Seals and Flash.

I've just posted a reply to Julian Cox's 'Donna Nook sandstorm post and it's raised an issue in my head.
Would it be OK to use fill flash on seals? Now, when using a long lens (which is what all my seal images have been taken with)I would not have the power anyway (430EX flash and no 'Better Beamer' thingy)but does anyone have any idea of how they would react. With other animals and birds I have generally found that the very short duration of modern flashes rarely has any adverse effect.
Some of the images coming from Donna this year have been wider shots than I would expect (and it must be said that none of the subjects seemed unduly disturbed) and I was wondering if, given the usual constraints of never approaching the animal within it's 'cicle of fear' / causing distress etc, the use of flash could be condoned?

Robert

Donna Nook has a population of 1300 seals, increased from below 100 in 1981, the place is infested with onlookers and photographers, when I was there I reckon there were over 2000 visitors, so I think from these numbers a flash (which will be freely fired from many a point and shoot) wont be of no consequence. My wide angle shot was of a curious seal, it literally came and checked me out, when I stood up it and seals behind rapidly retreated, but not far.
It depends on the personality of the seal I guess, if you were to disturb a pregnant one then there could be consequences. Perhaps you have to take into account copy cat's, will your use of flash be taken up by numerous others?
I guess try it once and see what happens, plenty of "teenager" seals about.

Hi Tim
I reckon your statement...' It depends on the personality of the seal I guess...' hits the nail on the head. Individual animals vary greatly in their reaction to humans and human actions. I have seen badgers stampede for home when a flash goes off, others that give a bit of a jump and carry on and yet others which don't even flinch.
My own opinion was that the younger seals (not pups) do show a degree of curiosity which can be exploited (poor word to use but I think you know what I mean).
Coincidentally, I was watching the BBC Life programme last night and found it amusing to watch the Elephant Seal pups clambering around the tripods and photographers.
Thanks for the reply Tim.
Robert

Robert,

I was there last week and there were several fellows on the public footpath with 500mm lenses with attached flash guns and Better Beamers - all shooting a seal pup and cow not 20 foot away on the dunes. they (the seals) didn't seem to mind too much - but then you don't know how sensitive their eyes are to flash guns popping off - I personally wouldn't use flash on any young seal pup (or other young) but that is just my personal take on it - others will have a different point of view.

Tim makes a valid point though, if there's one big flash gun and better beamer then how long before there are many more?

hope that helps

cheers

Colin

Well looking at other forums it does seem that some at Donna Nook were out of order last weekend getting way to close to the seals and using flash within 2 mtrs of the pups....
You can see pics of seals surrounded by photographers within 2 mtrs of them, now sorry but for me that is not taken the welfare of the animal into consideration.... I hope those from here conducted themselves properly and thought about the animal first before the shot... ( I am sure those from here did)


Link to thread on TP
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=181905&page=3

I don't think there is a straight answer to this one, Robert. I try to avoid using flash on wildlife subjects if I possibly can, but sometimes you do need it. Outside photography, when I am carrying out a scientific survey of a pond at night I will probably be shining a 500,000 candle power torch onto the inhabitants for minutes on end. I wondered how that differed, and the conclusion I came to was that when I did that, there were not loads of others coming along after me to do the same thing. I think that is the difference between an unknown site and a high-profile one like Donna Nook. It is not the effect that you have, it is all the others who then do the same thing. I suspect that the seals will get used to flash very quickly, if not I guess the numbers on the site will quickly decline. I have never been to Donna Nook, but if some of the tales posted here are correct it sounds as though the seals have plenty of flash to contend with already, and are relatively little disturbed by it. What do those who have actually visited think?

David

have been to the site only once and it was before the 'mad' season, it was very quiet. I personally have to say I wouldn't use flash, to say the animal didn't appear to be disturbed is ok when they have no pups/young with them, but a picture isn't worth disturbing mother/pup in my opinion and if you use a flash, are you giving them a choice? They either tolerate it or abondon the pup.

Maybe I should answer with a few more questions..

1. Does flash bother them anymore than the 1000s of people trampling all over their breeding site year after year and taking full advantage of the fact that in some cases you can get quite close..?

2. Is the use of flash anymore disturbing than the use of the site as target practice by the military..?

3. As an ethical wildlife photographer, do you want to get caught up in the mass circus that you know happens every year..?

In terms of the physical effects, no it won't have any real lasting effects on the seals as their eyes react in a similar way to ours. Only when they are in the water are they wide open and a lot more sensitive, far beyond our capabilities without an aid.

Flash will always be used and often to great effect and I have no problem with it's use. You will find that if the animals are not completely at ease with you any other, sudden movements, noises, flashes etc.. will just upset them further and may cause them to flee but it really is an animal by animal process. You should be experienced with the animals you intend to work with and know what both your and the animals limits are. This I feel is critical in all our work.

I would be happy to discuss this matter and its effects on the behaviour etc further but feel that there are greater risks to the animals at DN and this is a mere drop in the ocean if you forgive the pun.

In respect to the original question though I would say that proximity of you to the animal is more of a worry to them than the flash itself. They will already be on guard as you approach and firing off a flash will continue the disturbance whether briefly or until the seal moves off.. Is it absolutely necessary..? Don't they look better in natural light anyway..? Please just weigh up the pros and cons before carrying it out!

Sorry to rant but it disturbs me somewhat..

Brett

Nature first everytime and don't agree on using flash on wildlife,when I hear people saying 'It does'nt harm them' I get mad as how do we really know point a flash or bright light at a human and its not nice, same for wildlife as far as I am concerned

It is almost impossible to get pleasing results with on-camera (camera bracket) flash when shooting animals with fur - even seals, Feathers (maybe not ostrich) reflect light differently, so it is not such a problem from that perspective when shooting birds. Using a better beamer/flash extender at 20ft is only something a chef would do, not a knowledgable photographer.