoSafaris]

Bad behaviour can happen anywhere and in the areas with mass tourism, behaviour is often at its worst. The more people are educated - the better it will be.. Thanks for returning back to Africa so many times!

[@janetkleyn1887]

Loving the elephant in the background while you talking about experience :)! Great video - Ethics should be everyone's priority!

[@ShemCompion]

Pure serendipity and nature shining on us. During this shoot a large male lion also popped into the riverbed! - to be shown on the blooper reel!

[@C4PhotoSafaris]

Such a great moment!

[@SafariSis]

What do you all think of dropping the selfie stick with the camera attached?

[@C4PhotoSafaris]

@@SafariSis Interesting one. If done from a location where the anima is not affected, or their behaviour is not biased - then I dont see an issue with it. Vehicles make good 'blinds" and so keeping the camera within the profile of the vehicle will help a lot - this is essentially understanding fieldcraft and using it to your advantage in order to not bias the animals behaviour. the other factor here are other tourists- and if your selfie stick is affecting the quality of that sighting. Hope my words add value here.

[@SafariSis]

@@C4PhotoSafaris thank you. Your answer is entirely correct in my mind. Unfortunately I feel like in most cases it does affect the animal's behavior. I felt uncomfortable with that even though the photos are quite interesting.

[@ShemCompion]

Thank you Flemming. The @bigcatpeople / Jonathan and Angie Scott have advocated hard for change in places like the Maasai Mara. With all our efforts change will come!

[@flemmingmorgan1929]

Yes, you all deserve all the support we and others can give!

[@daniellecarstens8287]

Such an important topic that cannot be ignored by any wildlife photographer. Great video with years of experience coming through strong!

[@C4PhotoSafaris]

Well said! Experience is the most valuable form of knowledge.