The perfect shot

Greetings All

As a newbie to underwater photography I find it hard to accept when I see UW photographers hanging on or holding onto the reef to get that ultimate shot. This really upset me in Lembeh. Is this a standard practice for UW photographers. I was taught don't touch, tease or take. Is it impossible to take good pics without doing the above. Just a question?

Thanx

Paul

Hi Paul,

Yes, we've had this debate MANY times on wetpixel...

I could tell you stories of Reknowned photographers having Gorgonians pruned in Lembeh to improve shots of Pygmy Sea horses for publication. There IS little or no control by guides in Lembeh at any of the resorts, whatever they preach on Websites. So, yes, it's down to the individual to maintain a personally high standard of care and uphold the moral issues too.

Cheers,

Bob

I'm going to be realistic and say that virtually EVERY photographer holds on to "dead" parts of the reef, or at least does the "one finger push-off" after getting in precarious positions. Having said that, I've seen people do it responsibly; they are aware of their surroundings and have respect for the critters.

But some people do exhibit horrible reef destroying behavioUr, which is just... infuriating to watch.

Echoing what others have said - I have seen my fair share of reef abuse - the one time I was totally horrified was when I saw a divemaster in Belize physically smash his strobe into a porcupine fish and force it into the bottom until it puffed itself up. He then took a few shots. The animal was obviously stressed and looked like it was in shock - I know I wouldn't want to be thrown on the ground and then blinded with light. Being a marine biologist, this disgusted me and I voiced my displeasure once we reached the surface. Hopefully, that divemaster will never do that again but who knows...Responsibility lies with the photographer. As much as I love getting an awesome image, sometimes the environment just won't allow it - in those cases I simply revert to being a diver, enjoy the moment/encounter without staring through the viewfinder, and can satisfy myself that I took the proper actions so that others can have the same experience after me...

Regards...

- MP

The shots not worth ruining the environment, or at least that's the motto I try to follow.

That being said, on one of my trips with my LDS, there was a photographer with absolutely no sense of this concept. He crashed into reefs, chased (harassed) marine life, and trampled other divers in an effort to get any shot he could. After witnessing this and trying the "subtle" approach, we eventually had to be very frank with him about his behavior. Did it work you might ask? Yes and no. It did at first, but then he eventually went back to his old tricks. Next trip he's on I'm hoping he doesn't have a camera...

Funnily enough I just added a comment on a different post regarding a similar experience in Lembeh. Numerous so called experienced photographers at KBR showed absolutely no care or concern for the animals they were photographing or the environment they were in. Of all the trips I've done in Asia, this was the worst in that respect. Which is ironic considering they were the first to moan about all the divers from the other resorts that now visit the popular sites and how, over the years, they've noticed animals disappearing or declining.

Being realistic there is no way you can not affect the environment when you're using a camera. Minimising impact, being aware of your surroundings, acting carefully and responsibly should be everyone's guidelines. Hey, it's all karma, right So don't be worried on having to pass an 'opportunity' for whatever reason, your reward will come.........

Andy

virtually EVERY photographer holds on to "dead" parts of the reef, or at least does the "one finger push-off" after getting in precarious positions.

I understand the above but it is really unacceptable when you see a photographer lying all over the reef. A lot of divers I know actually don't like UW photographers because of this and I can understand thier point.

Paul

virtually EVERY photographer holds on to "dead" parts of the reef, or at least does the "one finger push-off" after getting in precarious positions.

I understand the above but it is really unacceptable when you see a photographer lying all over the reef. A lot of divers I know actually don't like UW photographers because of this and I can understand thier point.

I am certainly not suggesting that it is ok to lie on the reef.

Hi!

I think, it's vitally important (sometimes even for the diver ) not to have closer contact than absolutely necessary (e.g. in case of an emergency).

If I have the feeling that I impose stress or harm to a plant|creature I won't continue to try getting a shot.

I designed the "Don't Touch" logo on my website to draw some attention to this fact. Feel free to use it if you share my opinnion that a good shot is possible without leaving a trail of destruction.

Helge ;-)=)

I am always pleased to see that when this topic comes up on wetpixel it always attracts lots of supporting posts.

In 2001 Rouphael & Inglis published the only scientific study into the impacts of underwater photographers on the reef. There dataset is limited but they comment that "More specialised uw photographers typically use bulkier and more expensive camera equipment...they proved to be amongst the most damaging of all divers we observed."

This is the sort of information that could be used by policy makers to ban these most damaging of divers (us) from certain reefs.

I think it is particularly important that well known photographers are best behaved, since when you hear stories like the one above in Lembeh - and that "he" or "she" did that, it provides less experienced photographers with an excuse to misbehave too. However these are often the hardest attitudes to change.

To go back R & I (2001) "research on other recreational activities suggests that as individuals get more committed to a particular specialised pursuit... their behaviour becomes increasingly directed toward achieving goals recognised as important by their specialised peers. Sometimes this can occur at the expense of other goals or values... e.g. ... override caution about damaging fragile corals."

So if peer recognition and respect is what drives a photographer to go too far. We can counter this drive with strong peer pressure to behave underwater. On both a personal level and also with strict controls in competitions and publishing. I think the more publicity we can give this issue the better. Not only does this help us persuade the rest of the diving community that all photographers are not evil reef wreckers. But it also lets our photographic peers know that we think that damaging, destroying and harassing marine life is totally unacceptable.

