Why are there so few Women in Wildlife Photography?

[@chiaratalia_wild]

This is my little way to celebrate the International Women's Day 2024. I hope I shared the voices of those who often are unheard and unseen. What's your experience in wildlife photography? Looking forward to hearing your experience.

[@alefaust313]

Ciao chiara, io ho inizisto da poco a fare fotografia naturalistica, principalmente agli uccelli avrei bisogno di qualche dritta😅

[@schraeder22]

This is a very important topic and I love that you went out and made your own little research project on it! I'm actually one of the 5 non-binary people who submitted the form. Since I'm quite short the main thing I struggle with is the weight and size of my equipment but I've never experienced any situations where I felt unsafe or where men were condescending towards me (probably because I avoid being around people as much as I can). But it just made me so sad to read what so many women experience while pursuing their hobby. And it made me even sadder that I wasn't even surprised by it. I really wish people would start to acknowledge that photography is not about gender but about skill and passion and that everyone should just do what they love without fearing that something bad might happen or that no one will take them seriously. We should all just appreciate each other's work and help each other out as much as we can, as a community.

[@chiaratalia_wild]

first of all, thanks so much for taking part to the survey which then made this video possible! Secondly, also thank you for sharing your experience also here. I think camera brands never really had the weight as a top priority when planning their line-ups...Because again for the "typical" customer that wasn't a main element. And I also share the experience of just basically avoiding people as strategy 😂

[@marcelgierth7495]

Thank you for this video. My partner (bird watcher, f) and I (wildlife photographer, m) recently had a conversation about why so few women are to be found photographing wildlife or watching birds and we came came to similar conclusions. It's interesting that your survey corresponds very closely with our assumptions. Bit it is a shame, because it would certainly do the community good if there were more gender than just (cis) men. But creating awarenes is a good start. Thank you for that.

[@rasmuswestridge]

This is such a great video with many amazing and good points about the struggles for females in photography. I see alot of the same discrimination against females in the fishing community, when a female post a picture on instagram or a video on youtube where she has caught a beautiful fish she is often met with comments like "did your boyfriend help you with that" or "be honest it was you boyfriend who caught it and then let you pose with the fish" etc. Itˋs extremely disheartening to see such disrespectful comments being made towards a person who shares the same love and passion for something as yourself just because they dont share the same gender.

[@chiaratalia_wild]

Thanks so much for sharing. I think the barriers in wildlife photography could largely overlap with many other outdoor activities - because the underlying bias is always there (outdoor = man). But I can imagine perhaps in the fishing field there is even more space for sexism.

[@rasmuswestridge]

​@@chiaratalia_wildYes you are so right in this observation. I started my working cereer in 2006 as a chef and at that point alot of the older chefs still had the opinion that females dont belong in the kitchen but only as waitresses at restaurants. Its embarrassing to see so many men still holding on to that medieval way of thinking in 2024.

[@RayneDr0ps]

This is definitely something I've noticed even just on KZbin. For the past month I've been deep diving into wildlife and bird photography KZbinrs and all of the ones suggested are 90-95% male photographer/youtubers. Until being recommended your channel today, the only female wildlife photographer suggested to me was Dani Connor Wild. Even below this very video, there are very very few recommended videos that are female wildlife photographers. I have no issues watching the male youtubers, in fact the ones I do follow are fantastic fountains of information, but it is disheartening to see so little female representation in a hobby that really shouldn't have any gender barriers.

[@chiaratalia_wild]

Hey Rayne, you're so right. Also KZbin is a great representation of the real-life data!

[@sierrasahleen9466]

I just started doing wildlife photography and I am not afraid to go out alone but I feel that because I am a women, I have a concerned mother telling me to not go out alone and other people who tell me to not do other things like swimming, camping alone and it makes me wonder if they would tell me the same if I was a man… Despite their concerns, I haven’t let it stop me yet but I do see their concerns with my safety.

[@TytoAlba-cb1rf]

Very interesting video. Wildlife photography is a mirror of society: women being unsafe in some places because of men, men generally assuming they know better, men leaving home for long times without the slightest qualm, etc...

[@chiaratalia_wild]

totally agree! :)

[@sabrinam.8387]

I am a female nature and wildlife photographer. Face the same challenges. I am a member of a photography group where we meet once a month to share pictures. Over the last years the number of women is growing (but still small), but most of them do landscape and macro, not wildlife...

