Safety in the Field

Article and Images by Rick Hobbs

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As summer approaches many people gather their camera equipment and head out in search of magnificent wildlife, beautiful wildflowers and the great scenes nature has to offer. This article will share 20 safety tips that I consider when going into the field.

Safety in the field is your responsibility and should not be taken lightly. Your personal safety, and the safety of everyone traveling with you, depends on your ability to exercise good individual judgment. Usually common sense, good judgment, and an awareness of the surroundings can go along way towards insuring a safe and enjoyable outing.

Research Your Destination

Before leaving home you should research you destination.

This will help you to prepare for the terrain, climate, and wildlife you may encounter on your trip.

Most of the information you will need can be found by visiting a bookstore, library, or by using the Internet. Bookstores usually carry travel guides, field guides, and other books or magazines that will give you important information about your destination and wildlife in the area. A road atlas with detailed state maps is useful. Also, there are several web sites available with information for most locations you plan to visit. Together, these resources will give you a good idea what to expect in the area. Factor in the time of year you plan to visit the destination and you should have everything you need to successfully plan a safe and productive trip.

When you plan to visit any of the national parks have the park maps mailed in advance.

The maps will show you the location of ranger stations, campgrounds, lodging, food service, gas stations, medical services, park rules and regulations, and will usually list the wildlife found in the park. Much of this information can also be found online at, www.nps.gov. This web site will include important information about each national park.

Learn how to protect yourself and the wildlife.

When traveling to a destination with large mammals you should learn about their behavior before going out in the field. If you have an encounter with wildlife, your knowledge of how to handle the situation may have a huge impact on your safety, and the safety of the wildlife. The same is true when going to a destination that has venomous snakes or other creatures that could cause you great discomfort or worse.

Have Proper Clothing

Evaluate the climate and terrain you plan on visiting to make sure you have the appropriate clothing for the trip. This means whatever you need to protect yourself from the environment and to stay comfortable. The more comfortable you are the more likely you will still be in the field when a great opportunity is presented. The location of your trip and the time of year will have a big impact on what to bring.

The following are some basic recommendations from the top down.

Wear a hat.

In warm weather wear a hat with a collapsible brim. The collapsible brim allows you to easily see through the viewfinder while getting protection from the sun for your ears and the back of your neck. The hat and brim can also provide “special” protection when photographing in an area with a lot of birds flying overhead.

In cold weather wear a lined hat that completely covers your ears and the back of your neck. Here safety outweighs fashion although if you look around you can have both.

Sunglasses are a good idea any time of the year.

Wear loose fitting clothes that are comfortable and also provide adequate protection from branches, rocks, or bugs.

Carry a poncho folded up in your bag for those pop–up thunderstorms.

In the mountains, plan to have a jacket available after dark because it can cool off quickly once the sun goes down.

For cold weather it is best to dress in layers. If the day warms up you can always remove clothing as necessary but at least you will be protected. When planning to exert yourself, be careful not to overdress and cause problems with wet clothing. Try to use materials that wick the water away from your skin so you stay dry and comfortable. When you are going to be in the snow and cold weather for an extended period you may want to wear insulated snow pants to provide even more protection.

Also, in cold weather warm gloves are important. If you cannot operate the camera with your warm gloves on, bring an additional pair of gloves that will allow you to work the camera controls. You can insert a small packet of hand–warmer chemicals if necessary.

Be sure to have a good pair of comfortable boots or appropriate footwear for the terrain in the area.

If your feet hurt you will be miserable and not ready to take advantage of photo opportunities. When working around water such as streams or shallow rivers your footwear should be waterproof. Remember, the wet rocks are usually quite slippery. In cold weather make sure your boots are rated for the temperatures you expect. You can insert foot–warmer packets in your boots if necessary. If you plan to be walking on ice you can go to a store that sells camping and hiking supplies to get a pair of pullovers with small spikes on the bottom. These may save you from falling with expensive camera gear.

Safety In The Field

Be aware of the weather, hail storms, flash floods, tornadoes and blizzards can cause serious injury or death if caught unaware or unprepared.

When you reach your destination, find out how to get weather information in the area. Naturally the weather plays an important role in photography. Extreme weather can have an extreme price if not respected.

Let someone know where you plan on going, especially if it is an isolated area.

Use good judgment when working out of your vehicle.

Looking for photo opportunities while driving will be very distracting and could cause an accident. Make sure your vehicle is parked safely and is not sticking out into the road. Use your flashing hazard lights to alert other drivers whenever you are not driving like the other traffic in the area. The guy behind you has no idea you are about to stop suddenly just because you spotted some wildlife. Damage to your vehicle can quickly ruin a photography outing.

Always secure your keys before getting out of the vehicle.

Losing the keys while in the field or locking them in the vehicle could cause serious harm if you are in an isolated area with a cold winter night fast approaching. Giving a backup key to a travel companion may help. Make it a priority to zip your keys in your photo vest pocket or a hip pouch whenever you turn off your vehicle. If they are in a zipped pocket you won’t lose them while working in the field.

Make sure your vehicle is well maintained.

Many times when you are out in the field your vehicle is the only way you are going to get back to civilization.

Try to keep a low profile.

Don’t let everyone know you are carrying thousands of dollars worth of photography equipment. This is not always possible while working in the field. However, when your equipment is in your vehicle cover it with a sheet to make it less obvious.

Carry a cell phone.

You don’t need to have it turned on. However, if you become injured it might be your best chance of getting help quickly.

Have a first aid kit available.

Use sunscreen to protect your exposed skin, the stronger the better.

Constant exposure to the sun is not healthy and may lead to skin cancer.

Use a repellent on your clothing when working in an area with ticks that can carry lyme disease.

Repellent products that contain permanone work well. Check for ticks regularly and be aware of the typical signs of a bite.

Always have the medications you need, plenty of water, and some type of non–perishable snacks along in case you get delayed.

Use appropriate long lenses to photograph wild animals and learn patterns of animal behavior.

Consider the subjects you may encounter, when deciding what photography equipment to take on the trip. For most wildlife a long-telephoto lens in the 400mm range or more is appropriate. Taking enough lens should give you a safe working distance. Also, your subject will be more relaxed and you will ultimately get better photographs. Watch your subject’s behavior and if it shows any signs of stress, back off. Better to give up a photo opportunity than risk injury to yourself or your subject.

Don’t walk through the woods with food in your pockets.

If carrying food into the back country always be sure to practice safe food handling techniques when preparing or storing food while on your trip. Getting sick or attracting wildlife into your camp certainly can jeopardize your safety.

As I said in the beginning, using common sense, good judgment, and an awareness of the surroundings can go along way towards insuring a safe and enjoyable outing.

Please remember, while it is always nice to go home with great images, it is the experience that matters most. Take the time to enjoy your experience. The nice thing about memories is that you can revisit them at any time.

Hopefully these tips will make your next photography trip more safe and productive.

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