LOOKING BEYOND THE LENS
“I remember one facepalm moment,” says British wildlife photographer Richard Peters. “I had a guest on safari who asked us to use the vehicle to herd a group of ostriches under a tree, so he could take his photo. Of course, we said no.”
To most people, using a Land Rover to shunt or scare wild birds into position is obviously a bad idea. But common sense and animal welfare are sometimes casualties in wildlife photography. For some photographers or tourists with cameras, getting their shot trumps any other considerations.
The idea of ‘ethical photography’ has spread among photographers in recent years. While some issues are black and white, there are plenty of grey areas. “It’s about having empathy and looking at our actions from the point of view of the animal,” says photographer Melissa Groo, who specialises in photographing birds. “There aren’t always absolutes. You have to make decisions for each situation. But the first rule is: do no harm.”
The golden rule of putting wildlife first is crucial. It’s also the most commonly broken. Many people
