We share the Earth with nature. We are part of nature. To think that we can do anything with wildlife because of taking the word ‘dominance’ literally, is, just ignorant. Native Americans lived here for I believe 22,000 years. Their way of life was sustainable. We called them heathens. Yet, look what happened when the Europeans came to America and what has happened to the climate, wildlife, natural resources in just a few hundred years.
I am a nature conservation photographer. I adopt the philosophy of « Leave No Trace ». Even with that we always leave impact on Nature. I travel a lot to Africa to photograph the wildlife. I return I give back, by adopting orphan elephant and Rhinos from David Sheldrick Trust. Up to date I have 22 adopted orphan elephants and two rhinos. I also make donation to a local organization. I always feel that Nature gives more than what I give in return. I posted a thread on a wildlife forum related to the same subject as your video. I asked for who wants on that forum to share with others their thought about the subject and if they would give back to nature in which way they did it. I received a lot of negative comments toward me making it look like a political thing. I was attacked with bad non respectful words soI asked the administrator of that forum to remove my thread. Scott, you do amazing job and I am happy to follow your work.
Scott, you are correct. Here is a quote from my study Bible. “God gives humans the cultural mandate to rule the creation as benevolent kings. Under divine blessing, humans accomplish the cultural mandate by naming and caring for the creation. This activity expresses their bearing the image of the creator King. Fallen people, however, often distort this activity into self-deification and abuse of the creation.”end quote.
I can't believe you're trying to make me think this early in the morning. I really think that there is a careful balance to be had. We are not here to blindly serve nature (despite what some might say), but neither are we to purposefully harm it. Dominion also means to reign or rule over something. I think that most people would agree that successful rulers care for what (whom) they are ruling over and not causing harm. Not to get to religious here, but Christ said that he didn't come to be served but to serve. If Christ, who is/is to be our king came to serve, then that's an attitude that we also need to put forward. I'm thankful for every opportunity that I have to spend with nature and wildlife, and I respect the beauty and diversity found there. I also recognize that there are animals and plants that are put here as food for us, so we must use what is necessary for our needs. It comes down to common sense and balance, in all things.
Thanks for making this video! I completely agree with your premise that we wildlife photographers take from nature and therefore have a corresponding moral duty to give back to nature. I have sadly been disappointed by some wildlife photographers (and even some birders) who only care about taking (pretty photos or views) and don't seem to care about the cost of that taking, much less balancing the scales.
Stewardship is what it’s all about! Being thoughtful and deliberate about our impacts and behaviors is part of being responsible stewards. The Earth is a sacred space that supports all life forms, humans are just one but very impactful species.
Thanks for this video Scott! This is really important subject and we need more people talking about it. Keep preaching please!! I would like to add one additional thing...to cat owners: Keep your cats indoors! This is a real pet peeve of mine. It's such a huge problem for our native birds and I wish it were illegal to let cats roam outdoors.
Excellent topic and video, Scott! This is something that's often on my mind and I do feel I give back more than I take in my nature photography pursuits. My personal list of ways I try and give back are almost identical to yours. Here are a few thoughts on the items you covered. -That bible line is something that really irks me, particularly in the way that many follow it in the Midwest. So many people I work with and know take this literally and I think this is one of the biggest issues we have getting the point of conservation and preservation to larger audiences. Too many see no issues with having 3-10 kids or more, knocking down more and more habitat for economic development and many other things that are simply irresponsible in our day and age. In regards to my potential impact to the habitats and wildlife I pursue, I think they are exceptionally dwarfed when compared to the "normal American" lifestyle. -I live on the border between two states that are both close in size to Germany. Yes, I will often drive 1-3 hours during a day-trip to get to a photographic opportunity. However, I also live about five miles from my job and I spend 99% of my time photographing locally (not flying or taking weeks to drive somewhere). So, I see no real issues regarding carbon footprint for the nature photography I do or that most folks do. I think this issue is really overplayed, especially for so many of us who need to drive far to get to more natural spaces. -Ways I try to "give back" --With money for gear and requirements of living, I don't have a whole lot left, but I do donate money to organizations like TNC and others that have local conservation impacts. --I donate images to several local conservation-minded organizations. I have developed relationships with a few media relations people in these organizations and have told them they can use any of my images for the agreed upon uses. --I participate and lead in invasive species removal and other habitat restoration projects. --I am on the board of a local organization that contributes to nature study, citizen science, education and conservation. This is a very fulfilling use of my time. --I publish a nature photography blog where I try to educate on natural history and share with others who might not think about such things much. --Like Scott, I have planted an abundance of native plants in my suburban yard. -Yes, there should be ethical consideration in how wildlife subjects are approached and the impacts we might have to habitat. However, there are ways to do so ethically! I'm getting tired of hearing how we are doing nothing but bad when we practice our hobby. Several organizations have gone as far to say if we flush a bird, we've gone too far and that bird nests should never be observed and photographed. By studying your subjects and learning their behaviors, observing and photographing can be done with minimal disturbance. I have photographed quite a few nests and if I see I am disturbing something, I will limit my time or not do it at all. The welfare of the subject need come first. I know not all follow this type of reasoning, thereby giving everyone a bad name.
