street photography

[msvadi]

What are the rules of street photography? When I'm taking pictures of strangers on streets, do I have to ask for a permission? Can I display such pictures on the web without a permission?

I thought that I can take any pictures I want in public places. But then I've noticed that many states have individual privacy laws.

[G3]

My understandingis that if you are in a public place there is no need to ask permission to take pictures of people involved with whatever goings-on there are, as long as the photos are not used for profit. However, if you walk up to someone on the street and start singling them out for photos without asking permission, you might well expect to end up with your camera in a region of your body from which it will have to be surgically removed. If you intend to sell the pictures in any fashion, you might well need a model release. Certain people, such as celebreties have less expectation of privacy when they are in public places.

[pradeep1]

If the person looks like they are going to kick your buttocks, then I would avoid taking pictures of them. Just my simple thoughts.

[Ferdinand]

If you ask politely, they will usually agree and you get to have lots of fun too! http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=28610 this was taken 2 weekends ago at a local park.

Regards,
Ferdinand.

[msvadi]

Thanks for the answers, all are very reasonable. My problem with asking is that I want to take pictures of people when they act "naturally" and are not aware of the camera presence.

[Olegis]

That was one of the main reasons for me to get the 70-200 zoom (which becomes 112-320mm on my 10D) and just photograph the people from a distance 8)

But in general, like it was said before - while you're shooting in a public place, you don't need a permission to photograph a person, there are very specific laws about this (however it's good to check 'em out regarding the country you're going to shoot in, as there might be unpleasant surprises).

[scottbergerphoto]

I do alot of candid people shots on the streets of NYC. Usually if people don't want their picture taken, you get a scowl, or they look away, or they'll say to stop. The only confrontation I ever had was with a member of the New Black Panthers on 42nd St. in NYC. He wasn't interested in my legal right to take his picture. You'll notice him pointing at me in the picture on the left side. That was before he walked over to me and made his displeasure known. He insisted that I ask his permission first. Fortunately for me, a NYPD officer threatened to lock us both up if the discussion didn't end.
http://www.pbase.com/image/20657305.jpg
Scott

[clorich]

Sorry to jump way off topic, but what is the guy in the Pistons jersey doing??? :shock:

[msvadi]

wow, they do look intimidating... The guy on the right is, probably, not very happy about the picture too ;)

[scottbergerphoto]

Sorry to jump way off topic, but what is the guy in the Pistons jersey doing??? :shock:
That is unfortunately an all too common mannerism in NYC in some socioeconomic stratta.
Scott

[Yance]

There aren't any hard rules - different people will react differently. There are two basic approaches; ask or don't ask! If someone doesn't want a photo taken then it doesn't matter if it is "legal" for you to do so. It is usually not worth it to have any sort of confrontation unless the picture is really, really worth it to you. Obviously if you want to take pictures without the subject knowing, don't use a flash like Scott did! He is probably lucky not to have had his ass pulverised many different ways.

[scottbergerphoto]

Obviously if you want to take pictures without the subject knowing, don't use a flash like Scott did! He is probably lucky not to have had his ass pulverised many different ways.
Sorry Yance, NO flash used. I'm crazy, but not stupid! If you look closely, you can see that the light is supplied by the overhead lights. There is no flash effect.
Scott

[Belmondo]

Oops.

[CyberDyneSystems]

I think the guy in the Pistons shirt is thinking seriously about providing some "Flash"... :wink:

[martcol]

LOL CDS!

Actually, if he's a "typical bloke," he may just be thinking - it helps me! :P

Martin

[msvadi]

I believe that many of you know that already, but just in case: this month issue of popular photography (the one with a big picture of D70 on its cover) has an article on street photography. I think it's a nice one. It also mentions some web resources on street photography:
http://www.in-public.com - shows work of some great street photographers,
http://lists.topica.com/lists/streetphoto - a mailing list

[JoeTampa]

Here's my question - You see books of street photography, some are even mentioned in some of the links in the article referenced above. Did these photographers get releases from EVERYONE in each picture in these books? I can scarcely imagine that many people agreeing to it.

[cloudless]

Here in Hong Kong people are *extremely* sensitive of being in front of a camera. They seem to think all street photographers are paparazzi and they are afraid of appearing on newspaper/magazine. When I pull out my camera on the street people would stare at me.

I love to take candid pictures but I want to respect people's privacy also...

[nosquare2003]

That was one of the main reasons for me to get the 70-200 zoom (which becomes 112-320mm on my 10D) and just photograph the people from a distance 8)


I prefer small lenses, say 85/1.8; 100/2, that doesn't look like a short tele lenses. Or shall I get a Leica?

