The Wide Angle (WD) is now a club with a diverse membership that represents a range of ages and cultures, is fairly evenly split between males and females and is active in many photographic undertakings. Ethical codes are adopted by club to assist members in understanding the difference between ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ and in applying that understanding to their decisions. A code of ethics will set out the values and moral concepts that underpin how a collective group should behave.

For WD, the Code of Ethics provides guidelines to inform club members of a certain code of conduct we should all keep in the forefront of our minds. We have an obligation, both as a collective and as individual photographers, to manage ourselves in many situations – for example, event photography, we are equally obliged to show respect for the environment, respect for public and private property, etc. We also have an obligation to ourselves in terms of how we behave when using and presenting photographic content, with respect to plagiarism and copyright, etc.

• Practice common courtesy in contacts with other people.
• Never advance one’s own interests at the expense of photography as a profession or art form.
• Respect the laws, and the rights of others. Do not enter private property without the owner’s explicit permission.
• Follow all laws, rules, and regulations governing use of roads and public areas, both at home and abroad.
• Tactfully inform others if you observe them engaging in inappropriate or harmful behavior–many people unknowingly endanger themselves and others.
• Report inappropriate behavior to the proper authorities. Don’t argue with those who don’t care; report them.
• Be a good role model, both as a photographer and a citizen. Educate others by your actions and enhance their understanding.
• Maintain a high quality of service and a reputation for honesty and fairness.
• Oppose censorship and protect the copyrights and moral rights of other creators.
• Never deliberately exaggerate your qualifications, nor misrepresent the authorship of work presented in self-promotion.
• Never engage in malicious or deliberately inaccurate criticism of the reputation or work of another photographer.
• Donate time for the betterment of the photography and to advise entry-level photographers.
• Respect the privacy and property rights of your subjects.
• Never use deceit in obtaining model or property releases.
• Treat others courteously and ask before joining others already shooting in an area.