I arrived in Ireland a couple days ago, and I have been taking plenty of photos along the way. I’ll post them in future articles, but there is something more important to discuss for now: the dangerous, idiotic behavior I saw at the Cliffs of Moher.
The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s most iconic sights. At upwards of 700 feet (210 meters) tall, and dropping directly into the sea, it is no wonder that they are such a well-visited place. Unfortunately, as in Yellowstone National Park, this popularity comes at a price. Not everyone follows the established trails rules, and several people die each year falling off the cliffs; in fact, to warn visitors of the danger, a memorial statue was placed at the path’s trailhead.
A memorial statue at the start of the trail — and an additional warning sign in the background.
I spent a couple days photographing this area, and I had a couple takeaways from the experience. First, if sunset is nice, the light on the cliffs is truly beautiful. It isn’t a particularly easy landscape to shoot, and the best vantage point is somewhat over-photographed, but it is still an incredible sight. The more important thing I noticed, though, is the horrifying behavior of photographers and tourists approaching as close as possible to the edge.
These photographers were nearly walking over a cliff. Consciously. Some were posing for their friends, others were photographing the landscape, and many were taking selfies. It was dangerous and careless, especially considering the weather; there was a light rain, and gusts of wind were upwards of 30 mph, or 48 km/h.
And then a woman slipped. She was sitting with her legs over the edge of the cliff, and her friend was taking a photo with the ocean in the background. As she stood up, her foot caught a path of grass, and she landed on her knees at the edge. Luckily, somehow, she caught herself and did not fall over. She laughed it off quickly and walked back to the path. I felt sick to watch — as, I know, did a dozen other people who saw.
In the next thirty minutes, I spotted six more people walking within arm’s length of a 700-foot drop, enduring strong winds and wet, slippery grass. Tourists were so engrossed in taking pictures that they seemed to ignore the deadly drop-off entirely. One woman even did yoga poses on the edge while her friend took pictures.
What is it about our culture that we are willing to pose on the edge of a cliff in order to take a photo? Is it a desire to seem daring and adventurous, or is it simply a misunderstanding of the dangers that a place like this can pose? Certainly, the reason is not to take better pictures; whether or not you are on the path, the view is exactly the same.
While most tourists stick to the path, which is a safe distance from the edge, some will walk within inches of the drop-off. I took this photograph during a light rain and strong gusts of wind.
I am not trying to excuse myself from the idiocy that affects obsessed photographers. I have climbed a few sharp and slippery hills that were beyond my comfort zone, and I’ve taken photos farther into the ocean than what seems smart in hindsight. In recent years, though, I have worked to take more care to avoid these situations — and I have never walked so close to the edge of a cliff. No shot is worth this type of risk.
If you ever take pictures at the edge of a large drop like the Cliffs of Moher, realize the dangers that you are facing. Risks are a natural part of life, and they can be important to taking successful photographs; I don’t dispute that at all. But when dozens of people walk to the farthest edge of a 700-foot drop on a windy, rainy day, something is very wrong. As photographers, we have a collective responsibility to reject — and avoid taking part in — this type of behavior, not encourage it. Until then, people will continue making these tragic decisions.
About the Author
Spencer Cox is a nature and travel photographer from Franklin, Tennessee, who is studying journalism at Northwestern University. To contact Spencer directly or view more of his work, visit his website at Spencer Cox Photography. Or, follow him on Facebook. Also published here, and used with permission.
Check out the photo shoot with Hans Rey and Steve Peat at the same cliffs… Now ‘that’ will make you feel queasy… ;-)
On a related note… http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2016/07/florida-woman-snaps-selfir-at-grand-canyon-dies-soon-after/
What is it? Some people get a thrill taking a risk, some people just whine about those who do. Call the park authorities and let them deal with it if you’re so worried about someone else’s choices.
I have been to this place Spencer, but weirdly I didn’t go anywhere near to the cliff edge. Instead I saw them from a small boat which took us to the little island and then did a tour of the cliffs from the sea… I didn’t think of of going to the top and looking down…
They are mightily impressive from the sea though, apparently the highest cliffs in Europe.
But you asked: “What is it about our culture that we are willing to pose on the edge of a cliff in order to take a photo?”
I don’t think that, as you say, it has anything to do with photography…
No, I think that it is the same reason that ‘ooman beans’ infest the whole planet…
… We have ‘risk-taking’ built into our DNA, it is the primary reason for our success as a species.
risk taking where it makes sense!
maybe you try to succeed as species by putting you head in a pot of boiling water.. everyone with a two digit IQ will surely not. :)
it´s a matter of intelligence and common sense.. and these people are lacking intelligence.
Duh!
What?
Risk taking never makes sense to those who are risk averse!
If you will note, I stated that I took the risk of getting into a boat…
The first human to do that, was taking a massive risk, and many thought that he/she was not making any sense…
…Like you.
well who cares if some idiots drop off a cliff?
it´s their fault.
if you make stupid decisions you are the only one to blame.
im am waiting for the first morons to try to catch pokemons there….
Marco Circulo
Ignorance and stupidity added to the desire to show off… always dangerous.
And I’m saying this as someone who jumped off an airplane 13 times solo skydiving, and who had a weekend routine of rappelling. Both, of course, with all security measures in place.
I obviously have no problems with people going for the adrenaline rush, as long as they know what they are doing. These days you have too many people doing it only to show off, with no knowledge of what they are doing, and in the most irresponsible ways.
And if they die because of it, it’s their own responsibility… the problem is that quite often, they end up involving others – be it their own families, friends, rescue teams, spectators etc.
And the worst part? Blogs and media have been promoting these sort of behaviors. Look these crazy russians climbing construction sites without safety equipment! Am I supposed to be impressed by their stupidity or something?
Remember the planking idiocy that ended up killing some people here and there? Morons climbing and defacing historical sites? All these people getting off trails in dangerous places, trying to take selfies with wildlife? That guy who got a boot to his face while trying to take a selfie too close to a passing train?
More like, Cliffs of Morons.
If your still in the West coast check out the Bridges of Ross and Loop Head.