Great Video Scott! I completely respect Nature & I want to believe that I care enough & give back in many ways. Most people who know me know my moto is "WILDLIFE, BECAUSE PEOPLE SUCK" Even though I say it as sort of a joke, there is some truth to my feelings about that statement. I get very upset when I see people disrespect nature. I see it a lot at one of the wildlife areas I go to. I have always reported people who break the law there over the years. In fact, the manager/game warden gave me their personal cell number to contact them for quick response & I have used it quite a few times. They know I am always aware of trying to protect the area & wildlife in it. I try to do my part & even educate people I see doing dumb stuff. Sometimes they are receptive, other times I had the person in my face. I can honestly say I feel more anxiety going out in public places to photograph wildlife lately instead of the relaxing peaceful feeling I was looking for sadly. Anyway, good video & hopefully this will make people think & become more aware. :)
As a Christian I believe that we are to be stewards of the earth. Having dominion, in my mind, means that we have a responsibility to the earth and animals to protect it and make flourish, that is for food, for enjoyment, etc. If God only created them for food or whatever people think, he probably would have only made cows and chickens… but the sheer number of beautiful animals shows his artistry and leads me to protect his creation.
I interpret the Bible verse the way you do, Scott. To "have dominion over" the Earth means to manage it and to be trustworthy stewards of it. But I also believe that the reason God created all of the animals and plants is for humans to enjoy them. So yes, in a way, it is all about us. But just because it is all about us does not mean that we can act selfishly. God wants us to love and cherish and protect all of the species that He created so that future generations of humans can enjoy them as we have been able to enjoy them. Of course, if someone believes that everything "just evolved" then they will have a very different outlook than I do about our role and position on Earth.
It is often said people are either consumptive or non-consumptive users. I disagree with that. We are all consumptive users. I try to think if I am having a positive, neutral, or negative impact on my time out doing photography. I sometimes will not disclose areas I photograph so they don't negatively overrun or impact the location or wildlife.
You are very right that it is a balance act, we as a species have disrupted nature to a very difficult level. A lot of this is due to intolerance. I like to photograph reptiles when I have the chance to. But I cannot tell you how many of my neighbors, tell me they just kill them on sight. I grow organic gardens and to be fair mostly because I like to do macro photography on plants with colorful insects. But my vegetables grow fine without any pesticides, and I think healthier. But I have seen a lot of people that should know better go chasing after wildlife phone in hand trying to get a picture. Or people that bring their children with them to a park to experience nature as they spray a large fog or insect repellent around themselves and leave wrappers I guess as a trail in case they forget where they parked or something. For me I bring a reusable water bottle, I small seat, and dress properly for my environment and then just wait out to see what comes by. I like to think nature has taught me to relax more and that most birds are jerks. But it is those moments of the unexpected that sometimes give me my best images. I hope that as I share my images I can hopefully reach one other person that will look at that image and think wow that is nice I need to learn more about nature.
Yeah....IMHO driving 1 hour (emisions) with a high-tech $20K equipment to take some pictures of nature and.... despite being careful almost always causing some disturbance to it .....does not check in as a benefit for nature
A very brave topic to bring up :) But you bring up some very good points that need to be discussed, as there is a grey line in these concepts from similar discussions I have had with some photographers, especially macro with insects compared to say furry critters
Yes!! That’s exactly how I feel. Nature is a gift and we should lovingly respect and steward this precious gift. I also try not to interrupt the wildlife around me, especially sensitive species. I know I have though, unfortunately, especially early on, while I was still learning. I love the idea of giving back too. All of those ideas are so great. Especially when we already have a platform on socials to educate people about wildlife and what the environmental concerns are.
Excellent thoughtful video. I participate in a number of photography forums and it's amazing the number of people who are conspicuous consumers when it comes to the latest cameras and lenses and how many people make a number of foreign trips or cross-country trips each year solely to photograph wildlife. How many of those people give back in any meaningful way, I have no idea but I'd not be surprised if it was comparatively few. Having spent almost all of my working life in natural resource management I've been continuously saddened by the folks who you'd think would have some respect for the resources but do not. I remember a leading figure in conservation in Pennsylvania in the 1960s-70s whose motto was "Resource First" -- I haven't heard that since.
Who was that leading figure? I lived the first 38 years of my life in Pennsylvania, and would love to know who that was. By any chance, was it Ned Smith? As a child/teen in PA in the 1970s and 1980s, Ned's writing and artwork instilled in me a great deal of respect for natural resources.
I've read the Bible... That's what God said when He gave permission to Peter the Apostle... To eat meat... Do we eat meat? It's easy to interpret now what God said 2000 years ago 😊 . I wish you good light at photo my friend
Driving to different birding locations I have hit 3 birds over 3 years, completely unavoidable small birds darting across the road. I hope to soon put up some nest boxes and eventually plant some native trees to help my negative impact. In my opinion driving is the worst thing a birder could possibly do, unfortunately it's necessary for us to enjoy remote locations, next on the list would be disturbing nest sights.
