Field Notes
The Ethics of Wildlife Photography
By Ismail Bhai
A great wildlife photograph is never worth harming the animal in it. Ismail Bhai treats that principle as the first rule of the craft.
Keep your distance
Use long lenses rather than approaching closely. If an animal changes its behaviour because of you, you are too near.
No baiting, no calls
Baiting predators or playing recorded calls to birds can disturb feeding and breeding. Patience produces truer images.
Protect locations
Sharing exact locations of nests or rare species can attract crowds. Be thoughtful about what you publish.