Hey Jason, great question. This does not apply to photo workshops which still fall under Commercial Use Authorizations. But this seems like a meaningful step towards something on that!
This is a huge step in a positive direction! My biggest concern with it is that it is very vague about "high-visitation areas." I was at Mt LeConte in the Smokies in October and it was very crowded at that time. Is that a high-visitation area? Does it matter that I was filming with a GoPro, probably the least intrusive device on the market?
Hey Erik, that's a great point the text of the bill reads "Avoids high-visitation areas or requires no staging equipment beyond handheld devices like tripods."
I'm thinking the "or requires no staging equipment beyond handheld devices like tripods" provides enough coverage for most usages. Definitely OK with a gopro! And agreed, a huge step in the right direction.
Great news that The Explore Act was passed and makes the process of recording/sharing the beauty of America's National Parks system with the public and inspiring them to experience it in all it's wonder. Thank you for explaining what the previous system was like for your industry. I hope you are free to produce tributes to the NPS now without the hurdles of bureaucracy.
Thank you Catherine! We are really elated by this. I appreciate you taking the time to read. I'm very hopeful this will lead to a new and exciting chapter in public lands storytelling.
I’m curious if this is applicable to photo workshops of fewer than 6 people. I would hope it is but I suspect it is considered a “guide” activity.
Hey Jason, great question. This does not apply to photo workshops which still fall under Commercial Use Authorizations. But this seems like a meaningful step towards something on that!
I suspected as much. Regardless, this is a good thing.
This is a huge step in a positive direction! My biggest concern with it is that it is very vague about "high-visitation areas." I was at Mt LeConte in the Smokies in October and it was very crowded at that time. Is that a high-visitation area? Does it matter that I was filming with a GoPro, probably the least intrusive device on the market?
Hey Erik, that's a great point the text of the bill reads "Avoids high-visitation areas or requires no staging equipment beyond handheld devices like tripods."
I'm thinking the "or requires no staging equipment beyond handheld devices like tripods" provides enough coverage for most usages. Definitely OK with a gopro! And agreed, a huge step in the right direction.
Great news that The Explore Act was passed and makes the process of recording/sharing the beauty of America's National Parks system with the public and inspiring them to experience it in all it's wonder. Thank you for explaining what the previous system was like for your industry. I hope you are free to produce tributes to the NPS now without the hurdles of bureaucracy.
Thank you Catherine! We are really elated by this. I appreciate you taking the time to read. I'm very hopeful this will lead to a new and exciting chapter in public lands storytelling.