Nest photography strikes me as odd. I saw an image that was highly placed in Bird Photog of the year and it looked to clearly be a wide angle photo of a bird on a nest (probably 1-2 feet away) and I thought it just didn't feel right.
Great and thought-provoking video Scott! I really enjoy these videos from you - a nice change from the many videos (not just yours) and gear and techniques. I am no longer of a religious mindset, but have long believed in the concept that we are stewards. We have the power to destroy most of life on earth as we currently know it we don't take care of it, so in my mind we have no choice but to take care of this fragile place we call home. That carries over into my day job, which is environment-focused. In terms of photography, I have a sort of symbiotic relationship with my favourite photography spot very close to where I live. I started shooting there in spring 2020 because the place was under threat of development. I used both my photography skills and my professional skills to support the successful effort to save this amazing little urban forest and wetland. Since the city council reversed their decision in July 2020, I have continued to go back, and I have spent hundreds of hours there, observing and photographing the wildlife. I share photos on a local Facebook page devoted to protecting the forest/wetland, and use the photos to tell stories of what I observe there, to share with the community and further raise awareness of this amazing place. Do I have some impact on the forest/wetland? Certainly, although I try to minimize that impact. Do the positive outcomes of the photos/stories that I share outweigh the impact that I have? I think that they do. The symbiotic aspect comes in the benefit that I gain from all of this - the tangible and intangible. The hundreds of hours spent there have been good for my physical and mental health, and the quality of my wildlife photography has vastly improved as I have honed my skills there. I have become very protective of the place, and view it as "my marsh" since I have spent so much time there, and worked to save it.
Good points. While some of the extreme, egregious actions of some unethical photographers may have some minute impact on birds/wildlife, the fact that we don’t oppose the legion of unempathetic, unevolved knuckle-dragging hunters who venture out on a regular basis and truly KILL these defenceless, sentient creatures FOR FUN, borders on self-flagellation.
Hi Scott, I love your quick thoughts videos. Always interesting topics and this one is very thoughtful because in my life as an amateur nature photographer, I always have these questions in mind - every time. I really enjoy bird watching and photography, it's what I do most in my free time. I really like talking about this topic because I've seen such disrespectful and sad behavior from other photographers who only care about likes and votes on social media for not so good pictures... Either way, everyone has to wonder about a line to not cross and when to stop shooting and go back. I will add something that I found quite interesting : watching is learning and learning is in some way protecting. Thanks for the message you put in this video, your really nailed it ! Keep up working... cheers from France ;)
Another thought provoking video from the Socrates of bird photography, Scott Keys. I've had this question lingering in my head for a while now. I take all these photos. What good is it? I enjoy it but how can it help the birds? What's the best way to give back? We have a small Facebook birding group in North Queensland, Australia, and I might pose the question to them. I also write a bird photography piece in our newsletter. A small piece on this issue would be worthy. OK if I use some of your info and cite this video Scott? So I'm pondering the best way to give back I don't know right yet I don't really know quite yet. I certainly think we are stewards that is for sure.
I work on the basis of minimum footprint. Ideally take the image without changing behaviour of the critter. Doesn’t work often but can remember shooting a mountain hare for an hour, 20 feet away and then leaving his world and they didn’t move- magic. In terms of giving back I like to share my images and hopefully encourage others to embrace wildlife , either directly or through organisations like the RSPB Bob
Scott, When you grow up poor and hunting is one of your means of eating you have a slightly (albeit) not significantly different perspective. In that case, you take what you need and recognize that nature will provide when you need it (hopefully). This doesn’t obviate the need for giving back by teaching good hunting habits, respect for nature and only taking what you need. Now that I am no longer in that situation I am more appreciative of the wildlife around me and the beauty and balance they provide. This is a very thought provoking piece and I am glad you did it. Thanks. Having said that if you have info on native plants to N. Alabama that I could plant to feed birds I would really appreciate it. Thanks, again.
Native plants down there will be much different but check out anything by Doug Tallamy (lots of public free info) and there are websites that are great resources for finding local plants. Plant something in the mondarda family though for sure (attracts hummingbirds), also small shrubs can be wonderful along the edges of property
I believe we are stewards, that bible quote makes my skin crawl. But unfortunately I believe that most of humanity thinks we have dominion. Or maybe most of humanity ks nit even aware that they think that. Look at the state of nature and wildlife, look at how we plunder the seas, look at how we mass breed and slaughter animals. It is mental. I live in a small but crowded country where there is a lot of pressure on nature. Nature has very little room, so I just stick to the paths and follow the rules to minimize my impact. If only other people would follow the rules too. And yes, I try to make better choices with food and my consumption. I donate money. But what I like as well, is that my friends, whom are not really into nature, ask me questions about my images. I can inform them about the state of the environment, the animals etc. Hopefully this will help spread the message that we need to take care of our environment.
