Responsibility in Wildlife Photography - a plea (long post)

[KeenTeen17]

I agree its wrong to get really close to some animals but thats sometimes what has to be done. If a person can't afford a fancy giant camera with a lens as long as my arm ,getting closer is the only thing they can do. But what is annoying is when a person HAS a big fat long lens then he still goes up really really close and photographs it with a long lens. Whats the point in the long lens when hes getting really close anyway? The point of a long lens is to bring far away things closer - not the other way round.

[PMG]

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

I agree its wrong to get really close to some animals but thats sometimes what has to be done. If a person can't afford a fancy giant camera with a lens as long as my arm ,getting closer is the only thing they can do. But what is annoying is when a person HAS a big fat long lens then he still goes up really really close and photographs it with a long lens. Whats the point in the long lens when hes getting really close anyway? The point of a long lens is to bring far away things closer - not the other way round.

As the new owner of a BIG fat long lens I just have to let a bit of daylight in for those who maybe haven't got one or even looked thro one

It doesn't surprise me when folks are out and about and are obviously not photographers and who then comment at the size of mine and assume I'm getting a huge close pic just cos they've clocked the BIG lens............ Folks who don't either use a scope or a camera will not neccessarily know the range and quite easily assume that the fantastic close ups they see in mags and exhibitions have been taken with a BIG lens from half mile away!! They always laugh when my return comment is 'It isn't the Hubble Telescope'! I wish it was!! Folks might be very surprised at how close you still need to be - dependant on the size of the subject of course - you need to be nearer to a warbler to get it than you do to a red deer stag!

I've found that a combination of stalking and sitting in a bag hide can bring things into range - waiting for stuff to forget you're there and get too close to you works on a lot of occasions and is very satisfying - cos while you've sat there you have heard and seen and watched other wildlife happenings too. If you notice on a lot of the pics I post I will tell you how long its taken me to get that pic - and occasionally some of the pics show a relaxed critter looking back at me but not unduly fearful or worried looking cos its had time to get used to me!

One of the reasons we like the Western Isles so much (and the reason why some of the big names are heading off to Scandanavia, Poland and Russia) is the birds are less fearful and more likely to pose - or as in the case of the short eared owls - absolutely used to cars screeching to a halt opposite them on their posts and sticking a lens out - nine times out of ten they will pause before flying or even just plain pose and stare back at you and wait for you to go.

And finally the main reason for having a BIG lens isn't so you can get stuff from further away - its cos the image reproduction is hugely superior to a zoom

And finally finally! I get irritated slightly by the presumption that all folks in camo with big lenses are idiots by definition......... it would be nice if the perceptions changed and I got to hear this description instead..... 'Pauline looks a bit of fool dressed like that but she's doing her best to blend in - cause as little disruption to wildlife as poss and will take endless time and care to get her photographs - cos the getting of them matters just as much as the finished pic.............'

And Pauline will take a lot of time and attention to detail to put the finishing touches to her pics in Paint Shop Pro, cropping, cloning out stray bits of rubbish and water marks, dumbing down or beefing up colour, sharpening some things, blurring others - every craft available to give the finished pic its Wow factor - simply because that facility now exists with digital. Having spent 30+ years on slide film - having to accept that what I got was what I got - no more - no less then the creativity allowed with digital was made just for me - well thats how I feel!

[DuncanE]

Originally Posted by PMG

As the new owner of a BIG fat long lens I just have to let a bit of daylight in for those who maybe haven't got one or even looked thro one

It doesn't surprise me when folks are out and about and are obviously not photographers and who then comment at the size of mine and assume I'm getting a huge close pic just cos they've clocked the BIG lens............

One advantage of having a big lens, is that you can still use it to view you subject - you dont have to take the photo. Ideal when the shot is not right... and saves carrying big bins too.

