How To Practise Safe And Responsible Wildlife Photography?
Wildlife photography has become more than a branch of professional photography nowadays. It is a hobby for many photo enthusiasts. However, it is a complicated and unpredictable branch of photography. Animals are fascinating creatures, and capturing them is not as easy as it might seem. They are not civilised like humans. You cannot expect them to hang around and pose for a picture. Hence, as a wildlife photographer, you need to be patient and keep a safe distance to ensure responsible photography sessions.
If you want to pursue a career as a professional wildlife photographer, join wildlife photography classes in India. There, you’ll learn about the ethical guidelines of this branch of photography.
What are the Guidelines Related to Ethical Wildlife Photography?
- Do not Harm, Feed or Bait the Animal
Once you’re on the field to capture the animal, its safety should be your top priority. Do not feed or bait the animal. It might be harmful to its health. Make sure you keep your distance from their shelters, or you’ll scare them away. Animals grow quickly accustomed to human presence; however, you need to stay calm and patient and watch out for positive signs before you start clicking the animal.
- Disable Geotagging
Sometimes, you might catch the rarest activity from an animal and have the opportunity to click it. Make sure you keep the geotagging option disabled in your camera. When you publish the picture, do not give away the location to other opportunists, as this will attract many people to the location and hinder the peaceful life of the animal.
- Use a Telephoto Lens and Avoid Flash
Flashlights can be disturbing and scary for small animals. To ensure the photographer’s and the animal’s safety, avoid using flashlights and try to shoot in natural circumstances. Use a telephoto lens to click the picture from a distance. These lenses give the photographer the space they can keep between the animal and themselves.
- Respect the Lands
When you capture photos from a location near the animal shelter, keep a safe distance from it. Respect the animal’s lands. Get permission before you invade them for pictures. Do not make noise, and stay calm throughout the session. Animals do not like noisy environments. It scares them.
- Rules for Drones
If you’re planning to use drones to shoot animals, you must know the rules. There are areas where drones are restricted. Be aware of the laws before you plan to use drones. It is especially unethical to fly a drone around animals who are nesting, raising the young, or breeding. Hence, if you want to capture these photos, you need to try some other technique.
For the best wildlife photography courses in India, contact Images Redefined Photography Institute. We have an experienced faculty to help you learn the ethical tricks of wildlife photography.