That's a fantastic topic, Scott. I think about this a lot. Here are a few things I do: 1. Plant native plants and remove invasives 2. Volunteer leading birding walks and classes, which I hope helps inspire others to care more about nature 3. Collect trash in some of my favorite photography sites 4. contribute data to several citizen science projects 5. Travel That last one may be a bit controversial. I think you said CO2 emissions were the number one response you received from your polling. Also, I've noticed a culture of "travel shaming" developing over the last few years, and I don't meant to diminish the existential threat posed by climate change, but I think many people fail to realize just how important it is to travel to places of high ecological importance (especially in developing countries). Traveling to these places for ecotourism and spending thousands on meals, lodging, guides, etc. puts a real dollar value on keeping the ecology intact. Costa Rica is a shining example of how travel can lead to ecological preservation. However, when I traveled there during the COVID lockdowns I saw several groups of gold prospectors taking advantage of the lack of tourist traffic. They were all along a river in a national park digging waist-deep pits along the edges. I witnessed similar anecdotes in Amazon Rainforest around that time too. People, particularly in poorer countries, can't afford not to exploit natural resources if they aren't given an alternative means of making a living. That said, I think travel for photography/ecotourism is generally a good thing on balance.
Scott, great thoughts. Since you love photographing ducks as I do - "National Geographic says that every year , hunters purchase one million of the $25 stamps, with 98 percent of proceeds going toward acquiring and protecting wetlands and purchasing conservation easements. If even half of the country's 45.1 million birders purchased Duck stamps which are available at sporting good stores, national wildlife refuges, and online an additional $1.1 billion would be raised annually"
Really great quick thoughts video! I believe, as a hobbiest wildlife photographer, I may have disrupted natural environments taking photos. Not intentionally to cause harm, but at times causing subjects to fly away or move away. It’s always a goal of mine to try and be as invisible as possible but it’s not always easy. I do think that giving back to nature is important and necessary. I have joined some volunteer organizations in my community and have taken a big interest in native plants 😉 Thank you for that. Great content as always :)
With quotes like that from Scripture it’s very easy for people to proof-text and not see everything that relates to it. Scripture is clear we are stewards. In any case, I agree overall. I try not to do have much impact on the environment but just existing is an impact. I think the worst is by people who intentionally (often also unintentionally) do things that disturb or harm the environment. The leading thing is probably the use of plastics and electronics.
Hi Scott! Thank you for for very informative and interesting video. I have a question- What gimbal or head you would recommend for the following setup: Sigma 60-600mm sport and a mirrorless camera with total weight around 3 kilos. Its a “ pull” focus lens wich causes the shift of the center of gravity when zooming in or out. Thank you !
check out gimbal review videos. There's a Benro I like (and a travel option that works well if that's what you need). The Leofoto fluid head. I use a PMG Katana Jr. There's not one right answer
I like these thought videos - First we are Stewarts, Foot-print, well there's no way to keep from us creating a footprint - if you move about your leaving, distracting, taking, I guess for me I believe after years of interacting with Wildlife and their environment I'm able to recognize when it is becoming negative and alter what I'm doing when I notice this is happening. Habituating Wildlife, well unless you're in areas like " Designated Wilderness" I believe all animals to are habituated to Humans, much like there's no way not to leave a footprint - It's the degree at which they are, some species are more tolerant than others regarding it, again you have to learn to recognize those signs when it's too much for a particular animal or species. Feeding - artificially like corn piles or bird feeders in my opinion are okay in short durations, as they do habituate an animal to them and then they forget how to forage on their own, plus most of what we put out isn't necessarily good for them either. I'll put thousands of miles on in pursuit of Wildlife - but I also spend thousands of dollars each year on creating Wildlife habitat and planting those foods they prefer, naturally this also takes hundreds of hours to accomplish. We just literally spent 11,000 creating habitat on our farm last week. I feel we (me & my family) give way more to conservation and being Stewarts than we ever take on a yearly basis. Sorry for the long reply - great video.
@@cwetfeet - OH FORGIVE ME - did I hurt your sense righteous somehow? I'm sure you NEVER make such mistakes while typing, I'll try better in the future - maybe even send my replies to you for editorial before I post, how does that sound?
You said we’re stewards and I believe that. I’ve organized and built a bluebird trail in my community park, built a native meadow with a pond at my house. I don’t know that I’ve ever scaled what I take from what I give, but I really hope I’m giving back in a constructive way. This was a great video and inspires me to look at more ways to give back. Thank you Scott, this message needs to be heard by more than just wildlife photographers.
Yes! We are stewards over our environment. Our responsibility is to care for and be respectful of the wildlife we enjoy
We share the Earth with nature. We are part of nature. To think that we can do anything with wildlife because of taking the word ‘dominance’ literally, is, just ignorant. Native Americans lived here for I believe 22,000 years. Their way of life was sustainable. We called them heathens. Yet, look what happened when the Europeans came to America and what has happened to the climate, wildlife, natural resources in just a few hundred years.
Good thoughtful reflection ! Without the notion of stewardship concept - there might soon be little left to dominate !