[@sabrinam.8387]

Oh, and I use MFT equipment. Perfect for women because it's lightweight and the image quality is good enough for professional use (I am not a professional). Most men look down at me not only because I am a woman but because I don't use full-frame equipment, too.

[@chiaratalia_wild]

Sabrina, thanks a lot for sharing your experience. It is brilliant you are seeing this increase in numbers (although there is still a lag specifically for wildlife photography). I hear what you're saying. From my survey, it also emerged that men tend to think more about gear - which in turn can make women more self-conscious about theirs.

[@andrewkeir2282]

I joined a local photography club a few months ago, I am happy to say that it is probably about 50/50 male female, maybe even more females, but it is not specifically a wildlife club.

[@natureredux1957]

@@sabrinam.8387 I highly doubt most men look down on anyone just because of the type gear you are using. The gear wars literally have no sex bias. Plenty of men use MFTs due to the lighter weight aka the Lens. In fact, men are likely the loudest group pushing MFTs.

[@sabrinam.8387]

That is not my personal experience with MFT. But my experience might be different from yours!

[@OutdoorShutterbug]

Thanks for making this important and interesting video (and opening yourself up to ignorant comments). The lack of women in wildlife photography (and, I think, outdoor pursuits in general) is definitely something I’ve noticed, especially here on KZbin, and have often pondered on why that is. It was very interesting to hear other people’s perspectives. In my own experience, I have most keenly felt it when shopping for outdoor clothing and gear. There’s not a lot designed specifically for women in comparison to what’s available for men. I went into Cabela’s (a large North American sporting goods store chain) looking for boots once and found this enormous section of men’s boots and this tiny section for women tucked in a corner of the store. I wish there were more camera backpacks and straps designed specifically for a female figure too. I have hope that things are slowly changing and will continue to improve for all people. I’ve been delighted to see more women wildlife photography channels, like yours, pop up since I first got into wildlife photography in 2020. The idea of starting a channel is something I’ve toyed with myself.

[@AnVoPhotography]

Thank you for bringing focus to this subject. It has actually been on my mind for years as it’s truly a barrier for myself. I too feel unsafe in remote places carrying expensive gear so I have given up the dream of wildlife photography. But gender bias exists not only in wildlife photography but all aspects of photography. Even when buying photography equipment I notice this. I am often ignored in the shops, and have to be very persistent to be serviced if I can’t find what I’m looking for. And the shop assistant automatically assumes I know nothing. Very annoying and very disheartening. Thank you again for bringing this up. 😊

[@chiaratalia_wild]

I'm really sorry to hear about your experience. I would encourage to go back at your dream. There are ways around it, it's hard but we can make it work 💓

[@iastorgaphotos]

Challenges I’ve encountered: heavy equipment BUT I’m happy to see more lighter telephoto lenses are entering the market; hiking alone in new locations so I usually take my sister with me, but other times I just head out, being very aware of my surroundings; I’ve definitely encountered less women photographers out in the field. I’ve been doing wildlife photography for almost six years and have made acquaintances with more male photographers. One lady I met last year stated she didn’t visit many new locations since she felt unsure whether she would be safe. Like you, Chiara, when I’d bump into other male photographers I’d feel a little insecure when approaching them. But my confidence has grown and I’ve received compliments from these very photographers for my dedication and persistence to do my photography come rain, snow or sun. Wishing all the women to keep keeping on!👊🏽🫶🏽👍🏽

[@chiaratalia_wild]

Thank you so much for sharing also your personal experience. I am sure it will be helpful for many others who are reading 💚

[@TroyShields]

Your experiences are so valid. Thank you for sharing. *Note* I have decided to edit my comment as not to distract from this important topic. I enjoy your videos! Please keep the great content coming!

