Protecting Your Subjects

It should be obvious to all nature videographers that the protection of the subject is far more important than getting a good shot. However in practice there are many cases when nature photographers, film-makers, and videographers put their subjects in danger or discomfort. How often have you seen photographers use strong flashes close to the heads of animals like owls? Films are regularly shown on television where live animals are used as bait to attract raptors or other predators close to the camera. It is all too easy when getting wrapped up in shooting action to forget where the priorities lie.

One good rule we follow is to keep as far away from most animals as possible. This is true particularly for birds and mammals. Keeping your distances reduces the chances of disturbance and ensure that the behaviour you record is more natural. In nature still photography one is often encouraged to get as close as possible. There is no doubt that the picture quality will be higher if you get close (use of shorter lens, less atmospheric disturbance). However, we firmly believe that it is better to stay further away and risk some loss of picture quality. Remember that with the smaller effective size of the video chip compared to 35 mm film, the effective lens magnification is increased. A 300 mm lens put on a 1/2 inch video camera will have a similar field as a 1,500 mm on a 35 mm still camera.

The American Birding Association has published a list of guidelines for birders. This list is reproduced here in its entirety :

American Birding Association

Principles of Birding Ethics

Everyone who enjoys birds and birding must always respect wildlife, its environment, and the rights of others. In any conflict of interest between birds and birders, the welfare of the birds and their environment comes first.

Code of Birding Ethics

1. Promote the welfare of birds and their environment.
   1. Support the protection of important bird habitat.
   2. To avoid stressing birds or exposing them to danger, exercise restraint and caution during observation, photography, sound recording, or filming.
      • Limit the use of recordings and other methods of attracting birds, and never use such methods in heavily birded areas, or for attracting any species that is Threatened, Endangered, or of Special Concerns, or is rare in your local area;
      • Keep well back from nests and nesting colonies, roosts, display areas, and important feeding sites. In such sensitive areas, if there is a need for extended observation, photography, filming, or recording, try to use a blind or hide, and take advantage of natural cover.
      • Use artificial light sparingly for filming or photography, especially for close-ups.
   3. Before advertising the presence of a rare bird, evaluate the potential for disturbance to the bird, its surroundings, and other people in the area, and proceed only if access can be controlled, disturbance minimized, and permission has been obtained from private land-owners. The sites of rare nesting birds should be divulged only to the proper conservation authorities.
   4. Stay on roads, trails, and paths where they exist; otherwise keep habitat disturbance to a minimum.

   
   

2. Respect the law and the rights of others.
   1. Do not enter private property without the owner's explicit permission.
   2. Follow all laws, rules, and regulations governing use of roads and public areas, both at home and abroad.
   3. Practice common courtesy in contacts with other people. Your exemplary behavior will generate goodwill with birders and non-birders alike.

   
   

3. Ensure that feeders, nest structures, and other artificial bird environments are safe.
   1. Keep dispensers, water, and food clean and free of decay or disease. It is important to feed birds continually during harsh weather.
   2. Maintain and clean nest structures regularly.
   3. If you are attracting birds to an area,ensure the birds are not exposed to predation from cats and other domestic animals, or dangers posed by artificial hazards.

   
   

4. Group birding, whether organized or impromptu, requires special care.

   • Each individual in the group, in addition to the obligations spelled out in Items #1 and #2, has responsibilities as a Group Member.

   1. Respect the interests, rights, and skills of fellow birders, as well as people participating in other legitimate outdoor activities. Freely share your knowledge and experience, except where code 1(c) applies. Be especially helpful to beginning birders.
   2. If you witness unethical birding behavior, assess the situation, and intervene if you think it prudent. When interceding, inform the person(s) of the inappropriate action, and attempt, within reason, to have it stopped. If the behavior continues, document it, and notify appropriate individuals or organizations.
      • Group Leader Responsibilities [amateur and professional trips and tours].
   3. Be an exemplary ethical role model for the group. Teach through word and example.
   4. Keep groups to a size that limits impact on the environment, and does not interfere with others using the same area.
   5. Ensure everyone in the group knows of and practices this code.
   6. Learn and inform the group of any special circumstances applicable to the areas being visited (e.g., no tape recorders allowed).
   7. Acknowledge that professional tour companies bear a special responsibility to place the welfare of birds and the benefits of public knowledge ahead of the company's commercial interests. Ideally, leaders should keep track of tour sightings, document unusual occurrences, and submit records to appropriate organizations.

    

   PLEASE FOLLOW THIS CODE--DISTRIBUTE AND TEACH IT TO OTHERS.

   Additional copies of the Code of Ethics, as well as information about the
   American Birding Association can be obtained from:
   ABA
   PO Box 6599
   Colorado Springs, CO 80934-6599
   (800) 850-2473 or (719) 578-1614
   fax: (800) 247-3329 or (719) 578-1480
   e-mail: member@aba.org

The ABA Code of Ethics may be reprinted, reproduced, and distributed without restriction. The Association asks only that you acknowledge the role of ABA in developing and promoting this code

The North American Nature Photography Association has also published a list of guidelines for its members. Check their recommendations at http://www.mcs.net/~rjacobs/nanpa.htm