Posted by Lon Overacker on September 29, 2011 at 2:28 PM
Jim/all,
After some previous discussion here and with the Landscape mods, we would like to open a discussion and also recommend some language be added to the Posting Guidelines.
The reason for adding the language is simple. There have been images posted from areas that are posted as being restricted. Marc raised this issue with a fairly recent post of Triple Falls in Glacier NP. Now, as it turns out, this area is off limits during the spring and fall when the meadows are at their most sensitive times and there are posted signs declaring the area off-limits. Later in the year and when there is snow pack, apparently the area can be visited. In this case Marc addressed the issue directly with the photographer and all agreed that the photo was captured with proper access.
However, it also raises another issue and this has already surfaced by comments - is that many more people now want to photograph these falls and the potential exists for photographers to ignore such restrictions and photograph in an area that is clearly posted as off-limits.
Another example that I would be familiar with is Yosemite. There are many meadows in the valley where here are posted signs telling visitors that many meadows are off-limits for restoration. Delicate times for plant and wildlife during the spring and summer. However, once you get a snow pack over the dormant meadow, there is no impact and you will see lots of folks playing in the snow.
The message should be and I believe NPN should promote this, is to not only tread lightly when we're out there - you know, "take only photos, leave only footprints...." But perhaps more obviously, we should prohibit the display of images knowingly captured from restricted areas.
Should we add language to the guidelines to reflect this?
That will be key, and hard to "enforce" in some cases. There are places in many parks open only to ranger-escorted visits, as well as on private lands including some of the more notable slot canyons. No way to tell if they were done legally, even if the access is restricted and tightly controlled. I can show you some really dramatic closeups in cliff dwellings that are closed to the public, but they were taken on tours such as this one. Same for Fiery Furnace in Arches, NP.
In that light I propose that the posters spell out how they gained access to "closed" areas as a part of their submission.
Discussion
3 repliesAfter some previous discussion here and with the Landscape mods, we would like to open a discussion and also recommend some language be added to the Posting Guidelines.
The reason for adding the language is simple. There have been images posted from areas that are posted as being restricted. Marc raised this issue with a fairly recent post of Triple Falls in Glacier NP. Now, as it turns out, this area is off limits during the spring and fall when the meadows are at their most sensitive times and there are posted signs declaring the area off-limits. Later in the year and when there is snow pack, apparently the area can be visited. In this case Marc addressed the issue directly with the photographer and all agreed that the photo was captured with proper access.
However, it also raises another issue and this has already surfaced by comments - is that many more people now want to photograph these falls and the potential exists for photographers to ignore such restrictions and photograph in an area that is clearly posted as off-limits.
Another example that I would be familiar with is Yosemite. There are many meadows in the valley where here are posted signs telling visitors that many meadows are off-limits for restoration. Delicate times for plant and wildlife during the spring and summer. However, once you get a snow pack over the dormant meadow, there is no impact and you will see lots of folks playing in the snow.
The message should be and I believe NPN should promote this, is to not only tread lightly when we're out there - you know, "take only photos, leave only footprints...." But perhaps more obviously, we should prohibit the display of images knowingly captured from restricted areas.
Should we add language to the guidelines to reflect this?
Thoughts?
Lon
In that light I propose that the posters spell out how they gained access to "closed" areas as a part of their submission.