Breaking the Law for a Photo...? 

I was glad you didn't break the law for a photo, and I rather wish the title of your video was "Don't break laws for a photo!" Yes, some places may be restrictive, feel blessed that Patagonia is accessible, that such a place even exists and is being cared for and that with any luck will still exist in 50 years for future generations to enjoy. If the trade off is that photographers can't get their perfect photo, good trade. It's telling that they are restricting things that seem to focus on photographers, makes you wonder how much impact has been caused by those of us with cameras.

Definitely follow the rules - you have to trust the local conservationists know best - eventually more areas may open up as human impacts are analyzed. You never know if you are disturbing nesting birds if you go blundering off the trail. Beautiful images, Brendan.

Bro.... Teach em Tuesdays !!!!!!!! Where you been?!?!?!?

The soft reflection was just about perfect. Almost like having shallow DoF but, in the foreground 👌

Cracking video, classic BVS

Didn't something similar happened in Iceland? I recall you visiting in a past vlog, and finding they'd roped off certain areas due to the large increase tourist numbers and the issues caused by some going off trail. Do you think in Torres del Paine's authorities put in the restrictions for similar reasons? Perhaps another solution, along with a few more trails, would be for the park authorities to issue pre-sunrise or post-sunset permits for photographers. Similar issues occurred here in the UK during the last couple of years. Snowdonia saw some really bad parking, and a fair few people ended up being fined or in some cases had their cars towed away. There were also issues with van lifer's, particularly in the Lake District and down in Devon and Cornwall. Unfortunately the few who cause issues are used by the local authorities, as an excuse to implement rather blunt tools that restrict everyone. It's really frustrating for everyone who treats areas with respect when a few cause issues.

Love the sunrise one... the orange sunlight in the peaks makes it all 🔥

You brought up a lot of great points in the video. Whenever I travel, I always try to play by the rules as many of the guidelines are there to protect not only the landscapes but also people. Of course, I do agree that there can be something where they can go too far such as forbidding all people from going onto a trail even an hour before sunrise or sunset. I think that they could create a system where people can reserve a timeslot to go before sunrise. That way it can keep the crowds a little lower to protect the landscape, and it could even be used in a way to keep track of people to make sure they come back safely.

First and last for me but would gladly put all 3 on my wall as a weird triptych to remind me to wait and always keep shooting!! Awesome vlog mate, I’ll get to Patagonia with you guys one day!! Cheers Jase 👍🍻

I'm all for staying on trail. I break the law every time i hunt aurora borealis. There is a walking trail that closes at 10pm that has a parking area. We shoot at the head of the trail. We've been talked to so many times that they now know us and are fine with us being there because they know what we are doing. They now chuckle after I explained that we only go a few feet down the path to get the no trespassing sign out of the shot. We are respectful, and the only rule we are breaking is time. Many times the officers will come check out the shots in the camera.

People like you go to beautiful places, bring tons of people with work shops and videos, and you are surprised that they decide to limit access to beautiful places ?

I'm glad to see your video, I was planning a trip soon, but now I know about the obsurd rules especially the time rules. I can't justify wasting my time or money, I will go somewhere that welcomes me!

Some day the restrictions at places like this, and ones like, Machu Picchu, will be such a turn off to tourists, few will visit. Then they will achieve the preservation they want (and many places need, to be fair) but they will have to find another way to fund their efforts because there will be no more tourist dollars coming in. Will that be beneficial in the long run? Only time will tell.

I like the first one with purple and stars, though all are gorgeous. Second choice would be the last one so you can have your favorite middle one and we would both be happy! Yes, love rules when they have a good purpose, and I always respect them. But maybe they need to be revisited when too stiff and ultimately causing more harm than they were protecting. Rules of all kinds should be re-evaluated periodically as circumstances change. Good discussion.

I liked the purple version of the last composition the best. Order of preference preference is 1,2,3. In all honesty, though, I’d be thrilled to be able to claim I’d made any of the pictures from this video.

The restrictions are reaction to out of control overzealous photographers. The trail time constraints are a little baffling but most likely because the enforcers don’t want to get up so darn early to police the rules! The place to voice your displeasure is with the hotels and lodges. Tell them you won’t be back and why. When the tourism dollars start to dry up changes might be made.