Sorry for the long, ranting post! Alex

I meant to also add if you want to get a flavour for the public impression of the evil underwater photographer watch the start of Finding Nemo and check out the role of the underwater flashgun!

Some sites here don't allow people to use gloves hoping that it will prevent them from touching anything, which does not always work. But then the water temp here does not get that cold either.

Paul

My feeling on allowing / not allowing gloves is that the people who would touch will touch either way. One of the dive ops I used in Cozumel prohibited gloves, and it made no difference with certain divers, they'd touch, grab, harass with or without gloves.

It all comes down to attitude and awareness.

Photo pros, and particularly cinematographers, are among the worst. I was told that Howard Hall's crew cleared sections of coral and installed permanent "tripod mounts" in the reefs when he shot in Little Cayman. Pros are known to flatten and clear in order to gain improved access to their subjects (some apparently write books about their techniques). They are being paid, sometimes very well, for the shot. Coustou used to dynamite entire reefs so that he could move his ship closer to the action.

The worst casual photographer damage I've seen came on my Komodo trip when we shared a site with the Pelagian. A DM brought a single photographer to a Denise site (during *our* prearranged time I might add) and he absolutely destroyed the place in front of me and the DM. The DM made it clear to me that he would do nothing about it. Money talks LOUD(ly). Since I was set up for Denise shots only, I got nothing from the dive and the coral was damaged for everyone else.

I've seen very aggressive photographers but I've also seen really careless divers. Preserving the reefs takes a top-to-bottom effort with no group singled out. In our disposable society it's a real uphill struggle.

Thanks Craig, I agree with you completely.

I and, hope all of us, strive hard to be very conscious of the environment and what our potential long term impact could be.

On my Lembeh trip which was almost 100 percent photographers, all involved were extremely careful to only touch dead spots and, better yet used no more than the tip of a knitting needle to accomplish this.(professional included) I never saw anyone blantantly laying accross the reef for a shot. I do know I was guilty of brushing up on a coral on one dive and paid for it with a rash on the outside of my hand. (current was an issue here)

I will add that I did actually see another group of divers on a Wall in Bunaken actually kneeling on the wall and hand grabbing a vase coral trying to hold their balance to get a shot. I had actually pulled my knife out and thought about cutting their hand off as they probably had the same type of impact on that coral.

What bothered me was when I went to Roatan. I was both happy and disappointed in the briefing given by the resort prior to commencing the week of diving. They want to protect reefs but made a point of specifically, and only, mentioning photographers and that people should report any they see damaging the reef.

Good thing but, what about the plough hounds with no bouyancy control I saw screwwing vis on top of it. Or the people who have not dove for 5 years and have taken no refresher course prior to getting back into the water on scuba.

How about those who chase marine life down, puff up puffers, touch turtles?

I am all for being extremely careful while diving and understanding the potential long term effects. But, why do we not take the same action against all offenders.

Rant off.

I do agree with Alex, though, that the more experienced divers (photographers among those) must not set a bad example. It's easy to forget sometimes when you are focused on your goals.

The worst behavior that I have observed was during the old Nikonos Shootouts in the Caribbean. The prizes were very good, and many photographers went for it - nothing was sacred in their quest for first prize. The divemasters really pushed buoyancy control and reef conservation, but they also knew that their income depended largely on gratuities, so they mostly kept quiet during this onslaught to their reefs.

Somehow we've got to make trashing the reef as socially unacceptable as... scratching your cojones in public, for example. Whatever.

Jim

what about the plough hounds with no bouyancy control I saw screwwing vis on top of it. Or the people who have not dove for 5 years and have taken no refresher course prior to getting back into the water on scuba.

I could not agree with you more ,I have also seem my fair share of causual divers smashing the reef. It is really sad to see people destroying something that is so precious to us. If we ever see somebody in our dive group doing something wrong we always address it with them after the dive my wife especially. She even took on a professor in Lembeh that was collecting crabs on one of our dives.

We once had a guy that grabbed hold of a small turle and tried to catch a ride, and when we spoke to him afterwards he could not see the wrong in what he had done.

Are some people just stupid or what?

It's good to see a general feeling of care and conservation here, though as was mentioned above, society probably pays a major part in the way others treat the reefs. I'm sure we've all got stories of how other photographers/non photographers have trashed stuff. I know I have. My real concern is how in these so called ecological/environmentally aware times, the situation doesn't seem to have improved. But maybe that's down to the sheer amount of divers and the fact that for many, diving is not viewed as a privelege, rather a thing to do or have done.

Like was said, we photographers and especially dive professionals, whether they need the tips or not, should be setting the best example.

Everyone's so short sighted these days.........

I do agree with Alex, though, that the more experienced divers (photographers among those) must not set a bad example. It's easy to forget sometimes when you are focused on your goals.

I think all photographers, professionals included, should always remember what they are doing, the goal of all photography - capturing images - freezing time and recording visuals so that they may be shared with others. They are articulating their experience visually to others and by damaging the environment around them, they eliminate the chance for others or even themselves to revisit that experience. Regardless of gloves, equipment, or even bouyancy - an unhealthy attitude will cause the most damage. It is nice to see the community support a conservation-minded attitude and have the pride inherent in preserving the envirronment even at the point of restraint in image taking. Take as much pride in how you achieve a shot as you do in the end product and avoid the narrowed vision of image goals. As others have said - example is the best way to teach and never be afraid to voice displeasure over acts of destruction - its your ocean too...

Regards...

- MP