How to photograph and film seals
We are lucky in the UK to have between 38% of the entire world’s population of grey seals and 30% of the European subspecies of common seals, but these hugely charismatic animals face huge cumulative challenges. Seals provide environmental ecosystem services, enhance social health and wellbeing, as well as diversifying coastal economies for local communities. Seals always need space, especially if they’re on land where they rest, digest, replenish oxygen supplies, socialise and have their pups.
Like seabirds, seals have a terrestrial habit for one in every five days. Their predictability makes seals particularly vulnerable when people know where and when to photograph them.
Ironically, our desire to photograph seals can result in unnecessary distress and injury. But there are ways to photograph these beautiful creatures whilst having minimal impact. You just need to plan ahead. As it is crucial to always keep your distance, take a camera with a good zoom lens to enable you to take photographs of natural wild behaviour unaffected by your presence. Binoculars help too.
Remember being a photographer doesn’t mean you should behave any differently to everyone else. In fact, you should be a role model of best seal friendly practice and share this knowledge with those around you. Good wildlife fieldcraft reaps rewards with the best photos of a seal’s hugely varied, natural wild behaviour.
Seal craft
Stay downwind of seals as their excellent sense of smell means this is how they will first detect you. A seal’s sense of smell is similar to that of a dog’s. As with all wildlife, it is best if they can’t see or hear you. The hearing range of grey seals is comparable to humans. If we can hear them, they can hear us. Seals may be most easily spooked by sound on a still day will low ambient sound levels. Seals have amphibious eyesight, seeing almost as well in air as underwater. They do not see in colour, so blending in with the background greyscales is key – avoid high contrast colours such as white, yellow and red. Go prepared by wearing natural coloured, low vis gear and keeping a low profile at all times – on arrival, whilst taking photographs or filming and on leaving.
Seal image culture
Also, consider the kind of image you are hoping to get of seals. Taking a photo of a seal looking at the camera means there is a chance that the seal was aware of your presence. Even if you know this is not the case, sharing a photo of a seal looking at the camera, even with a caption explaining the seal was oblivious to the photographer usually goes unread by the viewer. The best seal photos show seals doing anything but looking at the camera whilst they are behaving naturally. Together we need to change the culture of seal imagery…low angle shots of seals looking at the camera are NOT ideal for the seals. Members of the public usually seek to emulate professional photographers and filmmakers, so let’s all role model a changed culture of seal photography – one image at a time!
Seal sites
As for where to go…do your homework well in advance.
For information on where to spot seals responsibly find out about local community based, regional seal conservation groups such as those in the Seal Alliance. Stick to the paths and viewing areas that have created and always follow the advice given on site.
Tops tips of how to photograph or film seals in the wild:
On land, stay on clifftops or in dunes. Avoid walking on seal beaches and discourage others from doing so.
On the water, if you spot seals on rocks or beaches give them an extra wide berth – even more so if the seals are high above the water line.
Avoid flying a drone anywhere near a seal site. If you do, please ensure you have:
o Landowner permission (drones are not permitted on National Trust or Cornwall Council land for example without a licence).
o Read and fully implement our UAV flight recommendations.
Avoid copying the bad behaviour of others who may be less knowledgeable and experienced than you.
If you hire a guide or charter a boat, ask them about how they minimise any disturbance before you book. Select highly knowledgeable, experienced and long-established Wildlife Safe Scheme accredited operators.
Naming seal sites in the public domain or online
Consider the environment carefully before you tell everyone where you went. Sharing the name of the location of where your photograph or footage was taken advertises it to others. Imagine the impact of hugely increased footfall to the area where your photo was taken. Many wild, remote sites are vulnerable to human impact because they are less managed. Many of these delicate habitats struggle to cope with damage caused by visitor footfall alone, and that’s before you look at the disturbance impact it has on the seals. It is particularly important to think about how to avoid using specific site names online. Instead, consider using generic place names to avoid driving up seal disturbance levels further.
If you can, encourage others to visit locations where visitor numbers are self-limiting, such as on guided trips. Alternatively, advise the public to visit sites which have implemented good mitigation management, such as the systems operated by local community volunteer groups or charities in the Seal Alliance.
Remember… aim to be a role model of best seal friendly practice and share this knowledge with those around you! Thank you from seals everywhere.
More information
Please aim to be a role model of best seal friendly practice and share this knowledge with those around you!
Download and share the posters linked here to help others learn how to minimise their disturbance to seals (and other coastal wildlife too)