[@chiaratalia_wild]

I appreciate your input. This survey has surely some limitations - but in all honesty it is just the best I could do right now. The sample size is just too small to capture the issues related to other minorities. I had a couple of answers mentioning BIPOC-specific challenges as well as a few people mentioning ageism. But again, the limited number of answers just don't allow for a FULL analysis of all the factors that can represent the barriers everyone face. That said, I totally agree there is even less representation for some other groups. And on Instagram I follow different birders/photographers who are actively working to improve accessibility for BIPOC people. But I am afraid right now I can't really add to that conversation with the data I have. The topic here was wildlife photography because that was the community I targeted and it is the field I have direct experience in. Obviously the root causes are to be found in deep mechanisms that GO way beyond and can be applied to many other aspects, and surely not only to women. I am also a first-gen graduate in STEM and I am an immigrant so there are other other barriers I also encountered in my life. Again, are there people who faced worse issues than mine? Of course. But I don't think it is really productive just to start the game of "who has it worst" .

[@TroyShields]

@@chiaratalia_wild Let me be clear. My intent was neither to minimize nor invalidate your experience as a female in any way. It is your channel, your opinions, and your perspective, but you asked for comment in the video. My point was only to empathize with the many barriers that women wildlife photographers face and to let you know that you are not alone.

[@biologyuppsala5389]

Thanks for doing this. As a male photographer walking through my neighborhood with a big lens I do wonder sometimes what people will think. Not that it stops me. Today I was out on a short hike with a big lens AND a tripod with a spotting scope. After a while my wife offered to carry the telescope which I gladly accepted :)

[@grahamsnelgar3703]

I never realised this was an issue, from my experience i see more female photographers in my area with many groups and events organised by women. I dont see any barriers or negativity.

[@chiaratalia_wild]

I'm happy to hear that is your experience, , but unfortunately it's not the norm 😊

[@ivan11cast]

Great video! And yes i agree, for example, women have a safety concern especially in big city's. They usually will not go to a park alone at dusk or dawn and with good reason. It is completely different for men.

[@katy3084]

I'm so glad to see a video on this subject so thank you. For me, I do worry about my safety and where possible, I will go to new places with my husband and stick to familiar surroundings that aren't too remote when I'm on my own. Saying that, I try to not let this hold me back (I'm getting better) but in reality I do pick and choose where I go and I am hyper vigilant when out and about.

[@chiaratalia_wild]

Hello Katy thank you so much for your comment. I understand very well your perspective, and happy to hear you're keep going. Please don't stop 💚

[@karyleianawildernesscapes]

It's interesting reading/seeing how universal certain experiences are for women: • Not being taken seriously • Male Photogs assuming they have more experience • More cautionary disposition on going out in nature Etc... For the most part, I don't take the skillset assumptions/man-splaining too personally (unless it comes with condescending tones, which at times it DOES 🙃). In which case, MY skillsets speak for themselves. The annoying part of being a female (outdoor/wildlife) photog is when *I* hold myself back from certain outings/locations bc I won't feel 100% safe going solo. Feeling like I have to rely on other people to join me, just for safety reasons. AND feeling/thinking, "If I were a guy. I'd just go. I'd already have crossed it off my bucketlist." I've done MANY "risky/adventurous" outings solo...& yet I never quite feel "secure/good enough" to tackle certain locations/outings & it's frustrating bc it's only MY mindset/beliefs that's the real issue. I'm glad I'm not alone tho & I hope more women will join the field 🙏🏽

[@chiaratalia_wild]

Thanks so much for sharing! I think we have to be kind to ourselves - it is not "just" our mindset/beliefs. That's actually a lot and something that has been wired in our brain for so long... it is difficult to get rid of it all! But we will get there. And I wish you all the best with your adventures and I am sure you'll cross off your list all the things you want to :)

[@wangwei2055]

Thanks for sharing this video. From my personal feeling,also safty issues are what I am always worrying.I would hesitate if I should go somewhere alone. As to whether I should stay out late or not. As women, we are more worried about man-made unsafe factors when outdoors. For being alone outdoors,I think it can be a little more complicated. Strictly speaking, apart from the human factor, being alone in an unfamiliar outdoor environment is dangerous for everyone, no matter how big and strong a person is. For example, if getting injured accidentally, the person may not be able to get help in time, and no one can take care of each other. But in reality, this situation still happens often. On the other hand, I think there are also some potential benefits to photographing wildlife outdoors alone. When shooting alone, people will be more focused and have a calmer mind. Aesthetics will also be less affected by the external environment. Looking forward to seeing your next video!

[@wangwei2055]

Safety issues need to be taken seriously. I also wonder if some male photographers are so confident that they often don't pay enough attention to safety. Just because something bad hasn't happened doesn't mean a course of action is appropriate.

