Subject / Theme: Photography and Film -Fine Arts (Environmental Humanities) Introducing an Ethical Model for Wildlife Photography/Filming Field with Special Reference to Sri Lanka

Abstract

Wildlife photography or filming is associating with nature and wild animals capturing them in their natural habitat. When dealing with nature and animals, photographers have to be circumspect about themselves as well as the knowledge of flora fauna and their environment. They should support to conserve and protect the nature and its wildlife. Therefore establishment of practical ethical model for wildlife image capturing processes has been an important necessity. The model would be related to Sri Lanka. Further, it would probably effective for any tropical country of wildlife conservation to launch their rules, regulations, or guidelines accordingly. Establishment of such model is vital for wildlife photographers and wildlife filmmakers of tropical countries like Sri Lanka and India to follow. Also, this is the first time of study on code of ethics about the wildlife photography done in Sri Lanka. Moreover, this study has been tried to find solutions to prevent unethical wildlife photography practices as well. The study will help to bring the wildlife photography as a more theoretical subject, which would also helpful to academics excessively. The model is a basic ethical approach for the inland wildlife image capturing processes. It suggests and developed some standards and framework under suitable equipment, disturbance limits, responsibilities, and many various analyses. It is consisted with suggestions and solutions to prevent unethical wildlife photography practices as well. So as the wildlife photographers can utilize the model as a guide to their works. The model was developed through both qualitative and quantitative research methods and analysis.

Full text

Subject / Theme: Photography and Film – Fine Arts (Environmental Humanities)
Introducing an Ethical Model for Wildlife Photography/Filming Field with Special
Reference to Sri Lanka.
Divanka R. Podduwage
Drama & Theatre and Image Arts Unit, University Of Kelaniya
divanka@ymail.com
Wildlife photography or filming is associating with nature and wild animals capturing them in
their natural habitat. When dealing with nature and animals, photographers have to be
circumspect about themselves as well as the knowledge of flora fauna and their environment.
They should support to conserve and protect the nature and its wildlife. Therefore
establishment of practical ethical model for wildlife image capturing processes has been an
important necessity.
The model would be related to Sri Lanka. Further, it would probably effective for any tropical
country of wildlife conservation to launch their rules, regulations, or guidelines accordingly.
Establishment of such model is vital for wildlife photographers and wildlife filmmakers of
tropical countries like Sri Lanka and India to follow. Also, this is the first time of study on code
of ethics about the wildlife photography done in Sri Lanka. Moreover, this study has been tried
to find solutions to prevent unethical wildlife photography practices as well. The study will help
to bring the wildlife photography as a more theoretical subject, which would also helpful to
academics excessively.
The model is a basic ethical approach for the inland wildlife image capturing processes. It
suggests and developed some standards and framework under suitable equipment,
disturbance limits, responsibilities, and many various analyses. It is consisted with
suggestions and solutions to prevent unethical wildlife photography practices as well. So as
the wildlife photographers can utilize the model as a guide to their works. The model was
developed through both qualitative and quantitative research methods and analysis.
Keywords:
Wildlife Photography; photography ethics; wildlife ethics; conservation through photography;
responsible wildlife photographer