I am a nature conservation photographer. I adopt the philosophy of « Leave No Trace ». Even with that we always leave impact on Nature. I travel a lot to Africa to photograph the wildlife. I return I give back, by adopting orphan elephant and Rhinos from David Sheldrick Trust. Up to date I have 22 adopted orphan elephants and two rhinos. I also make donation to a local organization. I always feel that Nature gives more than what I give in return.
I posted a thread on a wildlife forum related to the same subject as your video. I asked for who wants on that forum to share with others their thought about the subject and if they would give back to nature in which way they did it. I received a lot of negative comments toward me making it look like a political thing. I was attacked with bad non respectful words soI asked the administrator of that forum to remove my thread.
Scott, you do amazing job and I am happy to follow your work.
Scott, you are correct. Here is a quote from my study Bible. “God gives humans the cultural mandate to rule the creation as benevolent kings. Under divine blessing, humans accomplish the cultural mandate by naming and caring for the creation. This activity expresses their bearing the image of the creator King. Fallen people, however, often distort this activity into self-deification and abuse of the creation.”end quote.
I can't believe you're trying to make me think this early in the morning.
I really think that there is a careful balance to be had. We are not here to blindly serve nature (despite what some might say), but neither are we to purposefully harm it. Dominion also means to reign or rule over something. I think that most people would agree that successful rulers care for what (whom) they are ruling over and not causing harm. Not to get to religious here, but Christ said that he didn't come to be served but to serve. If Christ, who is/is to be our king came to serve, then that's an attitude that we also need to put forward.
I'm thankful for every opportunity that I have to spend with nature and wildlife, and I respect the beauty and diversity found there. I also recognize that there are animals and plants that are put here as food for us, so we must use what is necessary for our needs. It comes down to common sense and balance, in all things.
Thanks for making this video! I completely agree with your premise that we wildlife photographers take from nature and therefore have a corresponding moral duty to give back to nature. I have sadly been disappointed by some wildlife photographers (and even some birders) who only care about taking (pretty photos or views) and don't seem to care about the cost of that taking, much less balancing the scales.
Stewardship is what it’s all about! Being thoughtful and deliberate about our impacts and behaviors is part of being responsible stewards. The Earth is a sacred space that supports all life forms, humans are just one but very impactful species.
Thanks for this video Scott! This is really important subject and we need more people talking about it. Keep preaching please!!
I would like to add one additional thing...to cat owners: Keep your cats indoors! This is a real pet peeve of mine. It's such a huge problem for our native birds and I wish it were illegal to let cats roam outdoors.
Great thoughts and directions. Thank you Scott!
Excellent topic and video, Scott! This is something that's often on my mind and I do feel I give back more than I take in my nature photography pursuits. My personal list of ways I try and give back are almost identical to yours. Here are a few thoughts on the items you covered.
-That bible line is something that really irks me, particularly in the way that many follow it in the Midwest. So many people I work with and know take this literally and I think this is one of the biggest issues we have getting the point of conservation and preservation to larger audiences. Too many see no issues with having 3-10 kids or more, knocking down more and more habitat for economic development and many other things that are simply irresponsible in our day and age. In regards to my potential impact to the habitats and wildlife I pursue, I think they are exceptionally dwarfed when compared to the "normal American" lifestyle.
-I live on the border between two states that are both close in size to Germany. Yes, I will often drive 1-3 hours during a day-trip to get to a photographic opportunity. However, I also live about five miles from my job and I spend 99% of my time photographing locally (not flying or taking weeks to drive somewhere). So, I see no real issues regarding carbon footprint for the nature photography I do or that most folks do. I think this issue is really overplayed, especially for so many of us who need to drive far to get to more natural spaces.
-Ways I try to "give back"
--With money for gear and requirements of living, I don't have a whole lot left, but I do donate money to organizations like TNC and others that have local conservation impacts.
--I donate images to several local conservation-minded organizations. I have developed relationships with a few media relations people in these organizations and have told them they can use any of my images for the agreed upon uses.
--I participate and lead in invasive species removal and other habitat restoration projects.
--I am on the board of a local organization that contributes to nature study, citizen science, education and conservation. This is a very fulfilling use of my time.
--I publish a nature photography blog where I try to educate on natural history and share with others who might not think about such things much.
--Like Scott, I have planted an abundance of native plants in my suburban yard.
-Yes, there should be ethical consideration in how wildlife subjects are approached and the impacts we might have to habitat. However, there are ways to do so ethically! I'm getting tired of hearing how we are doing nothing but bad when we practice our hobby. Several organizations have gone as far to say if we flush a bird, we've gone too far and that bird nests should never be observed and photographed. By studying your subjects and learning their behaviors, observing and photographing can be done with minimal disturbance. I have photographed quite a few nests and if I see I am disturbing something, I will limit my time or not do it at all. The welfare of the subject need come first. I know not all follow this type of reasoning, thereby giving everyone a bad name.
How can I find your blog?
