Wilderness photography, help or hinderence

[StuartRae]

we are on(e) small species in the animal kingdom

Dierk,
Unfortunately we also have the power to destroy both ourselves and every other living thing. Small we may be - insignificant we're not!


But to return to the original subject, my approach to the countryside in general is summed up by the words of Alfred Wainwright (fell walker and grumpy old man):

"Take nothing but pictures; leave nothing but footprints; kill nothing but time".

Regards,

Stuart

Edited to get the quote correct

 

[Ray West]

Hi Stuart,

Must be something about grumpy old country folk in UK

"Take nothing but pictures; leave nothing but footprints; kill nothing but time".

compared to wot wuz sed by me earlier ----

Absolutely no point in any individual going on a 'wilderness trip'. unless they walk - barefoot.

The bit you added, 'kill nothing but time', is, in reality, impossible. On a more philosophical note, I feel that even taking the picture adds to the destruction. I think its the word 'taking' that does it....

Best wishes,

Ray

 

[StuartRae]

Hi Ray,

You noticed that I changed the quote after discovering that my memory had failed me yet again.
As well as adding the bit about "killing time", my original post said "Take nothing but memories". Does that lessen the destruction for you?

Ironically, after exhorting us to "leave nothing....", Wainwright's ashes were scattered, at his own request, at his favourite spot in the Lake District after his death in 1991.

Thinks......"after his death" was a bit unecessary!

Apparently the growing custom of scattering ashes is becoming a concern for conservation bodies, especially when it happens in remote areas like the Highlands of Scotland where the introduction of new and unaccustomed nutrients leads to the growth of non-native flora.

Regards,

Stuart

 

[Ray West]

Hi Stuart,

When I collected my mum's ashes, earlier this year, I had to sign something about what was going to happen to them. It used to be, in Exeter crem, and I guess others, that you/they would sprinkle them into the stream in the grounds, which then flowed into the Exe (not an executable program name extension!). That is no longer allowed.

No, the 'taking' thing reminds me of a story, which I am sure is well known. (Much abreviated here)

A father and son attend their local community place of worship for an all-night prayer session. After a few hours of praying, many folk had nodded off. Eventually, by 5am, only these two were awake. At 6am, the son says ' hey dad, weren't we good', The father replies 'We were, until you thought that'

Best wishes,

Ray