A Question of Preservation
Should I share the location of the photographs in this blog post? Let’s discuss!
Sharing is Caring
I’ve always been happy to share the locations of where my photographs have been taken. There’s been no need for secrecy as most of the spots I have photographed have already been visited by photographers many times before. That’s not to say that I don’t think they are worth photographing. Far from in fact. While the location may have been photographed, my photograph will be unique to me and the conditions I experienced. (If you are interested in hearing more of my thoughts on this topic, why not check out this blog post here.)
At the start of 2021, I even went as far as to create a free locations map on which I plotted all the locations that featured photographs from this blog. Since creating the map I’ve been keeping it up to date so you can easily see the locations I visit and the photographs I’ve captured there. Just click on Free Locations Map in the menu above or click on this link here.
Woodland - Nikon Z fc with Nikkor Z 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR at 16mm, f/7.1, 1/80th sec at ISO 3200, handheld.
To Tell or Not to Tell
While I will continue to share my locations and update my map, I photographed a location the other morning which has made me question if I should share the location. Some photographers like to guard their locations. I do sometimes find this amusing. It can be rather presumptuous that they assume that their photograph is so amazing that people will be so inspired that they just must go there. Or it could be because they are worried that someone will take a better photo? Or that they believe photographers must discover a location through hard work?
Woodland - Nikon Z fc with Nikkor Z 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR at 16mm, f/5.6, 1/80th sec at ISO 6400, handheld.
None of those reasons apply to this situation. For me, this is a question of preservation. These ancient woodlands are precious and beautiful. As has been seen with Wistman’s Wood, an increase in footfall (from both photographers and tourists alike) has led to the woodland being damaged. I don’t want to see this happen to this woodland. While I’m not suggesting that my photographs will inspire a legion of people to visit this location, I’d still rather not put a GPS pointer on it.
The location of this woodland isn’t a big secret though. It’s on the OS maps for all to discover. I just happened to discover it when I was out walking my dog one day. Even if I did publicise the location, the effort required to get there would put most people off anyway. Perhaps it won’t matter if I tell you all where it is?
Woodland - Nikon Z fc with Nikkor Z 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR at 26mm, f/5.6, 1/80th sec at ISO 6400, handheld.
I’m also fully aware of the impact my visit had on the location. I recently published a video called “Is My Photography Impacting the Environment?”, and through the production of that video, I have become a lot more aware of the potential impact my photography has on the places I love. As I walked through the woodland I found myself carefully considering where I was stepping and what I was putting my hand on. I was very aware of the sensitivity of my environment.
If in Doubt, Ask the Internet for an Opinion!
I also thought this topic would make for a good video as well. I thought it would be interesting to see what comments people would leave.
So, the question is, am I right to hold back on sharing the location? As I’ve explained in this blog post, it’s not because of some selfish photography-related reason, I just don’t want to be, even partially, responsible for an increase in footfall. What are your thoughts? Please let me know in the comments below.
Woodland - Nikon Z fc with Nikkor Z 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR at 16mm, f/5.6, 1/80th sec at ISO 6400, handheld.
Is My Photography Impacting the Environment?
Access to Daymark Tower has been closed off because of the environmental impact from visitors. In my latest video, I look at the reasons why, consider the impact my photography has on the environment, and capture some landscape photographs of this iconic Devon location along the South West Coast Path.
Daymark Tower - Closed to Visitors
It was a few months ago that people started to mention to me that one of my favourite locations along the South West Coast Path, Daymark Tower, was closed to the public. As I got more information it appeared that the short path that leads from the track to the tower had been locked shut by the farmer due to the damage that was being done to his crops by visitors. This didn’t exactly come as a surprise to me.
As I know the location well, I knew that it was still possible to get good shots of the tower from the track side of the fence. Experience has also taught me that the crops start to look their best (photographically speaking) around June and July, so I thought it was time to visit the tower to take some photographs and look at the access restrictions myself.
Here’s how I got on and what I saw.
While it’s easy for me to criticise other people, making this video has made me think about the impact my photography has on the environment. Issues such are carbon emissions are easy to identify, but what I need to start thinking about is the damage my feet (including those on my tripod) are doing to the ground around me. Over the years I’m sure I’ve been careless so the best thing I can do is to learn from those mistakes and improve my behaviours.
I hope by reading this and by watching the video that a few of you will also consider how you impact your local environment when you are taking photographs. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