Enjoy your perspective Bill
Great Video Scott! I completely respect Nature & I want to believe that I care enough & give back in many ways. Most people who know me know my moto is "WILDLIFE, BECAUSE PEOPLE SUCK" Even though I say it as sort of a joke, there is some truth to my feelings about that statement. I get very upset when I see people disrespect nature. I see it a lot at one of the wildlife areas I go to. I have always reported people who break the law there over the years. In fact, the manager/game warden gave me their personal cell number to contact them for quick response & I have used it quite a few times. They know I am always aware of trying to protect the area & wildlife in it. I try to do my part & even educate people I see doing dumb stuff. Sometimes they are receptive, other times I had the person in my face. I can honestly say I feel more anxiety going out in public places to photograph wildlife lately instead of the relaxing peaceful feeling I was looking for sadly. Anyway, good video & hopefully this will make people think & become more aware. :)
As a Christian I believe that we are to be stewards of the earth. Having dominion, in my mind, means that we have a responsibility to the earth and animals to protect it and make flourish, that is for food, for enjoyment, etc.
If God only created them for food or whatever people think, he probably would have only made cows and chickens… but the sheer number of beautiful animals shows his artistry and leads me to protect his creation.
I interpret the Bible verse the way you do, Scott. To "have dominion over" the Earth means to manage it and to be trustworthy stewards of it. But I also believe that the reason God created all of the animals and plants is for humans to enjoy them. So yes, in a way, it is all about us. But just because it is all about us does not mean that we can act selfishly. God wants us to love and cherish and protect all of the species that He created so that future generations of humans can enjoy them as we have been able to enjoy them. Of course, if someone believes that everything "just evolved" then they will have a very different outlook than I do about our role and position on Earth.
It is often said people are either consumptive or non-consumptive users. I disagree with that. We are all consumptive users. I try to think if I am having a positive, neutral, or negative impact on my time out doing photography. I sometimes will not disclose areas I photograph so they don't negatively overrun or impact the location or wildlife.
You are very right that it is a balance act, we as a species have disrupted nature to a very difficult level. A lot of this is due to intolerance. I like to photograph reptiles when I have the chance to. But I cannot tell you how many of my neighbors, tell me they just kill them on sight. I grow organic gardens and to be fair mostly because I like to do macro photography on plants with colorful insects. But my vegetables grow fine without any pesticides, and I think healthier. But I have seen a lot of people that should know better go chasing after wildlife phone in hand trying to get a picture. Or people that bring their children with them to a park to experience nature as they spray a large fog or insect repellent around themselves and leave wrappers I guess as a trail in case they forget where they parked or something. For me I bring a reusable water bottle, I small seat, and dress properly for my environment and then just wait out to see what comes by. I like to think nature has taught me to relax more and that most birds are jerks. But it is those moments of the unexpected that sometimes give me my best images. I hope that as I share my images I can hopefully reach one other person that will look at that image and think wow that is nice I need to learn more about nature.
Yeah....IMHO driving 1 hour (emisions) with a high-tech $20K equipment to take some pictures of nature and.... despite being careful almost always causing some disturbance to it .....does not check in as a benefit for nature
A very brave topic to bring up :)
But you bring up some very good points that need to be discussed, as there is a grey line in these concepts from similar discussions I have had with some photographers, especially macro with insects compared to say furry critters
Yes!! That’s exactly how I feel. Nature is a gift and we should lovingly respect and steward this precious gift. I also try not to interrupt the wildlife around me, especially sensitive species. I know I have though, unfortunately, especially early on, while I was still learning. I love the idea of giving back too. All of those ideas are so great. Especially when we already have a platform on socials to educate people about wildlife and what the environmental concerns are.
Lots of good messages, and I have absolutely no doubt that you give back more than you take through your influence.
good consciousness about nature, my best wishes...
Excellent thoughtful video. I participate in a number of photography forums and it's amazing the number of people who are conspicuous consumers when it comes to the latest cameras and lenses and how many people make a number of foreign trips or cross-country trips each year solely to photograph wildlife. How many of those people give back in any meaningful way, I have no idea but I'd not be surprised if it was comparatively few. Having spent almost all of my working life in natural resource management I've been continuously saddened by the folks who you'd think would have some respect for the resources but do not. I remember a leading figure in conservation in Pennsylvania in the 1960s-70s whose motto was "Resource First" -- I haven't heard that since.
Who was that leading figure? I lived the first 38 years of my life in Pennsylvania, and would love to know who that was. By any chance, was it Ned Smith? As a child/teen in PA in the 1970s and 1980s, Ned's writing and artwork instilled in me a great deal of respect for natural resources.
I've read the Bible... That's what God said when He gave permission to Peter the Apostle... To eat meat... Do we eat meat? It's easy to interpret now what God said 2000 years ago 😊 . I wish you good light at photo my friend
Humans. The most invasive species of them all.
Driving to different birding locations I have hit 3 birds over 3 years, completely unavoidable small birds darting across the road. I hope to soon put up some nest boxes and eventually plant some native trees to help my negative impact. In my opinion driving is the worst thing a birder could possibly do, unfortunately it's necessary for us to enjoy remote locations, next on the list would be disturbing nest sights.
