Posted by Brad Hill on January 13, 2011 at 12:10 PM
Like so many human endeavors, wildlife photography has the potential to do great good OR great harm, all depending on how it is practised. As wildlife photographers it makes sense on so many levels to ensure we do more good than harm. But just how do we ensure that's the case?
A popular UK website (wildphotos.org.uk) has taken it upon itself to produce a simple 4-point ethics declaration that can help guide our actions in ensuring we keep wildlife photography on the positive side of the ledger for its subjects. Here is their simple yet inclusive list of ethical principles:
1. We will always put the welfare of our subjects and care of the environment above any photographic aims.
2. We will never use live bait or any bait that will adversely affect the behaviour of an animal.
3. We will always be honest in declaring the circumstances under which a photograph has been taken.
4. We will never use digital manipulation to misrepresent a subject or mislead the viewer.
If you support these simple guidelines, you can publicly declare this support on the WildPhotos website right here: WildPhotos Ethics Declaration
This is one of those "Just Do It" things (at least IMHO!). Takes 2 minutes of your time. If you believe in these principles, please sign up. I did. And please practise what you preach - it CAN make a big difference!
Cheers...
Brad
NOTE: Thanks to Tom W ((UKNP moderator) for bringing attention to this declaration in an earlier post (and letting me "steal" his post to place it in this forum - seemed like a good place for it! )
Thanks Brad and Tom for bringing our attention to this fantastic initiative! I signed up immediately and hope many more NPNers will follow and adhere to the ethical principles!
Posted by dan elster on January 13, 2011 at 5:27 PM
I'm in...thanks Brad.
Posted by Butch Lama on January 13, 2011 at 8:14 PM
I'm already in too... Thanks Tom & Brad.
Posted by Luca Mussato on January 17, 2011 at 7:19 AM
Discussion
6 repliesA popular UK website (wildphotos.org.uk) has taken it upon itself to produce a simple 4-point ethics declaration that can help guide our actions in ensuring we keep wildlife photography on the positive side of the ledger for its subjects. Here is their simple yet inclusive list of ethical principles:
1. We will always put the welfare of our subjects and care of the environment above any photographic aims.
2. We will never use live bait or any bait that will adversely affect the behaviour of an animal.
3. We will always be honest in declaring the circumstances under which a photograph has been taken.
4. We will never use digital manipulation to misrepresent a subject or mislead the viewer.
If you support these simple guidelines, you can publicly declare this support on the WildPhotos website right here: WildPhotos Ethics Declaration
This is one of those "Just Do It" things (at least IMHO!). Takes 2 minutes of your time. If you believe in these principles, please sign up. I did. And please practise what you preach - it CAN make a big difference!
Cheers...
Brad
NOTE: Thanks to Tom W ((UKNP moderator) for bringing attention to this declaration in an earlier post (and letting me "steal" his post to place it in this forum - seemed like a good place for it!