Despite the conditions, you managed to get some great shots in what is still one of my favorite places. Thanks for sharing. How did you like Hosteria Pehoe? I stayed there a dozen years ago and it was fine, but lately I’ve heard it’s gone downhill. The hotel is such a wonderful location that I’m hoping the negative stuff online is wrong. What’s your take?

I 100% agree. This place needs more trails!!! Are there any plans to allow pre-sunrise hikes with a hired local guide? …like in Argentina. This is frustrating, but I get it… This means I’ll be revisiting Iceland before heading back to Patagonia.

You captured awesome pictures regardless of restrictions. Question, do you turn off lens stabilization when on tripod with your RF gear?

Torres doesn't exist for photographers. Or tourists. In this case, I would not break the law.

I have on one occasion broken a rule, not a law which resulted in what I think is a unique image of a world famous site in Iceland but I did so with ultimate respect for the flora and fauna (no damage to either whatsoever) I have taken images of Bluebell woods in the UK where there are no restrictions at all but again with ultimate respect trying as much as possible not to tread on the plants. 99% of responsible photographers know how they should conduct themselves, rules and restrictions or not. I’m inclined to think like you Brendan, too much restriction and people will ignore it and do untold damage. The problem comes when hundreds of tourists descend on a location and completely wreck it with total disrespect, most serious photographers want to preserve what they are photographing and understand the impact they can have if not done with respect for nature 🤔

Maybe a very persuasive letter to encourage them to find a balance as it may affect their revenue. Or, maybe they should cut some new trails under the guidance of a few seasoned photographers. You could recommend a few, eh? Carry on. 👍🥂

Awesome video! Can you still photograph from the small beach near the Pehoe campsite before sunrise? Or is that also breaking some rule?

I like the first, the purple one. Shame about restrictions but they have to be respected

Short answer yes.

I have broken the law for a photo and it wasn't worth it, the image was soft. If it wasn't for location it would have been a complete bust.

I think the purple colors sell that photo better since it is clea skys!

Despite the restrictions you were still able to get some great images👍😎. "sometimes an awesome view doesn't make an awesome photograph" amen 🙏

i haven't wastch the video yet but for legal reasons i can't anwer the question

That's a bummer with all the restrictions. You did get pretty nice phots, though! Did you stay at Hosteria Pehoe? Is it any good? Cheers 🙂

Nice Video And Awesome Shots... I Almost Got Arrested For Being On An Active Train Track Bridge Taking A Photo Of Downtown Hartford Conn (I Had No Clue It Was An Active Track)

Beautiful images

Too sorry to hear of all the restrictions! Probably won't ever go here. Traveling is expensive and can't afford to take a trip where voices are so limited.

I agree Brendan, some restrictions are quite draconian in many popular locations. You could organise a petition to put forward some photography locations that the government could allow for new and optional trails. Here in Australia, there is an iconic location ULARU, in the red centre. IT is spectacular and so many people visit there and photographers want to capture its magnificence. BUT! the local indigenous population have restricted locations to photograph ULARU. The pocations are not the best for sunrise or sunset at all! A very famous and experiences landscape photographer (KEN DUNCAN) who has photographed ULARU for over 40 years advised the authorities of 2 optimal photographic locations, but they ignored KEN. In addition, you can not sell any photos of ULARU without a licence purchased from the indigenous land owners. This debate has been going on for several decades, sadly. I'm sure you would get thousands of signatories to a petition. PEACE :)

And then you will wonder why when the whole thing is shutdown. I mean I was only a little bit off the trail.

2,1,and 3 for me, but I'd love to have taken any of them!

*shaking head no* while smiling.

True wilderness wouldn’t have man-made trails and one should be allowed to wander anywhere. Early humans didn’t limit themselves to trails. The only trails they would have followed would have been game trails. Most wildlife recognize game trails and don’t nest right in the trail. We destroy more wilderness by building trails and bridges which end up requiring maintenance that no one can afford. Those kind of limitations basically put the area off limits to people. That in turn only hurts local economies and then it becomes a hideout for outlaws and criminals.

Maybe it feels 'counter intuitive' because we aren't experts in flora, fauna and environmental protection. Rules are rules; if we don't like 'em, we are free to go elsewhere.

No, I'm not damaging wildlife , disrespecting people's faiths or someone else's experience, like all the selfy sticks in your view of the cisteen chapel cieling

So, you are telling us that there is basically no point in going at all. Besides, it’s been photographed to death anyway! Just sayin