We all know that wildlife photography relies heavily on luck. No matter how much skill we put into "making our own luck" by being in the right place with the right gear and being ready the wildlife has to cooperate. That's what makes it so exciting and makes the results so special. Tragically the winner of this year's BBC Wildlife photographer of the year contest--perhaps the world's most prestigious--made too much of his own luck, apparently using a hired 'model' wolf, Ossian, to create his winning image...Stripped of his award by the contest judges after their investigation the contest exhibit will go forward with no winner for the year (if they have extra wall space I know some folks who'd be happy to provide an image:-)). Kudos for them for having the ethics to get to the bottom of what happened and to do something about it. Too often captive images are passed along without comment--even by well-meaning charities using them interchangeably with images of true wildlife. Even as a captive image the "fairytale" lighting on the wolf jumping over the antique gate is impressive, but of course it is now both tarnished and globally infamous.[img_assist|nid=493|title=Male Impala Leaping|desc=|link=popup|align=center|width=640|height=439]This image of mine, while not as lucky as the wolf shot would have been,
required some lucky timing to be looking the right way as this (wild) male Impala
jumped across the sand behind our truck. It was a finalist in that year's BBC contest.Obviously there is nothing wrong with captive images, per se, with two large caveats. The first and probably less important is that they be labeled as captive or at least not passed off as wild. Second and much more crucial is that they not cause harm to the animal. With the rise of captive animal farms dedicated to photographers this second issue has become increasingly important. Most of them started as wild animal rescue centers using animals which otherwise wouldn't have a life in the wild. But many of them now breed the animals because after all kittens, pups and cubs are oh, so cute. Those animals in turn need to find a home as they grow up. Essentially these places are at risk of becoming under-funded and largely un-regulated zoos. I'm personally not hard core on this like many other wildlife photographers have become, but I do suggest that before participating in a captive shoot you go in with your eyes open and do your research. Ask them to show you where the animals are housed, how they are transported and what happens to them when they grow up. And watch while you're there to see if the animals are handled in a way you are comfortable with. Like zoos, captive animal farms allow us to get exposed to species without disturbing them in their natural habitat. For some species that may be the only realistic way to ever see or photograph one. But be honest with yourself and your audience about the experience and your photographic results.PS The rules for the BBC contest are very clear that the animals in the photographs must be wild. The photographer claims that his photo was of a wild wolf but the judges after examination of this photo as well as some of photos of Ossian and interviewing wolf experts and speaking with the photographer determined it was almost certainly Ossian from the Canada Real Zoological Park.