For years, the National Park Service and Federal Government have been chipping away at the rights of nature photographers around the country. They require permits to shoot on public land and have even been instructed to confiscate equipment, media cards and even arrest photographers shooting with commercial purposes on public lands. The irony of this, is one of the world's finest nature photographers -- Ansel Adams -- and his imagery were largely responsible for the creation of one our largest National Parks, Yosemite.
But the Ansel Adams Act , introduced by Rep. Steve Stockman (R-TX) addresses not only commercial photography on public lands, but also a wide range of topics including photography in public spaces, government buildings as well as photographing law enforcement and other government officials carrying out their duties.
This is a bill that even recreational photographers should get behind to ensure access and rights in the years to come.