Short version (for in-app display): LensScape gives estimates, not guarantees. Spot details, sun, weather, aurora, routes, crowds and drone airspace can be wrong or missing. You're responsible for your own safety, for following the law, and for getting permission to be anywhere you go. Don't trespass, don't fly drones where it isn't allowed, and don't take risks for a photo.
1. Photography and outdoor activities are at your own risk
Photo spots may involve cliffs, edges, water, ice, tides, wildlife, traffic, rail lines, rooftops, unstable ground, extreme weather or remote areas without phone signal. You alone decide whether a place and activity is safe for you, your group and your gear. Check current conditions, tell someone your plans, carry the right equipment, and turn back if in doubt. To the fullest extent the law allows, LensScape is not responsible for injury, death, loss, damage, fines or other consequences of visiting a location or relying on the Service (see Terms ss. 14–16).
2. Access, trespass and permits
A spot appearing in LensScape does not mean it is public, open, legal to enter or safe, or that photography, tripods, commercial shoots or drones are allowed there. Spots can be on private land or in parks, heritage, Indigenous or protected areas with their own rules, fees, hours, closures or permit requirements. Information can be outdated or submitted by users. Obey signs, closures and landowners, and get permits where required. Never trespass.
3. Drones and airspace
Drone and airspace information in LensScape comes partly from OpenAIP, a community-made aeronautical dataset that is not certified, can contain errors, and must not be used for flight planning or navigation. It may be missing, incomplete or unavailable for some places. If it's unavailable, LensScape shows no drone verdict rather than guessing. LensScape's "allowed / not allowed" labels are rough indications only. They are not official authorization. You are solely responsible for complying with drone laws. Examples include Transport Canada's Canadian Aviation Regulations Part IX (registration, pilot certificate, NAV CANADA RPAS authorization in controlled airspace, and NOTAMs), the FAA's Part 107 and recreational rules with LAANC/B4UFLY in the US, EASA rules in the EU, and the CAA in the UK. Also follow national-park bans, temporary flight restrictions, wildfire restrictions, and privacy and trespass laws. Check the official sources (for example, NAV CANADA's NAV Drone app, FAA B4UFLY) before every flight.
4. Sun, light and horizon estimates
Sunrise, sunset, golden hour, blue hour and sun-position times are calculated with astronomical formulas. Horizon profiles use elevation models (Copernicus DEM and Canada's MRDEM). They don't account for clouds, buildings, trees, haze, refraction or local terrain error, and may be off by several minutes or degrees.
5. Weather
Weather and forecasts come from third parties (OpenWeather). They are forecasts, not guarantees, and may be delayed or wrong. Check official warnings before you go, for example Environment and Climate Change Canada, the US National Weather Service, or your national weather service.
6. Aurora forecasts and alerts
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Aurora chance, the aurora oval map overlay, the "Aurora tonight" filter and aurora alerts are based on NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) data, such as the OVATION aurora forecast and the Kp index, which LensScape processes and simplifies. They are estimates of probability, not predictions that you'll see an aurora. Space-weather forecasts are uncertain, change quickly and can be revised. Visibility also depends on clouds, moon, light pollution, the time of night and your view of the northern (or southern) sky.
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Data may be delayed or missing, and alerts can arrive late, early, or not at all (for example during quiet hours, due to throttling, or if delivery fails). Do not rely on LensScape alerts as your only source.
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LensScape's aurora estimates are not official NOAA products. NOAA does not endorse LensScape.
7. Night, cold and remote travel
Aurora, astro and blue-hour photography often means driving at night, on icy or unlit roads, to remote places in extreme cold. Risks include frostbite and hypothermia, vehicle breakdowns, wildlife collisions, getting lost, thin ice, avalanche terrain, and no cell service. Plan accordingly: check road reports (for example 511 Alberta), dress for windchill, carry a winter emergency kit, a charged battery pack and an offline map, keep fuel topped up, tell someone your route and return time, never stop on a highway shoulder to shoot, keep off private land, and avoid frozen lakes and rivers unless the ice is known to be safe. In an emergency, call 911 (or your local number).
8. Routes and navigation
Trip routes come from OSRM using OpenStreetMap data, or are shown as straight-line estimates when routing is unavailable. Live navigation may use Apple Maps. Routes may include closed, seasonal, private, unsafe or unsuitable roads or trails, and travel times are estimates. Obey traffic laws, road signs and local conditions. Don't use the app while driving.
9. Activity (busy/quiet) map
The heat map reflects only LensScape users' activity, delayed, approximate and grouped by area. "Quiet" means little LensScape activity. It does not mean an area is empty, safe or open.
10. Studios, reviews and other users
Studio listings, prices, reviews and user content come from third parties and other users. We don't verify them, endorse them or take part in any deal you make. Meet people you don't know in public and use your judgment. LensScape is not a party to transactions with studios.