[@chiaratalia_wild]

Thanks for your comment and sharing your experience! I can confirm that by the answers received, the safety concern was related to meet other people (men) in the wild. Because as you say, the other risks are definitely something everyone faces. There is indeed also the factor of risk perception, which has been proven to be different across genders.

[@qcumberpatch]

Very scientific. A good objective overview. Also quite concerning. How do these data relate to female photographers in other fields?

[@Yanbrandcom]

I need to point out that women have played a large roll in the history of photography, If there are more men than women in the wildlife photo genras it's only due to interest not barriers. Wildlife photography is a solo activity the only barrier is yourself.

[@TerryKontopoulos]

I totally agree with your survey as I am 68 yo male and I have face this practically in the field when RARELY see a female photographer and I feel so sad about it... May be time will change it...

[@chiaratalia_wild]

Things are definitely changing :) And thanks for your comment!

[@andrass.2842]

This was super interesting! My impression is that there are many stereotypes on both sides and because of this the attitude can be wrong. For example: Women are weaker than men, due to this physical reason, being a wildlife photographer is more challenging for them. Although I'm a guy, im 170 cm and 50-52 kg!!! - not very masculine, right? - My physical power is the same as a small, fragile girl's. I really know what being small and weak feels like. A lot of girls are bigger and stronger than I am...specially here in Norway. :D But even though I'm small and weak, I never had the thought of "What I can NOT do" because of this. I only think of "What I CAN" do. Never thought of me being weak (compared to others) as a barrier, because in wildlife photography it is NOT a barrier. So of course, physical power matters, but being small and fragile can only prevent those from being wildlife photographers, who believe that it can prevent them from being that. You (and I) can not carry 30-40 kilos for a multiday session, but this is still not a barrier. Being small and weak can be compensated with creativity and knowledge, so no one should think about it as a barrier. This attitude is more of a barrier than being weak and small. Related to the comment at 5:39 : The lady who wrote this comment may have this experience but it doesn't mean that it's a general truth. In my opinion, this is a stereotype. I'm a quite conservative guy and I think that the traditional gender roles are important, but why would I think that only I have the right to have a hobby / passion but my girlfriend / wife doesn't? This is going to be a tough sentence but those ladies who experience this chose the wrong man! I'm happy that my girlfriend has a hobby. It makes her even more attractive! Come on ladies! Don't let your men decide what YOU should spend YOUR time with! And please, don't think that all men are like this, because it's not true, and I believe (or at least want to) that the majority of men respect your freedom. When your man doesn't respect your freedom that means, that he is a bad person. It doesn't have anything to do with his gender, but his personality. The one at 8:25 : This stereotype is something that men don't even realize they do. This is why it's important that it got mentioned here. It may be related to some kind of hierarchical reason? I'm not completely sure but this should definitely change! I'd be interested in the average age of wildlife photographers! I only see young people on Instagram, but on field, or live presentations, meetings, facebook groups most of the wildlife photographers are around 50-60 - at least this is my impression. I almost never meet anyone around their 20's, 30's. Thank you for the video! (And I love the robin on your right! :) ) Happy Women's Day!

[@chiaratalia_wild]

Hello Andràs, I totally agree there are stereotypes on both sides. As you also indicate, I also had a few women clearly mentioning they were actually frustrated men assumed they are weak. As also it is incorrect to assume all men are stronger. There's definitely gender bias also here related to the more traditional "view" of men and women. However, I want to add that sometimes these labels (ie. "I am weak") become so attached (because it is how you have viewed yourself your whole life) it becomes very difficult to get rid of it. But in practice I agree with you that solutions can be found. For the comment at 5:39 I reported because time and family duties were recurrent themes. As for all the other topics, these of course are not general experiences (luckily). For example it is not something I have to deal with. But these are still experiences some have (in this regard I also refer to the read of the first article I linked in the description which goes more over the professional side of things and analyse how these are major aspects actually). For the apparent weird tendency of men to feel the urge to explain things to women who may know more than them, I think the root cause can be identified in the inherent patriarchy system in which men are entitled to everything that has value - money, power but also knowledge. This also is directly connected with how women are traditionally raised to be "gentle", "kind", "polite" (so it is much harder to speak up). Next time I'll do the survey I will also definitely include other variables such as age and country. My perception is indeed there are more older people but of course the social media demographics can skew this a bit. As an example on Instagram my followers are distributed like that: less than 24 (17%), 25-34 (29%), 35-44 (21%), over 45 (33%). Thanks for all the points you raised and sharing your perspective!

