A Code of Ethics for Landscape Photographers

Towards an Ethical Lens

Len’s Code of Conduct for the ethical production and dissemination of landscape photographs.  Use this as a starting point to add too or to develop your own. This is what I do, think and behave. I consider my impact. What will you do?

Leave no Trace

• Walk on hard surfaces, stick to existing foot pads

• Stay on formed tracks and boardwalks as designated by the local land managers

• Stay on the appropriate side of the fence

• Avoid walking on newly forming tracks by other photographers to ‘honey pot’ shots, alternatively speak to the land managers seeking their advice

• Clean up after others and take your rubbish home with you. This includes biodegradable litter such as apple cores, banana peels etc

• Consider and eradicate visual pollution and damage

• Walk through muddy tracks to avoid widening the track

• Seek out and follow local environmental best practices

• Consider the impact of your tripod

• Leave rocks, plants, and other natural objects as you find them

Do no harm

• Consider the consequences when labeling photographs (this includes the impact of geotagging, labeling locations and creative manipulations)

• Photograph birds and animals in their native environments without baits or calls

• Consider the impact on the environment

• Photograph without hurting or disturbing the animals

• Never feed the animals

• Consider your toileting practices, learn how to properly ‘shit in the wilderness’ without polluting the environment. Remove toilet paper and sanitary items and take them home.

• Wash your boots or shoes before entering sensitive areas. Remove seeds in footwear and clothing

• Consider and be sensitive to the local indigenous communities requests

• Do not touch rock art, nor disturb middens and other sacred sites

Create with a conscience

• Consider where and how your photographs will be used

• Consider the impact to society and the environment

• Photograph where you are encouraged to

• Create your own individual art

• Promote environmentalism

• Plan ahead for that unexpected viral photograph

Be considerate and sensitive to others

• Be courteous, respect other visitors and protect the quality of their visit

• Use honest and sensitive labeling

• Own your post processing and creativity

• Consider the feelings of those you photograph

• Consider other photographers as you can become their visual pollution

• Talk to other photographers and help create a healthy photographic community

• Consider your tripods impact on other users of the location and track

• Do not mislead others by presenting your work as truth

Adopt a positive attitude

• Photograph with the best intentions

• Keep yourself and others safe

• Look after your equipment and make it last

• Give back to the environment that gives its beauty so freely

• Photograph for a love of the art and nature, rather than to show off, gain followers and likes

Teach and mentor others

• Discuss landscape photography and environmental ethics with others

• Share your knowledge freely

• Teach others how to find joy in their photography

• Take responsibility for others within your care

• Teach safe and environmentally sound practices

Pieman River, bellow Corina, Tasmania.  Photograph and Text Copyright © Len Metcalf 2018