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brewmaster15 · 12-13-2019, 04:57 AM

I was reading up on the Galapagos Islands dreaming about the trip I will probably never take but would love to. I saw it noted that Flash was prohibited as the animals react very poorly to it there.. I don't use flash much outdoors for wildlife but it got me wondering what other outdoor parks,preserves etc that have the same rules..

Have you been anywhere outdoors where Flash was not allowed.. particularly in wildlife photography.

Al

Fluegel · 12-13-2019, 08:03 AM

Wildlife photography does not seem to be a logical application to me for the use of flash.

Most of the time the distance to the subject is rather large.
Under those circumstances the flash is not efficient.

**UncleVanya** · 12-13-2019, 08:24 AM

Originally posted by Fluegel

Wildlife photography does not seem to be a logical application to me for the use of flash.

Most of the time the distance to the subject is rather large.
Under those circumstances the flash is not efficient.

Quite a few people use flash extenders for wildlife. I've used the af-540-fgz on squirrel shots.

I've known of no restrictions on flash use except in zoos etc.

**UncleVanya** · 12-13-2019, 09:58 AM

Perhaps a reflector is acceptable?

**Bob 256** · 12-13-2019, 11:31 AM

Flash is prohibited in the Hurst Castle in California - the National Park Department who maintains the castle is worried about fading the contents. Some areas are darkly lighted but shouldn't pose a problem for modern DSLRs and their increased sensitivity.

With regards to the original question, perhaps high output LED lighting would suffice in place of flash since it's continuous, but I would check beforehand. It could be that any strong lighting is an issue.

fsge · 12-13-2019, 03:52 PM

Use of flash indoor can affect multiple thinks but I do not get how outdoor photography with flash could disturb animals. Using a diffuser is maybe an option to not have this sudden ray of light effect

**UncleVanya** · 12-13-2019, 04:00 PM

Originally posted by fsge

Use of flash indoor can affect multiple thinks but I do not get how outdoor photography with flash could disturb animals. Using a diffuser is maybe an option to not have this sudden ray of light effect

Recall these animals are very tame and not that people savvy. They might react poorly to painful light. Just a thought.

As far as indoor paintings and such - I have seen that restriction many times.

**Peter Rockstroh** · 11-10-2020, 07:05 PM - **1 Like**

Several parks in Colombia do not allow the use of flashes, to the point that
you can´t even use them to photograph plants. Plants - that is a well known
fact - react to light with ... photosynthesis. Many parks in Central America
and Mexico don´t allow the use of tripods, because they are considered
professional equipment and require a special permit issued by central
government, or a ridiculous fee of USD 50.00 - 100.00 per day

EnglishBob · 12-23-2020, 08:31 AM

Would never use a flash at Galapagos, but am pretty sure that diffuse light from a bounced flash is not an Extinction Level Event. A mob of ecotourists is what scares me.
In my experience, the frightened "deer in the headlights" survivor is safer than the "deer in the fender" roadkill.

35mmfilmfan · 02-11-2021, 05:44 AM

Do they not have thunderstorms there ? Surely use of a flash is analogous to natural lightning ? Maybe they are worried about the effect of multiple flash usage simultaneously, and feel a blanket ban is best for the wildlife.

12-13-2019, 04:57 AM	#1
brewmaster15 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: CT Posts: 1,860	Using Flash prohibited outdoors I was reading up on the Galapagos Islands dreaming about the trip I will probably never take but would love to. I saw it noted that Flash was prohibited as the animals react very poorly to it there.. I don't use flash much outdoors for wildlife but it got me wondering what other outdoor parks,preserves etc that have the same rules.. Have you been anywhere outdoors where Flash was not allowed.. particularly in wildlife photography. Al

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12-13-2019, 08:03 AM	#2
Fluegel Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 470	Wildlife photography does not seem to be a logical application to me for the use of flash. Most of the time the distance to the subject is rather large. Under those circumstances the flash is not efficient.

12-13-2019, 08:24 AM	#3
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,472	Originally posted by Fluegel Wildlife photography does not seem to be a logical application to me for the use of flash. Most of the time the distance to the subject is rather large. Under those circumstances the flash is not efficient. Quite a few people use flash extenders for wildlife. I've used the af-540-fgz on squirrel shots. I've known of no restrictions on flash use except in zoos etc.

12-13-2019, 09:58 AM	#4
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,472	Perhaps a reflector is acceptable?

12-13-2019, 11:31 AM	#5
Bob 256 Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,379	Flash is prohibited in the Hurst Castle in California - the National Park Department who maintains the castle is worried about fading the contents. Some areas are darkly lighted but shouldn't pose a problem for modern DSLRs and their increased sensitivity. With regards to the original question, perhaps high output LED lighting would suffice in place of flash since it's continuous, but I would check beforehand. It could be that any strong lighting is an issue.

12-13-2019, 03:52 PM	#6
fsge Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Genf Posts: 1,138	Use of flash indoor can affect multiple thinks but I do not get how outdoor photography with flash could disturb animals. Using a diffuser is maybe an option to not have this sudden ray of light effect

12-13-2019, 04:00 PM	#7
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,472	Originally posted by fsge Use of flash indoor can affect multiple thinks but I do not get how outdoor photography with flash could disturb animals. Using a diffuser is maybe an option to not have this sudden ray of light effect Recall these animals are very tame and not that people savvy. They might react poorly to painful light. Just a thought. As far as indoor paintings and such - I have seen that restriction many times.

11-10-2020, 07:05 PM - 1 Like	#8
Peter Rockstroh Admiral Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Bogota Posts: 445	Several parks in Colombia do not allow the use of flashes, to the point that you can´t even use them to photograph plants. Plants - that is a well known fact - react to light with ... photosynthesis. Many parks in Central America and Mexico don´t allow the use of tripods, because they are considered professional equipment and require a special permit issued by central government, or a ridiculous fee of USD 50.00 - 100.00 per day

12-23-2020, 08:31 AM	#9
EnglishBob Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Maryland Posts: 159	Would never use a flash at Galapagos, but am pretty sure that diffuse light from a bounced flash is not an Extinction Level Event. A mob of ecotourists is what scares me. In my experience, the frightened "deer in the headlights" survivor is safer than the "deer in the fender" roadkill.

02-11-2021, 05:44 AM	#10
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,342	Do they not have thunderstorms there ? Surely use of a flash is analogous to natural lightning ? Maybe they are worried about the effect of multiple flash usage simultaneously, and feel a blanket ban is best for the wildlife.

Using Flash prohibited outdoors

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