[@michajastrzebski4383]

" Although I'm a guy, im 170 cm and 50-52 kg!!! - not very masculine, right?" - incorrect. If you are a man, you ARE masculine. Dont let anyone - especially any woman - tell you otherwise.

[@David_Quinn_Photography]

should do another poll separating by age as well and see if younger men face rejection more often being into photography, I am in my late 20s and have been rejected for being into photography.

[@chiaratalia_wild]

That is a good point - there is surely a scarcity of young people in wildlife photography (but I don't think it is specific for young men). But as also for women, this is changing (also thanks to social media). Unfortunately the survey was too small to include all the possible factors that can play a role. But surely if I'll redo it again in a larger scale I'll investigate also the age element.

[@diezo808]

would be interesting to add perspectives from those who experience multiple marginalized identities such as race or sexuality to a future poll. many of the groups we hang with have qtbipoc affinity events since all of us have had so many negative experiences in spaces that are often dismissive of perceived "outsiders". this is a good discussion starter for a lot of ppl.

[@chiaratalia_wild]

It's a very good point. Unfortunately my poll was on a too small scale to include other variables as well. But it's absolutely something that should be included in the future!

[@ninjesus4079]

very interesting insights Chiara! Gotta admit that being a man certainly helps regarding safety especially when wandering in forests or parks during golden hour. I live in Berlin and because it is a big city you certainly need to be aware of your surroundings, even more so with an expensive setup.

[@chiaratalia_wild]

Thank you for your comment!

[@keithforcier6119]

Thank you Chiara..a fantastic video. 😊

[@chiaratalia_wild]

Glad you liked it!

[@jeffolson4731]

I took part in the poll and will say I am not surprised by the difference in the answers between male and female respondents. I am one of the enlightened males, or as I like to say, not blind. Very good, and I think, important video and subject.

[@chiaratalia_wild]

Thank you for taking part to the survey! You made this possible :)

[@soarpurpose]

If you count wild birds as wildlife, I do wildlife and nature photography as a hobby. Which I then use as reference pics for my art (now semi-professional). I use lighter gear that I can carry easily. Some setups are mega expensive and mega heavy and cumbersome.

[@natureredux1957]

I would love to see far more women doing Wildlife professional or otherwise. I strongly suspect that Men are far more supportive of their groups then women are. Hence the problem. If more women would support women, this would hardly be a issue. I just did a quick search and the World Population is about 50/50 Men vs Women. I am surprised seeing how Women tend to outlive men. At least that is what I thought. Bottom-line, women need to do FAR more supporting women.

[@chiaratalia_wild]

Although I agree support is important, I don't think that just by increasing the support from women to women could determine a significant change. Because that doesn't really go to tackle the root causes of the issues. For that, we need a much wider change across the different layers of society - including of course men.

[@michajastrzebski4383]

as a guy - we are expected - and groomed from toddler - to do waaay too much stupid, dangerous shit for this society. This skews the statistics. Once we move away from - and penalise mothers that mostly perpetuate this - the idea that men should protect and provide, things will change.

[@joncothranphotography9375]

I understand that, as a man, my opinion is lessened in the current environment, but I question the amount of interest in wildlife photography by women. It has been my experience thus far that women photographers usually photograph people (weddings, portraits, etc...) due to the general tendencies of the female to be interested in people and relationships. I'm not attempting to put stereotypes on people, but this does tend to be the nature of people in general. Speaking from my prospective, I am a former hunter and outdoorsman who, through a series of events, lost the ability to do those things in the same capacity as before, but wildlife photography has become that outlet for me. These type of interests are more held by men although there are many women who hold these interests and the number is growing. As far as the social media part of things, more men are watching KZbin and they like to watch women doing the things that they like to do because many of them have wives/partners who do not enjoy the things that they enjoy. They long for that connection with someone that can be a part of that part of their lives with them. This is the reason for the rapid growth of female channels over the same channel staring a man. These are just my thoughts and experiences as an old man. I know people think differently now, but that's my "2 cents worth." Thanks for the video!

