You can find the VLOG to the BLOG below, at the end of the blog post. In this YouTube video you can learn how I took the pictures for this post and what made me decide not to share the location in this case.
Gear:
Sony a7III
Sony FE 2.8/16–35 mm GM
Actually, I wanted to find beautiful locations in the Black Forest for my blog posts, photograph them and share them with you. By chance, I came across this rather unknown and somewhat hidden waterfall. Full of euphoria, I set out to create a VLOG for you and share this place with you.
Once on site, I quickly got to work. As always when I am out in nature, I am very careful of the vegetation. I try to stay on paths as much as possible and if this is not possible, to use stones and rocks so that I don’t leave any footprints. This is one of my basic rules for being out in nature. I do not step on plants or moss under any circumstances.
Unfortunately, I am also aware that not everyone is so careful in nature and leaves their rubbish lying around or tramples plants. Even in the local forests, which are quite unknown to me, one or the other spot was trampled, for example for the wild garlic photography this spring. Many people are not even aware that people who are so negligent in this area damage one or the other plant so irreparably. Especially in these times, when nature is having an increasingly difficult time due to drought, heat, etc., we should be aware of this.
Of course, not everything is bad, there are always pros and cons. I myself like to share photo locations and also benefit from others sharing beautiful locations. Several points come to mind:
Community and exchange: By sharing photo locations, photographers give others the chance to also discover and photograph the beauty of nature. A community is created in which experiences and tips can be exchanged.
Promoting nature conservation: paradox? I think not. By photographers sharing breathtaking landscapes, this can lead to people developing a deeper understanding and appreciation of nature. This can ultimately lead to increased engagement in nature conservation.
Inspiration and creativity: By sharing photo locations, photographers can inspire others and stimulate their creativity. Viewing the work of others can provide new ideas and perspectives that lead to a higher level of artistic development.
Bastian Werner, a well-known weather and landscape photographer in Germany, even argues that sharing as many photo spots as possible and making them available free of charge relieves the burden on the individual spots, as the number of people is spread over more locations. But even this opinion is not without controversy. Because so-called hot spots can still emerge that attract a particularly large number of people due to their special nature. If it is a place with nature that is particularly worthy of protection, this is of course critical.
That’s why we should also be very aware of the disadvantages of location sharing.
Overcrowding and interference with nature: When certain photo locations become popular, they attract more and more people. This can lead to overcrowding that affects the fragile nature. Footprints, worn paths and rubbish are possible negative effects.
Protecting endangered species: Some landscapes are home to rare or endangered species that can be disturbed by excessive visitor traffic. Sharing photo locations risks endangering these species.
Competition and commercialisation: When photo locations are shared, this can lead to increased competition. Photographers compete for the best angle or the perfect light, which can lead to increased commercialisation. Some locations might be rented out for photo shoots, which could affect the original character of nature.
In general, I think that nature and landscape photographers who are really serious about their hobby actually know how they should behave in nature and especially in nature reserves. And the vast majority do. Unfortunately, I have also seen negative examples with my own eyes.
This and all other shots of this post you can request under “Prints” as an art print for your wall at home directly from me.
The debate about whether photo locations should be shared or protected is complex and there are good arguments for both sides. It is important to find a balanced approach that takes into account both the needs of photographers and the protection of nature. Photographers can share their photo locations but act responsibly by showing consideration for nature and the needs of endangered species. At the same time, photographers should also recognise the value of protecting some locations and not give them away lightly. Ultimately, it is about finding a harmonious balance between photography and conservation in order to preserve the beauty of our nature for future generations.
In this gallery, I have compiled all the photos from the VLOG so that you can view them at your leisure. Have a look on Youtube and leave a comment or a like. If you liked the video, you can also subscribe to my channel so that you don’t miss any new videos.
In my Youtube video “Share or protect photo locations — waterfall photography in the Black Forest” I show you a beautiful spot of nature. A small, hidden waterfall in the middle of the Black Forest. While I was photographing there, however, I realised that I will not share this place. See the video for the reasons why. Feel free to comment on how you feel about this difficult topic and leave a subscription! I am looking forward to it!
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