Nest photography strikes me as odd. I saw an image that was highly placed in Bird Photog of the year and it looked to clearly be a wide angle photo of a bird on a nest (probably 1-2 feet away) and I thought it just didn't feel right.
Great and thought-provoking video Scott! I really enjoy these videos from you - a nice change from the many videos (not just yours) and gear and techniques. I am no longer of a religious mindset, but have long believed in the concept that we are stewards. We have the power to destroy most of life on earth as we currently know it we don't take care of it, so in my mind we have no choice but to take care of this fragile place we call home. That carries over into my day job, which is environment-focused. In terms of photography, I have a sort of symbiotic relationship with my favourite photography spot very close to where I live. I started shooting there in spring 2020 because the place was under threat of development. I used both my photography skills and my professional skills to support the successful effort to save this amazing little urban forest and wetland. Since the city council reversed their decision in July 2020, I have continued to go back, and I have spent hundreds of hours there, observing and photographing the wildlife. I share photos on a local Facebook page devoted to protecting the forest/wetland, and use the photos to tell stories of what I observe there, to share with the community and further raise awareness of this amazing place. Do I have some impact on the forest/wetland? Certainly, although I try to minimize that impact. Do the positive outcomes of the photos/stories that I share outweigh the impact that I have? I think that they do. The symbiotic aspect comes in the benefit that I gain from all of this - the tangible and intangible. The hundreds of hours spent there have been good for my physical and mental health, and the quality of my wildlife photography has vastly improved as I have honed my skills there. I have become very protective of the place, and view it as "my marsh" since I have spent so much time there, and worked to save it.
Good points. While some of the extreme, egregious actions of some unethical photographers may have some minute impact on birds/wildlife, the fact that we don’t oppose the legion of unempathetic, unevolved knuckle-dragging hunters who venture out on a regular basis and truly KILL these defenceless, sentient creatures FOR FUN, borders on self-flagellation.
The is an archaic mindset of trophy hunting that I can't wrap my head around.
Hi Scott, I love your quick thoughts videos. Always interesting topics and this one is very thoughtful because in my life as an amateur nature photographer, I always have these questions in mind - every time. I really enjoy bird watching and photography, it's what I do most in my free time.
I really like talking about this topic because I've seen such disrespectful and sad behavior from other photographers who only care about likes and votes on social media for not so good pictures... Either way, everyone has to wonder about a line to not cross and when to stop shooting and go back.
I will add something that I found quite interesting : watching is learning and learning is in some way protecting.
Thanks for the message you put in this video, your really nailed it !
Keep up working... cheers from France ;)
Appreciate that !
Another thought provoking video from the Socrates of bird photography, Scott Keys. I've had this question lingering in my head for a while now. I take all these photos. What good is it? I enjoy it but how can it help the birds? What's the best way to give back? We have a small Facebook birding group in North Queensland, Australia, and I might pose the question to them. I also write a bird photography piece in our newsletter. A small piece on this issue would be worthy. OK if I use some of your info and cite this video Scott?
So I'm pondering the best way to give back I don't know right yet I don't really know quite yet. I certainly think we are stewards that is for sure.
Feel free to share
I work on the basis of minimum footprint. Ideally take the image without changing behaviour of the critter. Doesn’t work often but can remember shooting a mountain hare for an hour, 20 feet away and then leaving his world and they didn’t move- magic.
In terms of giving back I like to share my images and hopefully encourage others to embrace wildlife , either directly or through organisations like the RSPB
Bob
wonderful
Scott, When you grow up poor and hunting is one of your means of eating you have a slightly (albeit) not significantly different perspective. In that case, you take what you need and recognize that nature will provide when you need it (hopefully). This doesn’t obviate the need for giving back by teaching good hunting habits, respect for nature and only taking what you need. Now that I am no longer in that situation I am more appreciative of the wildlife around me and the beauty and balance they provide. This is a very thought provoking piece and I am glad you did it. Thanks.
Having said that if you have info on native plants to N. Alabama that I could plant to feed birds I would really appreciate it. Thanks, again.
Native plants down there will be much different but check out anything by Doug Tallamy (lots of public free info) and there are websites that are great resources for finding local plants.
Plant something in the mondarda family though for sure (attracts hummingbirds), also small shrubs can be wonderful along the edges of property
I believe we are stewards, that bible quote makes my skin crawl. But unfortunately I believe that most of humanity thinks we have dominion. Or maybe most of humanity ks nit even aware that they think that. Look at the state of nature and wildlife, look at how we plunder the seas, look at how we mass breed and slaughter animals. It is mental.
I live in a small but crowded country where there is a lot of pressure on nature. Nature has very little room, so I just stick to the paths and follow the rules to minimize my impact. If only other people would follow the rules too.
And yes, I try to make better choices with food and my consumption. I donate money. But what I like as well, is that my friends, whom are not really into nature, ask me questions about my images. I can inform them about the state of the environment, the animals etc. Hopefully this will help spread the message that we need to take care of our environment.
The photos can often start a conversation or stir an interest. Good job.
