More benefits than stress from nature photography

To say that nature is under stress from a photography boom is a double-edged sword. But in this scenario, nature is still able to derive more benefits than stress (“Nature under stress from photography boom”; April 27).

Indeed, nature photography contributes a lot to raising awareness in Singapore, particularly of rare and threatened wildlife, helping educate people to appreciate nature. In turn, they would protect the well-being and habitat of those species.

Nature photographers also double up as park protectors by acting as the eyes and ears of nature reserves to ensure no poaching or wrongdoing in the forests.

For example, the shots I took of fish poachers at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve helped raise public awareness of illegal activities in our nature reserves and was evidence for the authorities (“Illegal fishing cases on the rise in Singapore’s parks, reserves”; Jan 14).

When our organisation conducts photography trips, the syllabus includes nature photography ethics, which covers the dos and don’ts in every field trip.

The rising number of nature photographers in recent years is evidently because of the emergence of social media, where information sharing on wildlife sightings, the locations and the photographs can go viral.

We conduct two trips per month, and these are usually oversubscribed. That single-lens reflex cameras and accessories are becoming more affordable is another reason more people are getting into nature photography. It is now becoming a popular hobby with the young.

There also seems to be more photography contests held in recent times, generating greater interest in this field, which would raise the bar higher in the challenging world of nature photography.

Still, it would be good if the relevant authorities could put up signs to educate photographers on the dos and don’ts of taking pictures of animals and birds.

And more hideouts such as those at Sungei Buloh could be built in other nature spots for photographers, so they do not trample all over the open spaces, as in Pulau Punggol Barat, and disturb the bird nests.