During the semester prior to our summer research, we Loewenstern fellows talked a lot about ethical photography. We even attended a seminar specifically focused on the topic. Most of what we talked about concerned the ethics of photographing other people. Most of what I have personally photographed here in Colombia is of natural landscapes and animals. These subjects necessitate their own ethical considerations.
The ethical presentation of photos of animals is done for purposes that do not harm the animal or its perception directly or indirectly. For example, sharing a photo of a shark with fear-mongering captions indirectly harms shark species across the world by furthering the notion that they are bloodthirsty killers. The converse would be what I am (hopefully) accomplishing here: perpetuating the idea that these reptiles are beautiful animals. This being a blog about conservation, I hope the readers can understand that that is the context for everything I write here. I share these photos because I believe seeing these animals up-close will make one more likely to think positively about or even try to support conservation efforts in Colombia.
2 Comments
Robin
7/21/2017 10:48:59 am
Most people would not even think about the concept of ethical photography. I suppose I can think of it from the point of view of seeing people who live or look differently from the way I do. I suppose part of it is the motivation for taking the photo. Am I taking it to promote this person and their culture or to make fun of it?
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10/31/2017 11:45:19 pm
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Ben JohnsonI am a junior at Rice University majoring in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and minoring in Environmental Studies Archives
June 2017
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