Commercial Photography In DEVA Update

[DeathValleyDazed]

Not sure if this affects anyone in this forum but it appears NPS might be tightening up on filming in DEVA? This fellow gets into the details of Death Valley in the latter half of his presentation:

I'm totally non-commercial and non-monetized so I'm ok.

[GowerGulch42]

One should refer to the official park regulations before filming for anything beyond personal use. Here they are:

(from the Park Website)

All commercial filming* requires a permit (36 CFR 5.5 referencing 43 CFR 5.2).

*Commercial filming means the film, electronic, magnetic, digital, or other recording of a moving image by a person, business, or other entity for a market audience with the intent of generating income. Examples include, but are not limited to, feature film, videography, television broadcast, or documentary, or other similar projects. Commercial filming activities may include the advertisement of a product or service, or the use of actors, models, sets, or props (43 CFR 5.12). 

That is the entirety of film regulations at Death Valley. The Foundation Document and General Management Plan, which guide all legal park activities and management plans, contain only four mentions which boil down to [paraphrased "commercial filming requests from advertisers are increasing" and "increased video/social media posting is a threat to natural and cultural resources".

Effectively, anything to the contrary is rumor or anecdotal. If your YouTube channel is big enough to require tax filing (many larger channels have LLC status), that's a commercial use and should be permitted as such. That is, however, almost entirely unenforceable.

[GowerGulch42]

[ I didn't mean to be snarky or grumpy, hope that didn't come across that way to anyone! ]

[DeathValleyDazed]

GowerGulch42, not snarky at all but informative as usual. What leaped out as a reminder is your quote: "which boil down to [paraphrased "commercial filming requests from advertisers are increasing" and "increased video/social media posting is a threat to natural and cultural resources".

The threat and degradation of DEVA's natural resources is personal conundrum because nearly every foot step off the beaten path degrades the wilderness but how can I explore and enjoy the wilderness and share the experience without increasing the degradation? I'm reconsidering how much of my videos to post online and reviewing the current content of my non-monetized channel to delete some of the content in order to protect DEVA.

Even if there was no vandalism or cannabis growing or illegal mining or movie productions we humans would still be "wearing down" DEVA. I'll be mulling all of this over and over again during my March visit to the park. I certainly love to review my videos on a personal basis to bring back the fantastic memories and feelings I experienced in the first place.

[DAW89446]

I'm happy that I have plenty of videos and photos from my travels in DVNP and vicinity. It's been 15 years since I last visited, that was in the northern end of the park. Circumstances seem to indicate the potential that it may prove to be the last.

[netllama]

I'm happy that I have plenty of videos and photos from my travels in DVNP and vicinity. It's been 15 years since I last visited, that was in the northern end of the park. Circumstances seem to indicate the potential that it may prove to be the last.

That sounds a bit morbid & grim.

[Kauri]

I'm happy that I have plenty of videos and photos from my travels in DVNP and vicinity. It's been 15 years since I last visited, that was in the northern end of the park. Circumstances seem to indicate the potential that it may prove to be the last.

That sounds a bit morbid & grim.

DAW, I of course understand if there are personal details you'd prefer not to share with us publicly on the forum, but I did want to mention, if you would like to make a trip back to DVNP, whether in-person or "virtual," and would like help/support due to health or other concerns, I'm sure folks here would be happy to help if able, especially in appreciation for the huge wealth of information and knowledge you've shared on these forums (and hopefully will continue to be able to do so for many more years!) I recall DV Dazed did a video call with someone who had worked at the King Midas Mine, and with modern technology and increased cellular service in the valley (for better or worse!) that seems to be more realistically possible. And I think there are some 4WD clubs who still do events in DVNP if you have concerns about traveling to the back-country in a single vehicle (you may already be aware of these clubs and trips?) I sincerely wish I was able to offer help with this myself--unfortunately I haven't been able to get back to the main part of DVNP for five years now, both due to taking care of my father, who has since passed, and because of my own uncertain job situation--and I am very grateful for both the frequently shared trip reports and my own database of photos from the park.

[DAW89446]

Thanks all. No morbidity or grimness intended. I just don't see myself going to DVNP any time soon, unless we are passing through.

My wife and I are getting older, solidly into Social Security and Medicare years; my wife's disability makes it impossible for her to off road any longer; old occupational illness and injuries from my two decades working in Trona are catching up and making it too painful to enjoy getting out and beating myself up in the back country in places like DVNP. I got rid of my camping gear a decade ago. I'm not worried about a vehicle, as I drive a late model Toyota 4Runner - stock but shod with load range E BFG All Terrain T/A KO2 tires, which replaced my Tacoma TRD and went to my grandson in 2019. The tires and truck get plenty of off road use as my area of Nevada is literally crisscrossed by a network of maintained dirt roads; along with the abundant snow and winter mud.

We no longer have family in the Mojave Desert or southern California now, so there's no reason to go south. I keep it close to home also because I stay close for the needs of my mother, well up in her 90s though living independently.

When we travel my wife and I and our two small dogs stay in a motel. We haven't even visited the Owens Valley in almost seven years. Now that COVID is pretty much past, we are venturing out in nearby Idaho and upland areas of northern Nevada in summer, where we can stay for a reasonable fee in a motel in a nearby town and base out of these places.

[Kauri]

Very glad to hear. That's great you're still getting out to travel, just in different areas now. Keep it up, and take care of yourself!

[MojaveGeek]

I hear you, DAW, and good to know you're still getting out one way or another. I'm feeling my age - got a cortisone shot today for a bad joint - and though I can still organize and carry out these trips from the east coast, I can't put in the miles or do quite the crazy climbs I used to be able to manage. It still feels great to get out there though and I'm hoping as I age and I can make a soft landing and still experience wilderness. So glad to know you're doing what you can do.