Can't believe what the state parks told me

I got some vacation time coming up and an itchy shutter finger so I thought perhaps I would hit up a state park and try to grab some photos. First off I was told I needed to purchase a pass (or maybe it was a permit) that cost like 60 bucks. Okay, that I can see, you know, that money helps them maintain the parks. A little pricey, but I kind of suspected that. What blew me away though is I learned that I can take photographs at the parks, but....

I can't post them on the internet. WHAT THE #@*&
Why the heck not? If I spot a deer drinking at a creek or a tree in good lighting or something else that strikes my eye, and I take a shot and think its a good photo, I have to keep it to my self? What a load. I wonder if its the same at a wildlife refuge? I suspect so.

I pay my fee's to get into the park but in return if I get any photos I am not allowed to share them? I don't think I am going to any state parks on vacation. Its getting harder and harder to find something worth shooting with out getting strung up as some sort of terrorist.

It would be nice if you can actualy photograph something with out being worried about something stupid like this. I wonder if the US government owns the birds or the stars or clouds or moon or the sun or sun rises or sunsets, its hard to photograph something that is not owed by some one be it the government or a private party that things you are up to no good because you got a camera in hand...

How are they going to know?

How would they know it's "their" deer even when they see your photo online?

Did you ask why, or was this written on your pass?

That my point exactly! How are they going to know where the animal was shot. What bothers me the most is why they have this policy in the first place. I was probably not going to a state park anyway because I wanted to do my vacation on the cheap. They just gave me a reason to stay away even if I the money.

jbimages wrote in post #7085508
Did you ask why, or was this written on your pass?

We called and asked.
I don't have a state pass and now I don't think I want one

slitherjef wrote in post #7085517
We called and asked.
I don't have a state pass and now I don't think I want one

No is the easiest answer for someone in authority to give.

I don't understand the pass. Is this something like an entry fee? We have entry fees to some of our National Parks and we can buy an annual pass. We have additional permits for Commercial Photography - photo shoots, movies, etc.

Is this a Colorado state park rule? Seems awfully dodgy that they would not allow photography in a public park. The access fee sounds normal. Here in Michigan there is a $25 annual pass for your car, though you can actually walk in to any MI state park for free if you care to hoof it.

I'm going to go visit the CO state park website and see what it says.

Edit: The CO State Park website offers no photgraphy or camera policy, but searching under 'photography' brings up a list touting the wonderful photography opportunities in many of the parks. Seems as if the person the OP talked to was misinformed.

Something doesn't sound right. Are you sure it is not a commercial fee? Just looking on the web there are picture all over the place from Colorado state parks.

I am going to look into this more. I would actualy like to get ahold of the fineprint for the pass to see what it says. I just can't see why they basicly say, "You can photograph here, but keep the images to your self" I do suspect they may think I am doing this for pay.

BTW, I had my dad call this morning, so there is a chance that something may be lost in the translation here. I will have him give me the number and I will try to call before work in the morning.

I also did a search and I got a bunch of hits typing in photography:
Search for photography

slitherjef wrote in post #7085708
I am going to look into this more. I would actualy like to get ahold of the fineprint for the pass to see what it says. I just can't see why they basicly say, "You can photograph here, but keep the images to your self" I do suspect they may think I am doing this for pay.

BTW, I had my dad call this morning, so there is a chance that something may be lost in the translation here. I will have him give me the number and I will try to call before work in the morning

My guess? Your average tourist is never going to think to call and ask. They go to the park, they take pictures, the post them on Smugmug or whatever.

Since you called, they assumed that you were calling about commercial photography. I bet they like to collect an additional fee from commercial use.

If its a State Park, National Park or whatever, you own it anyways. They can't stop you from posting images of what you own.

But seriously, whoever told you this has no idea what they are talking about. do a search of "Colorado state park". You'll find tens of thousands of images.

The $60 I'm sure is a vehicle annual pass of some sort. You can probably walk in for free (although that may not be feasible).

Ah, I think you guys have it figured out. They may have been talking about a commercial photography permit of sorts.

Note to self stay out of Denver state parks
Man what a rip. I would check it out further. Here we pay 3 bucks to park for a day and we can take all the photos we want and do what we want with them. However the Museums are different. We can shoot all we want as long as we do not profit from them.
I hope you get it straight. State parks are a great place to shoot.

They must have confused you with a commercial photographer - as soon as you asked if you needed a permit, they assumed you'd be making money of those pictures. I don't think there is a single state or national park that would make you pay to take pictures if you do this as a hobby and there are no restriction in publishing those shots on the net. How else would all these wonderful pictures show up from Yosemite and all the other parks?

Just FYI, I do have no problem paying for a permit or the pass to get into the state parks What I have a problem with is paying for a permit so I can shoot photos but not be allowed to share them. Maybe they got mad I have not got any lotto tickets last year?

I bet an idiot or someone with a ego trip thinking he is doing a good thing answered the phone or my dad may have miss understood them, or they think I am doing this for commercial. Yeah... I wish I could get paid for my work