[@chiaratalia_wild]

Hello Jon, appreciate your input. But I would like to ask you another question in return: Why are women less interested? The truth is that stereotypes and the traditional gender roles are really really wired into our brain to the point women don't even consider some activities just because "they are not meant for them". There is a quote "“You can't be what you can't see.”. How could a little girl start considering being a wildlife photographer if there are none out there? This is not just for wildlife photography - this can be applied to MANY activities that are typically outdoor ones as well as for technical ones, but also if we move to education I think about all the STEM degrees and professions. Regarding the social media, I can't really say because I don't have actual data about it. I can just say based on my experience, I won't say a woman has on average more followers than men. The biggest wildlife photography accounts/channels I know across different social media platforms are men's.

[@joncothranphotography9375]

@@chiaratalia_wild I understand that people need to see and experience what's out there in order to know what they would want to do, but I think that we are putting too much emphasis on gender. I hope that I am not coming across as a misogynist. I just feel that people are free to do as they want and they will do just that. I also feel that the current climate allows for more cross gender interests and barriers are not so large anymore. I am not from a college or education background, but I have worked with people from all over the world in my 32 years of industrial production and manufacturing. I have known many males and females in engineering rolls and I just don't see the disparity in my area, but my world view may be limited. I am really glad that we can have a very civil conversation about this. Thank you! I hope that I am not taking away from your IWD celebration.

[@ppww6076]

@@joncothranphotography9375 I was a female that broke into an all male field when I was younger and MOST accepted me for who I was, once they got over the surprise of finding out that I wasn't actually lost and in the wrong class. But that is quite different to meeting a man in the isolated outdoors when I'm out photographing birds. Then my stomach gets churning and I assess the persons attitude and actions from afar if I can, often detouring and trying to avoid meeting up. Spotting another camera with a big lens usually puts me more at ease. I know the majority of men are not out to cause me harm but as time goes on I feel less confident. About a year ago nearby a man out walking a dog was stabbed to death in a random encounter which happens too often. Women are attacked regularly. Having this in the back of my mind does tend to colour my enthusiasm for being out on my own. Regarding the emphasis on gender you can't dismiss the data that quickly. Maybe after watching this video you will start to notice subtle disparities. 🙂

[@SenshinDk]

Yes there are a lot less women, but what stands out even more is the lack of BIPOC or maybe not lack, but how they are invisible to non-BIPOC.

[@chiaratalia_wild]

Of course I appreciate your input - but I hope this doesn't turn into a war among minorities. One issue doesn't exclude another. I prepared this for celebrating Women's Day, also because it's a topic I am comfortable covering right now. But by no means I think women underrepresentation is the only and biggest problem out there.

[@SenshinDk]

@@chiaratalia_wild I don't understand why it would turn into a war, me mentioning this. We as white women have a privilege other women don't, and a responsibility to cast light on that. That doesn't take away from others.

[@chiaratalia_wild]

​@@SenshinDk and I agree with you, and I feel that privilege every day (and I mention this clearly also in that video). But I also think that pointing out that there are "worse" issues has just the effect of discrediting what was the topic I presented here. Again, I am not saying those issues are not there. (Unfortunately) they ALL co-exist and they are ALL valid. So it's not "yes women are less BUT" rather more "yes women are less AND also..."

[@thomervin7450]

There are even more invisible blind, web-toed female photographers out there than BIPOC.

[@mshepard2264]

So I used to work for a major media organization for 18 years or so. I’m an expert in camera equipment but not really a photographer. However I have gone to some fairly sketchy places and I’m a white guy (this works in my favor of most the time except when it doesn’t ). I have definitely felt unsafe in the field. If I was a woman there would have been even more frequent scary situations. It is not at all fair but unfortunately a reality. I feel like this becomes less of an issue if there is a larger team in the feild.

[@chiaratalia_wild]

The problem is that wildlife photography is much more often a solo activity to avoid disturbing wildlife!

[@Nidhi_Maheshwari]

🙆🧣💚💚

[@andrewkeir2282]

Fantastic video, I am about to host a small U3A camera group today, (not the bigger club I also belong to) I am afraid I will be doing a lot of mansplaining today. as we are going to be going over individuals cameras, and the less experienced in the small group all happen to be female. Sorry...😅 Happy Womens Day,

[@simonh]

I have 40 years of experience in photography, and I learned much of what I know by listening intently to other photographers who generously and freely gave me their time and attention. I would be happy to impart my knowledge to anyone of the next generation who's interested to learn, but not at the risk of being accused of mansplaining.