Also as Paul said some of the best wildlife moments are without the camera. And there's Keith's experience, knowing when and when not to push the button can make all the difference to wildlife watching/photography too. I seem to take more in when not photoing that when doing so.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

I agree its wrong to get really close to some animals but thats sometimes what has to be done. If a person can't afford a fancy giant camera with a lens as long as my arm ,getting closer is the only thing they can do. But what is annoying is when a person HAS a big fat long lens then he still goes up really really close and photographs it with a long lens. Whats the point in the long lens when hes getting really close anyway? The point of a long lens is to bring far away things closer - not the other way round.

it is worth noting that even long lenses (like 500mm ) only equate to about 10x magnification which isnt that much - the real trick for the wildlife photographer is to get tollerably close without disturbing the subject - which means a) researching the subject thoroughly so you recognise its behaviours and can tell if you are causing disturbance b) investing time (and money) in developing your feild craft and camoflage, and c) having the right kit for the job at hand.

Not having the kit and the feildcraft to get your shots without disturbing the subject is no excuse for going too close - theres no "has to" about it - if you dont have the kit to take photos without getting close enough to disturb the species , then dont photograph that species - there are plenty of other photographic opportunities for those with modest kit, and the welfare of the subject species should always come first

[KeenTeen17]

Originally Posted by PMG

And finally finally! I get irritated slightly by the presumption that all folks in camo with big lenses are idiots by definitionD

I don't think its the fact they think your an "idiot" I think its the fact they are jealous.

I get annoyed when people stare at me when I am bent down photographing a plant/mushroom in my local park. I have as much right to be there as anyone else. I have the right to photograph the wonderful flora of my area . just as they have the right to walk their dogs.!

[KeenTeen17]

Originally Posted by eeyore

it is worth noting that even long lenses (like 500mm ) only equate to about 10x magnification which isnt that much - the real trick for the wildlife photographer is to get tollerably close without disturbing the subject - which means a) researching the subject thoroughly so you recognise its behaviours and can tell if you are causing disturbance b) investing time (and money) in developing your feild craft and camoflage, and c) having the right kit for the job at hand.

Not having the kit and the feildcraft to get your shots without disturbing the subject is no excuse for going too close - theres no "has to" about it - if you dont have the kit to take photos without getting close enough to disturb the species , then dont photograph that species - there are plenty of other photographic opportunities for those with modest kit, and the welfare of the subject species should always come first

I am not saying that they should be disturbed. I am only saying that theres nothing wrong with getting close within a necessary distance. I wasn't implying that I want to go up to a nesting plover and ram a lens down its throat. Thats why I stick to photographing flora rather than birds.


flowers and fungi stay in one spot and theres no real disturbing it unless its picked or trampled. eg frog orchids and ladys slipper

[PMG]

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

I don't think its the fact they think your an "idiot" I think its the fact they are jealous.

I get annoyed when people stare at me when I am bent down photographing a plant/mushroom in my local park. I have as much right to be there as anyone else. I have the right to photograph the wonderful flora of my area . just as they have the right to walk their dogs.!

Ha!ha! You might be right about the jealousy too - I hadn't thought of that and yes you do have the right to be going about your hobbies. I've always looked at big lenses and promised myself that one day there would be enough cash to afford to do it without bankrupting myself. Its taken 55 years to get to that stage! (and only just as it is) but I'm wondering now whether I shouldn't have pushed the boat out sooner as they say. I've been to a fair few funerals recently (and one today I was going to until I started a migraine as I should have been setting off). It makes you wonder how many more years I've got - there are no gaurantees - and I've always said I would not work like an idiot and put everything off till retirement - then curl me toes up and die - cos its keeps happening to others........... Maybe I should have been buying and using better equipment a bit sooner than I have

Pauline

[KeenTeen17]

dont think like that - thats being pessimistic! Think about how plan to be around for AT LEAST another decade

[Keith Talbot]

steady pauline,sounds if youve got one foot in the grave already!

(make sure they bury you with your camera!)

keith

[PMG]

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

dont think like that - thats being pessimistic! Think about how plan to be around for AT LEAST another decade

......only one decade?? I was rather hoping for at least two and then perhaps another 5 on top

Originally Posted by Keith Talbot

steady pauline,sounds if youve got one foot in the grave already!

(make sure they bury you with your camera!)

keith

.....heh! heh! highly likely - I don't put it down all that often - well to go to work - but thats about it

No the point I was trying to make was that no-one knows how long any of us has got of even just being fit and well never mind alive - I was making a mental note to myself to keep going - there's nuch to be done and I sort of wish I'd started sooner....... that was all

Pauline