The incredible star trail image is by Milky Way Mike Ver Sprill. This image is how we discovered him. See his Photographer of the Month page.
Batsto Village is a historic New Jersey site. It’s a location to take pictures of some 19th-century buildings. There is a sawmill and several other buildings with a lake nearby. You can take tours of the village and take photos of the interior of the buildings. Check their schedule.
Batsto Village Photography Locations
You can photograph here any time of year, but the park is only open during the day. Their location near gives them very dark skies and prime Milky Way opportunities for those willing to brave night shooting. This is Milky Way territory, and many photographers have photographed the buildings in the park under the Milky Way even though the park closes at dusk. They make for really great images.
The park is boring otherwise, as you can see from the pictures. You will not win any awards shooting here. You won’t find crowds here, so that part shouldn’t worry you. However, they have events, so check their schedule first.
You can do “event” photography, such as weddings and movie making, with a permit. The operative word is “event.” Otherwise, just walking around taking pictures for your blog is protected under your civil rights. See below.
The office is not worth stopping in unless you need a drink of water.
In the United States, the First Amendment of the Constitution safeguards photography as an artistic form of expression. Despite this protection, photographers are often forced to defend their right to take photographs (and record video) in public areas.
The law states that no one has the right to privacy in public areas. This means that no official can keep the photographer from photographing because the First and Fourteenth Amendments protect photojournalists.
Generally, people with cameras and the media have a right to photograph in public locations.
You can read more about Photography and the First and Fourteenth Amendments here.
You do need permits to photograph “events” in the parks. Walking around the park to take pictures and blog about the park is not an event; you do not need a permit. You are covered under civil rights. If this were the case, you could not take your cell phone into this park, take a few shots and discuss your day in your blog, which is considered commercial.
Eavesdropping laws for audio taping: You should be aware that New Jersey is a one-party state. This means as long as one party (that party being me) is aware that a conversation is being recorded, it is legal and admissible in a court of law. You would be shocked how many people are not aware of this.
Check to see if your state is a one-party state.
FROM THE CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION WEBSITE
Although it is geared towards protests, the civil right of photography still applies. It is your responsibility to verify what the ACLU says pertains to your situation such as walking in a park and taking pictures for your blog.
Your rights
- When you are lawfully present in any public space, you have the right to photograph anything in plain view, including federal buildings and the police. (On private property, the owner may set rules about photography or video.)
- Police officers may not confiscate or demand to view your photographs or video without a warrant, nor may they delete data under any circumstances. However, they may order citizens to cease activities that are truly interfering with legitimate law enforcement operations.
- If you are videotaping, be aware that there is an important legal distinction between a visual photographic record (fully protected) and the audio portion of a videotape, which some states have tried to regulate under state wiretapping laws.
What to do if you are stopped or detained for taking pictures
- Always remain calm and never physically resist a police officer.
- Police cannot detain you without reasonable suspicion that you have or are about to commit a crime or are in the process of doing so.
- If you are stopped, ask the officer if you are free to leave. If the answer is yes, calmly walk away.
- If you are detained, ask the officer what crime you are suspected of committing, and remind the officer that taking photographs is your right under the First Amendment and does not constitute reasonable suspicion of criminal activity.
MANUAL MODE
You have moving waters here at one spot, but carrying your tripod may not be worth it. Nothing dynamic will happen in this park except for Ghost Hunting. You can do your long-exposure running and milky water shots. Your settings will vary depending on the lighting and your neutral density filter. You will shoot in manual mode for the milky waters. ISO is always 100 or as low as your camera will allow. The aperture is f22 or the highest F-number your camera will allow. Your shutter speed will be the only variable depending on the light. Roll your shutter speed until your meter reads zero. (In the center) Use your shutter release or 2-second timer to prevent camera movement when exposed. You will want at least a 2-second exposure to milky water. If you don’t have a neutral density filter, you may not get more than 1/15th of a second in the sun.
EVEN BETTER, FOR THIS LOCATION, READ ABOUT GHOST HUNTING BEFORE YOU GO.
Batsto Information:
Telephone: 609-561-0024 Fax:609-567-8116 – Postal address: Batsto Village & Wharton State Forest, 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037 – Electronic mail: info@batstovillage.org
Visitor Center: Daily: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Tours:
| Self-Guided Village Tour: |
Visitors can take a self-guided walking tour by following the numbered map on a Batsto Village brochure, available at the Visitor Center. The buildings and sites are numbered and briefly described for the visitor’s benefit.
| Guided Village Tours: |
There are no regularly scheduled guided tours of the village. However, groups and schools can arrange in advance for special tours led by the State employees’ Resource Interpretive Specialists. Groups must make arrangements at least five days in advance. No reservations will be accepted on Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays.
Where To Camp
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HOTELS
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Batsto Weather:
For this location, Read here.