[@chiaratalia_wild]

The problem when discussing these topics is that people tend to get very easily defensive... Mansplaining DOES NOT CORRESPOND to all the cases in which a man teaches something to a woman. Mansplaining is a very SPECIFIC phenomenon, so maybe I would suggest to do some reading on that. To me it is obvious that if I am part of a camera club or I am in a workshop and there is a teaching opportunity, I'll be happy to learn from anyone. And obviously I have learnt from others, no matter the gender.

[@simonh]

​@@chiaratalia_wild I have familiarised myself with the concept. The offence of mansplaining is defined by the person being spoken to rather than the person speaking. One does not give offence, one takes offence. Since I am not a club member, nor run photography workshops, it's just safer to keep my knowledge and experience to myself when in the field.

[@mshepard2264]

I don’t think the weight of the cameras has anything to do with anything. cameras are not that heavy these days unless you are dragging a imax camera up Everest. I would think the main disadvantage it is personal safety while traveling alone in foreign nations. This can be solved with some assistants or fixers. Unfortunately it not like the world rains money on wildlife photographers….

[@chiaratalia_wild]

Apologies but I disagree. The problem is not the weight of the camera but the weight and size of the lenses that are more suitable for wildlife photography. Options are improving now but it is an issue for women as reported in the results. Myself included I would have not taken some photos if it wasn't for my partner helping me carrying the gear. But not everyone has someone to help them, and this can stop a woman to do it. Which I believe it's not fair 👌

[@josemiguel9569]

AGAIN... Why are there so few Women in Wildlife Photography? Because THERE MORE MEN THAT LIKE MORE THE WILDLIVE PHOTOGRAPHY THAN THE WOMEN, That all. For the same reason that there more women models than men model in Industry. DAHHHH!!!

[@chiaratalia_wild]

If you only really listened to what was said in this video...unfortunately listening skills and empathy are not something everyone has 🥹

[@markhickson1066]

Another whinging person blaming the system being against them. What rubbish! Taking great photo is all that matters. If not as many women are interested in wildlife photography then there will be less women who are great wildlife photographers. It doesn't mean a woman can't be the greatest, why would it? Take photos and stop trying to make this a sexism battle. If you aren't achieving what you want to achieve, then there could be a number of reasons which do include luck. Almost everyone who reaches the top of any profession or hobby has some luck and may not be the best. However, while luck will play a part being the best one can be and working harder than everyone else at one's ability level will make a difference. The world is not against you. So work hard, do the best you can, challenge yourself and stand by your work, telling people when you have done something well. However, stop whinging as this definitely won't help!

[@chiaratalia_wild]

Thank you! It is the comments from people like you that convince me even more of how much this video was necessary and I have to speak up. Invalidating others' experience and label the issues they face as "whining" IS actually the problem. It takes some empathy and courage to try to embrace the perspective from others that might be different from ours. How cool would it be if the world was really fair with everyone, if success was really just related to the skills and effort one put. The truth is this is a race, but not everyone has the same equipment and not everyone starts from the same point. If you don't see any privilege for yourself, it is very luckily because you have a lot of it. You must have a great view from up there - how unkind from my side to ask you to come down a little and look at what others experience.

[@thomervin7450]

Right on, Mark.

[@keithmcfaul9310]

Who cares?!

[@chiaratalia_wild]

It is exactly because of the existence of people like you that I made this video

[@keithmcfaul9310]

BFD!!!@@chiaratalia_wild

[@nigelroberson8911]

A notable lady in this field was Cindy Buxton. She was filming wildlife on the Falkland islands when Argentina invaded it. Thats scary. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cindy_Buxton

[@iamstacyswift]

This a great video and so true and it’s even hard for people like me black female of color to get support as a Wildlife photographer from other white female and man’s support 😢😢😢😢I always feel like give up but god have a purpose for me. Now I am trying to make my IG and my KZbin channel match what I do wildlife, landscape and solo travel photography @iamstacy_swift

[@chiaratalia_wild]

I am sorry to hear about your challenges. And I wish you the best with your channel and account!