How to Use a Camera to Observe Oil Spills
Oil spills are among the worst ecological disasters. Marine, coastal and freshwater ecosystems are all very sensitive to oil pollution. Spills that make their way into groundwater are especially troublesome. Despite efforts to improve extraction and transportation, oil spills remain a consistent problem for the industry. Environmental agencies rely on complete and detailed documentation of every serious oil spill in order to refine statutes and plan responses. Photographic observations add reality to the events which a paper-based report may lack.
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Instructions
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Get to the source of the spill, if possible. Wear rubber boots and don't let the oil get on your skin. If the spill is at sea, arrange to ride along with a clean-up crew or environmental group to ensure you get the closest possible shots. Photos of a wrecked oil tanker or busted pipeline can be very dramatic.
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Photograph the source of the spill. Panoramic shots of a wrecked oil tanker or collapsed rig can help tell the story of the disaster. The source point of an underground spill may be hidden, but its effects will still be worth documenting.
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Photograph the effects of the spill on plants and animals. Dead fish, seabirds, mammals and oil-soaked marshes all highlight the catastrophic effects of an oil spill. Mix close-up shots with wide-angle views.
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Photograph workers and volunteers as they clean up animals and shovel oil from beaches. Take pictures of oil booms and the oily surface waters. Before-and-after photographs are especially effective in showing what oil does to an ecosystem.
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Send digital copies of your photos to local news agencies and environmental groups. Government bodies like the Environmental Protection Agency may also be interested in your photo documentation.
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Tips & Warnings
Check your camera bag and make sure you have all the equipment you might need. Lenses, lens filters, batteries, digital storage devices and cleaning supplies are just some of the things you may need for your excursion.
Oil is toxic and, in high enough concentrations, flammable. Wash any oil from the skin immediately. Wear a mask that covers the mouth and nose to prevent illness caused by fumes.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Paul Katz/Valueline/Getty Images
