Oh they get it. But good photos require sometimes multiple talented photogs and a support team. These are expensive. Their cashflow was on the decline, because nobody buys magazines anymore. Magazines had a higher profit margin than online impressions, until they didn't anymore.
Nobody's paying, nobody's funding expeditions or in-depth research.
Race to the bottom! Last one there wins ... somehow.
Soldiers Delight is a preservation area, so the rangers won't be pleased if you go off the trail there, nor should they be - I expect the researchers had to clear their visit in advance. But there are plenty of formations around here similar to the one in the article photo; I feel like you'd have a harder time finding a state park without them, than with.