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| A photographer makes his shot safely in the Grand Canyon |
Ethics and common sense
There is a series of photographs making the internet circuit at the moment that I find alarming and think that comment is necessary. After all, what we do with our silence on any subject is condone. I feel the action depicted should be condemned by all of us because unfortunately in many places it represents all of us!
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| This behavior threatens our privilige to photograph in our shared landscape |
The series of photos I refer to will be represented here with the shot of a photographer after he leapt to his destination in Grand Canyon National Park. He of course had to make his way back and you can find these shots elsewhere. I have no intention here of glorifying this stupidity. He did make it but I don't think that fact is of importance or the point. He certainly risked his life and it is hard to believe that he obtained a permit to do so. This assumption leads me to believe that he broke park rules and as a photographer, represented you and me to do so!
This type of situation has become a personal matter for me in a number of ways. I feel that doing landscape photography in our national parks is an honor. There are few counties in the world that have set aside their national treasures for the use of the people. In fact, I think you will find that in many places they are reserved for royalty! Not so here, not as yet. I fear we are coming closer to losing our privilege and this sort of behavior is hastening that day!
I would gladly visit these special places without photographing and did for many years before I started seriously what I do today. I ask, is the ability to move freely without permits, authorization or confinement a privilege or a right? This depends on your point of view and the point of view of those in charge of administrating our communal lands. The views taken of course vary and there are many different types of agencies involved with different agendas as there are types of photographers with theirs. Like it or not they, and we get grouped all together!
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| Anything that would restrict the hundreds of hours I have dedicated to photographing this national treasure is unthinkable! |
While shooting a segment last year for our DVD series we were approached by the authorities on site. They seemed hostile towards us. It was as if they assumed that because we were in an area that dictated special rules, we would break them! I may have been mistaken to assume this, but we were made to feel very uncomfortable and this made the rest of our shoot difficult, which was clearly the intention. They did not want us there, and for a person that can't imagine life without being in the parks, even the thought of being prohibited entry is frightening! The blame for this, I feel goes both ways. I think we represent what has preceded us ...For better or worse!
I can only imagine what the results would have been had this guy fallen. It does happen a lot, intentionally or not, in my nearest national park, Grand Canyon. I had a friend, a California highway patrolman, whom left me with a thought as rules and laws were being solicited and passed on the use of helmets for motorcycle riders years ago. As he listened to a discussion pro and con, he turned and simply said "if you think that helmets are unnecessary, you be the first on scene after an accident instead of me!"
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| Image made from an overlook in peak season while sharing space and conversation. |
Common sense should go along way in this discussion. The ethics involve all of us. I don't go over a railing or into a posted no entry area. I don't crowd out sight-seers at crowded overlooks with my photo gear. I don't take others to sensitive areas without educating them to proper environmental behavior. I feel to do otherwise would jeopardize all others that would like to enjoy what I do in the future.
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| Over 25,000 people visit the inner canyon each year |
The person in the photograph, and all others that ignore common sense and ethics, brings shame on all of us. I would like to go on shooting in the parks without prejudice and condemnation. Without the feeling that I am unwanted and a threat to the very landscape that I love. Is it not a responsibility of us all to protect this privilege we precariously enjoy now?
As landscape photographers we express beauty and passion through our images. We educate and inform with them also. Art is communication with the mind that reaches the soul. Let's continue to send only this message!
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