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I used to think you needed permission for every spot, but a talk with a ranger changed that.
For years, I would only shoot places I knew were open to the public or had clear posted rules. I missed a lot of cool spots because I was scared of getting in trouble. Then last fall, I was at an old mill in upstate New York and got talking to a park ranger. He told me, 'Most of the time, if you're respectful and leave no trace, nobody minds a few photos. The real issue is when people break things.' That stuck with me. Now, I still check for 'no trespassing' signs and avoid active property, but I don't let vague fears stop me from exploring public land or clearly abandoned structures. I got my best shot of a decayed theater lobby two months ago because I just walked up the public access road. How do you guys decide if a place is okay to explore?
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wells.morgan6mo ago
Honestly, I just check the tax records first.
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grant_palmer6mo ago
Checking the tax records is such a smart move. I started doing that a few years back after a friend showed me how. It cuts through all the guesswork. If the county lists it as vacant or abandoned, I feel a lot better about taking a quick look. It saved me from walking onto an active farm once that just looked run down from the road.
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