GUIDE TO RESPONSIBLE PHOTOGRAPHY
These guidelines are designed to inform club members of best practices and ethical considerations in the pursuit of photography. Please consider the following when capturing, creating or sharing your images. Photography can have a powerful influence on the community, the arts and our environment. Please be mindful of your impact and behavior when taking pictures. Keep in mind that as a member of the LPS, your conduct is a reflection on the organization. For more in-depth information on these guidelines, see links below.
Community Guidelines
Always consider the impact of capturing and sharing visual images, and follow these courtesies:
** Never advance one’s own interest at the expense of ethical behavior.
** Maintain confidentiality of information obtained when requested.
** Always know and respect local laws and the personal and property rights of others. They change from one location to another, both home and abroad.
** Always respect the copyrights of another creator.
** Be a good role model as a photographer and remember that you may be representing others as well as yourself. (For example, as a club member, a volunteer or creating images for a publication).
When doing photojournalistic or documentary work:
** Photograph with honesty and integrity. Always provide accurate captions, and never alter the content or meaning of a documentary or editorial photograph.
** Do not intentionally contribute to, alter, or seek to influence events.
** Treat all subjects with respect and dignity. Photos of people who are vulnerable are to be taken with particular care, compassion and protection of privacy. Give special consideration to vulnerable subjects and compassion to victims of crime or tragedy. Consider not releasing images that intrude on private moments of grief unless the public has an overriding and justifiable need to know
Understanding when to obtain model releases
These can be complicated. Factors that may require a release include location, commercial image use, age and privacy. Protect yourself and make sure you know and understand the requirements, which vary widely from country to country. Never use deceit in obtaining model or property releases.
https://improvephotography.com/48423/model-release/
The Environment
Above all, do no harm.
** Acquaint yourself with the fragility of the ecosystem, respect the behaviors of the wildlife you may encounter and stay on trails that are intended to lessen impact. Do not destroy habitat to make for a more picturesque scene and do not damage or remove any plants, life form or natural objects. Do pack out trash.
** While photographing, prepare yourself and your equipment for unexpected events. Avoid exposing yourself and others to mishaps that might cause damage or injury. Don’t let your tripod and camera gear block trails or hinder the movements of others who may be in the area. Remember that the welfare of the subject and habitat are always more important than the photograph.
Wildlife Interaction
Track or pursue your subject with care and caution. It means not causing wildlife to stop hunting, eating, and resting, or to threaten or charge you. View wildlife from a safe distance for both you and them; often park regulations will specify this, and those must be observed. Learn patterns of animal behavior and know when not to interfere with animals’ life cycles. Never interfere with animals engaged in breeding, nesting, or caring for young. Learn to recognize wildlife alarm signals and never forget that these animals are NOT tame no matter how docile they appear.
If the animal interrupts its behavior (resting, feeding, etc.), then you are too close and must distance yourself. Learn and watch for signs of distress; if you see them, pull back. Failure to comply with these regulations could not only create a dangerous situation for you, but also potentially lead to your arrest and prosecution.
Breeding season requires special care. Avoid actions that might result in driving parents away from the young, which leaves them open to predators and the elements. Never alter vegetation around nests or dens, as it provides critical camouflage as well as protection from sun, wind, and rain. Consider using blinds to conceal yourself and your camera gear. Learn and use good field techniques when capturing images of wildlife in their habitat.
Never come between a parent and its offspring. Never crowd, pursue, prevent escape, or make deliberate noises to distract, startle or harass wildlife. This too is stressful and wastes valuable energy in needless flight.
It’s best to avoid recorded calls. But if you use them, do so responsibly. Refer to guidelines posted by wildlife and conservation organizations such as Audubon, Sibley’s and the National Wildlife Federation.
https://www.audubon.org/news/the-ethical-bird-photographer
https://www.audubon.org/news/how-use-birdcall-apps
https://www.sibleyguides.com/2011/04/the-proper-use-of-playback-in-birding/
Do not feed or leave food for wildlife in natural areas. Habituation due to handouts can result in disease or even death of that animal and injury to you. Never encroach on nests or dens as certain species will abandon their young.
Abide by best practices for sanitation and cleanliness when feeding birds and wildlife at your residence. Feeders and birdbaths should be maintained daily as often as needed with fresh food and water.
Consider the captive animal and scrutinize opportunities to photograph wild animals in captivity. Know what makes a legitimate sanctuary or zoo, and avoid places where wild animals are exploited for profit. Captive wildlife photography is a popular pursuit, especially for people who may not be able or willing to travel to far-flung places to see wildlife in its element. A wide range of facilities offer opportunities to photograph exotic animals, including zoos, sanctuaries, rescues, reserves, game farms, wildlife centers, refuges, adventure parks, and safari parks. Living conditions for captive wildlife range from sordid to exemplary, just as the reasons for their captivity run the gamut from greed to compassion. No selfies or photographs with wildlife, please. The harm has outweighed the benefits of encouraging close contact with animals, whether they are wild or in a sanctuary.
If you share the location of your images, be mindful of the impact that too many photographers can have on wildlife and the landscape by their presence alone. Too many animals have been greatly disturbed and harassed and landscapes destroyed by too much human interaction. Sharing images on social media and the location data that might be embedded in your image’s metadata might be all it takes to have a very negative impact. All of your “friends” might not share your respect for the outdoors.
Ethical-Field-Practices-Revised-3-2018.pdf (nanpa.org)
The Arts
As photographers, we should accept the responsibility of presenting our images with integrity and high moral values. Photography is a creative medium, and digital images can be edited far beyond the possibilities of conventional film photography.
Images presented as fine art or snapshots have the widest latitude for editing and manipulation. Photographs intended as documentary evidence, such as photojournalism or scientific pursuits, have the least tolerance for digital enhancement: It is imperative that viewers are not intentionally misled to believe something is factual when it is not.
Recognize authorship: Use of another’s image or artwork without permission or payment, whether whole or in part, is a form of theft and a copyright violation. Disclosure of collaborative efforts should be made when applicable. Like any artist who paints a picture, writes a song or carves a statue, a photographer owns the rights to his or her artistic creations. These rights are protected by law, and violation of those rights are subject to penalties. Please respect these rights as you would want yours to be honored.
Guidelines for integrity and moral values acknowledge community standards and social norms. Images that are deliberately controversial to gain recognition may be the first to meet objections. As responsible photographers and members of the community, we should take it upon ourselves to monitor our work for suitability. Fine art photography is highly subjective and open to wide interpretation. What some people perceive as creative may be thought of as offensive by others. A fine art nude photo will be appreciated as an art form by some; others will find it objectionable or pornographic. Please consider how and where your images will be displayed in judging suitability so as to protect your reputation and the good character of LPS.
Nudity Policy
No human nudity, partial or otherwise, will be permitted in LPS monthly competitions. Statuary nudity still is allowed.