Buy duck stamps. An easy way to support wetlands habitat and get admission into NWR’s for the year. Win-win.
nice one~!
Great Idea and topic. Thank you!
Agree 100% with you.
I agree with you 100%
I give bird seeds. I take photos.
That's a fantastic topic, Scott. I think about this a lot. Here are a few things I do:
1. Plant native plants and remove invasives
2. Volunteer leading birding walks and classes, which I hope helps inspire others to care more about nature
3. Collect trash in some of my favorite photography sites
4. contribute data to several citizen science projects
5. Travel
That last one may be a bit controversial. I think you said CO2 emissions were the number one response you received from your polling. Also, I've noticed a culture of "travel shaming" developing over the last few years, and I don't meant to diminish the existential threat posed by climate change, but I think many people fail to realize just how important it is to travel to places of high ecological importance (especially in developing countries). Traveling to these places for ecotourism and spending thousands on meals, lodging, guides, etc. puts a real dollar value on keeping the ecology intact. Costa Rica is a shining example of how travel can lead to ecological preservation. However, when I traveled there during the COVID lockdowns I saw several groups of gold prospectors taking advantage of the lack of tourist traffic. They were all along a river in a national park digging waist-deep pits along the edges. I witnessed similar anecdotes in Amazon Rainforest around that time too. People, particularly in poorer countries, can't afford not to exploit natural resources if they aren't given an alternative means of making a living. That said, I think travel for photography/ecotourism is generally a good thing on balance.
Great point on Costa Rica as an example.
Scott, great thoughts. Since you love photographing ducks as I do - "National Geographic says that every year , hunters purchase one million of the $25 stamps, with 98 percent of proceeds going toward acquiring and protecting wetlands and purchasing conservation easements. If even half of the country's 45.1 million birders purchased Duck stamps which are available at sporting good stores, national wildlife refuges, and online an additional $1.1 billion would be raised annually"
Really great quick thoughts video! I believe, as a hobbiest wildlife photographer, I may have disrupted natural environments taking photos. Not intentionally to cause harm, but at times causing subjects to fly away or move away. It’s always a goal of mine to try and be as invisible as possible but it’s not always easy. I do think that giving back to nature is important and necessary. I have joined some volunteer organizations in my community and have taken a big interest in native plants 😉 Thank you for that. Great content as always :)
With quotes like that from Scripture it’s very easy for people to proof-text and not see everything that relates to it. Scripture is clear we are stewards. In any case, I agree overall. I try not to do have much impact on the environment but just existing is an impact. I think the worst is by people who intentionally (often also unintentionally) do things that disturb or harm the environment. The leading thing is probably the use of plastics and electronics.
Hi Scott! Thank you for for very informative and interesting video.
I have a question-
What gimbal or head you would recommend for the following setup:
Sigma 60-600mm sport and a mirrorless camera with total weight around 3 kilos. Its a “ pull” focus lens wich causes the shift of the center of gravity when zooming in or out.
Thank you !
check out gimbal review videos. There's a Benro I like (and a travel option that works well if that's what you need). The Leofoto fluid head. I use a PMG Katana Jr. There's not one right answer
@@WildlifeInspired Great! Thank you!!!
I like these thought videos - First we are Stewarts, Foot-print, well there's no way to keep from us creating a footprint - if you move about your leaving, distracting, taking, I guess for me I believe after years of interacting with Wildlife and their environment I'm able to recognize when it is becoming negative and alter what I'm doing when I notice this is happening. Habituating Wildlife, well unless you're in areas like " Designated Wilderness" I believe all animals to are habituated to Humans, much like there's no way not to leave a footprint - It's the degree at which they are, some species are more tolerant than others regarding it, again you have to learn to recognize those signs when it's too much for a particular animal or species. Feeding - artificially like corn piles or bird feeders in my opinion are okay in short durations, as they do habituate an animal to them and then they forget how to forage on their own, plus most of what we put out isn't necessarily good for them either. I'll put thousands of miles on in pursuit of Wildlife - but I also spend thousands of dollars each year on creating Wildlife habitat and planting those foods they prefer, naturally this also takes hundreds of hours to accomplish. We just literally spent 11,000 creating habitat on our farm last week. I feel we (me & my family) give way more to conservation and being Stewarts than we ever take on a yearly basis. Sorry for the long reply - great video.
Stewards not stewarts.
@@cwetfeet - OH FORGIVE ME - did I hurt your sense righteous somehow? I'm sure you NEVER make such mistakes while typing, I'll try better in the future - maybe even send my replies to you for editorial before I post, how does that sound?
You said we’re stewards and I believe that. I’ve organized and built a bluebird trail in my community park, built a native meadow with a pond at my house. I don’t know that I’ve ever scaled what I take from what I give, but I really hope I’m giving back in a constructive way. This was a great video and inspires me to look at more ways to give back.
Thank you Scott, this message needs to be heard by more than just wildlife photographers.
Thanks!
Great thought provoking video!
GREAT VIDEO SCOTT!
Didn’t know I was coming to a Church sermon today 🤣