Photography Ethics

In the digital age, photographs can be easily manipulated to convey scenes and situations that do not exist naturally. Unfortunately, there are plenty of photographers who use digital techniques to create fake scenes or misrepresent reality. While using digital tools creatively is certainly not to be condemned, I believe that when techniques are used to heavily manipulate or alter photographs, this information should be disclosed. I believe that the digital darkroom is a powerful tool, and software can and should be used to tweak all images so they look their best. However, I also believe that nature photography should represent reality, and I strive to retain the integrity of my website and work by representing scenes and creatures as I find them.

For this reason, I have decided to include the following information about my capture and processing techniques on my website.

The photographs appearing on this website are of wild animals. No captive animals, including pets, animals from zoos or game farms, or rehabilitated animals are featured in any of my photographs. However, a small number of my wildlife photographs do feature individuals from translocated wild populations or feral populations, as well as wild creatures that were at one point temporarily captured and banded or tagged for research purposes.

The wild creatures featured on this site have been photographed in their natural environment. In some instances, the use of blinds, calls, food, light, or remote trigger devices may have been used to allow the photographer/camera to approach the subject closer. None of the animals photographed were attracted by baiting with live prey and care has been taken to make sure that no creatures, subject or otherwise, have been harmed by the photography process.

None of the photographs featured on this site have been heavily manipulated or altered in post processing. Care is taken to make sure the natural integrity of the scene is maintained and that all photographs represent the scene as it appears naturally. All images have been minimally enhanced during routine digital post processing, including color correction, rotation, adjustments to contrast, levels, and saturation, and sharpening. Some images may be cropped slightly from original capture and/or have had dust spots removed from the image and/or noise reduction applied. A few images may have minor areas cloned as well. The only composite images are those that have been created to work around the limitations of the camera and include blended exposure composites and panoramic compositions that represent natural scenes as they appear. Any photograph on this website that has been altered beyond the methods formerly described is considered digital art and will be found in the "Nature Gone Digital" page of my online catalog.

If you have any questions or concerns about a particular image, please ask me. I will gladly disclose what digital techniques and field tactics have been used to create any of my images.

The digital darkroom is a powerful tool and should be used with discretion and honesty. The photographs on my website are true representations of actual places, wildlife, and events that have occured in nature before my very own eyes and camera. Many could have been more easily created using a computer and skillful clicks of the mouse, but I have strived to find these beautiful subjects in the real world and take authentic photographs of them to share with others. I hope you enjoy the photographs as much as I do and appreciate the time and dedication that went into capturing each one.

- Kari Post