Photography at Elmley
If you intend to photograph the landscape and/or wildlife on your next visit to Elmley please read the following advice and guidance. If you do have any questions please address them to info@elmleynaturereserve.co.uk.
Thank you very much
Photography at Elmley
“There is one hard and fast rule, whose spirit must be observed at all times. The welfare of the subject is more important than the photograph.” The Nature Group of The Royal Photographic Society.
Dear Friends, As you all know Elmley offers incredible opportunities for photography and it is something we welcome along with many other ways to enjoy the wildlife and landscape. However, our priority for Elmley must be the conservation of the wildlife and habitat. This is especially important at this time of year, as we are entering the breeding season. We are sending out these requests to ensure that photography at Elmley continues with minimal disturbance. To do this there are several areas that must be addressed:
- Code of Conduct for nature photographers
- Parking along the entry road
- Use of social media
- Commercial photography at Elmley
- Photography at Elmley. We ask that all photographers act responsibly and with fairness to the wildlife and other visitors to Elmley. All photographers should read and adhere to the Nature Photographer’s Code of Practice.
- Parking along the entry road. You are very welcome to stop on the track and enjoy the opportunity to photograph from your vehicle. Please follow the following guidelines to reduce disturbance: · Of course, please remain in your vehicle at all times – prepare any clothing or equipment before arrival or in the car park · Please stop at an appropriate place where another car can safely pass – the majority of the entry road is 16 feet wide and can accommodate two cars side by side · Do not leave the gravel road to avoid damage to the grass · Use your common sense and discretion – be aware that you are sharing the track with others: whilst the birds are normally not threatened by vehicles, significant clusters of cars will create disturbance to many species. If you see several cars parked together please do not join the line. Car waiting for many hours will be asked to move on.
- Sharing of photos on social media. The sharing of photos on sites such as Flickr has been a great success and we very much welcome it. The Elmley Flickr group is great community and facility for all visitors – regular or first-timers, amateurs and professionals – to share their wonderful photography and learn from each other. However, we all must use it responsibly. We ask you to consider and hopefully follow these reasonable guidelines: · The exact location of the wildlife should not be easily identifiable by the background or stated in any descriptions. · Please wait a day or two before posting photos. · If you see a photo posted by another user that indicates disturbance please report that photo to a site moderator or us.
- Commercial photography. We are aware that there is an increasing number of images taken at Elmley that are used commercially. This is something that we haven’t addressed in the past, but it is no longer something that we can ignore. The team and volunteers at Elmley spend a huge amount of time, effort and money on ensuring that Elmley is continually enhanced and protected for wildlife. We are therefore introducing a licence for commercial photography at Elmley. If you wish to use any photos taken at Elmley for commercial purposes we request that you apply for this licence. We will request some details on your areas of interest, use of images and you will also be asked to read and sign a commercial photographers’ terms of use document which is designed to ensure that photography causes minimal disturbance. The licence fee will be collected by the Elmley Nature Reserve Community Interest Company – the not-for-profit that administers the Friends of Elmley. Any photographer who already does or wishes to use their images commercially, should please contact info@elmleynaturereserve.co.uk for further details and for a licence application form.
If you have any questions please contact Gareth at info@elmleynaturereserve.co.uk. Alternatively speak to one of the volunteers or staff during your next visit. Please feel free to pass these requests on to photographers whom are not Friends of Elmley. There will be increased wardening over the next few weeks, particularly around breeding sites of Schedule 1 birds[1].
We thank you for your on-going support and understanding on this matter. We are very much looking forward to a wonderful breeding season.
Elmley NNR.
[1] Wildlife & Countryside Act, 1981, Chapter 69 – http://www.legislation.gov.uk/... Licensing – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wi...