[alsmith]

For street photography I think that if you can you should get a model release form signed if it is feasable which it is not if there are alot of people in the image. So I think it's just a common sence thing. If you arn't planing on making money off the pictures it is not as important.

[david gordon]

My advice, for what it's worth, is to get permission from parents if taking pics of children in the street otherwise enjoy your photography of people at play and at work in public places

[Andy_T]

... oh yes, and using that 100-400L from a distance like Scott surely helps if you like to get peoples' natural expressions. With the 1.8/50, you'll have to get quite close.

Best regards,
Andy

[nosquare2003]

... oh yes, and using that 100-400L from a distance like Scott surely helps if you like to get peoples' natural expressions. With the 1.8/50, you'll have to get quite close.

Best regards,
Andy


People may notice if you point such a big lens to them, even at a distance. Perhaps, the new 70-300 DO lens will do the job.

[Andy_T]

That's why you should put your camo sleeve around it ... if it works for ducks, why not for people?

Best regards,
Andy

[nosquare2003]

Ducks are better than people, sometimes...

[vvizard]

Here in Hong Kong people are *extremely* sensitive of being in front of a camera. They seem to think all street photographers are paparazzi and they are afraid of appearing on newspaper/magazine. When I pull out my camera on the street people would stare at me.

I love to take candid pictures but I want to respect people's privacy also...

Seriously? I mean.. There's a _LOT_ of chinese and japanese tourists in Norway in the summer. _A LOT_.. And the speed they manage cameras with.. It's friggin unbelievable. A bus stops. Out comes 40 chineese tourists. They use like 5sec, to photograph the "fjord,duck,whatnot", and then they take the group-photos. Everyone line up, and a picture is taken with _EVERYONES_ camera. And believe me, the whole process is going so fast, that if you blink your eyes, you won't even notice the bus, cause it's gone.. :shock:

[Drk Orange]

And a couple of observations from Australia.

A few years ago I had a couple of hours to kill on the west coast of Australia before my plane left, and decided to go get some shots of the sun setting over the ocean, an event I hadn't witnessed before.

I spent about two hours wandering around before some woman came up to me accusing be of being a sicko and informing me she was going to call the cops.

I was rather suprised to say the least. I smiled at her the way you do with crazy people and ignored her.

A half-hour later a cop arrived and bailed me up. It turned out the woman saw the long lens on my camera, and my proximity to the playground where her kids were playing and naturally assumed I was taking photos of her kids for some unknown purpose.

To cut a long story short, while they were going through all my bags looking for any evidence of her accusations, I was quizing them about what laws I could have potentially broken. It turns out the stalking laws in Australia at least are very broad. If I have taken photographs of a person in more than one location, that is 'stalking'. They didn't mention the main accusation by the woman, but I could tell that's why they going through my stuff.

It was a happy (as well as informative) ending, and the cops went to do some real crime-fighting.

The lasting legacy of that encounter is that I make sure my camera is in its bag if I am anywhere near a group of children. It's just not worth the risk of demeaning accusations. :(

[martcol]

That's why you should put your camo sleeve around it ... if it works for ducks, why not for people?


He, he, he....

And Drk Orange: what a sad story. It makes me more determined to keep my camera out! It's so frustrating to think that everyone is under suspicion! Hopw you weren't late for your flight!

Martin

[kreego]

The lasting legacy of that encounter is that I make sure my camera is in its bag if I am anywhere near a group of children.

FWIW,

In France there's this issue about "Droit de l'image" (Image rights) which makes taking photos of people in public places a somewhat risky proposition, from a legal standpoint. I skirt the issue by concentrating on my own children, and their schoolmates (copies of the best shots for the respective parents of course!) I wonder if anyone else has experience with France?

K

[Lisard]

I was on the beach yesterday and spotted a couple huging and kissing in the water. it was just spectacular: they were among beautiful waves, happy, lighting was just right. So I pointed my camera and started shooting. They didn't notice (too busy) and I got stunning pictures. Of course I didn't get any model release signed. I didn't even know about such thing 'till I read this post. I guess there are so much for me to learn.

[dark_ken]

You can hard find a place that no people in the street in China, especially in Shang Hai

Now I'm try to take black&White films and try to develop them by myself~~~~~~~~~~~

The topic is Living in Shang Hai. Of course i'll ask for permission if possible.

[IkonFoto]

I used to be very uncomfortable taking photos of strangers, but I love street photography so I was in a bit of a bind. After reading several threads like this one on various photography boards I just decided to grit my teeth and practice. After doing it enough it becomes much easier, but never (for me anyway) completely comfortable.

I find I have the best luck with my 28-105mm lens, I can get close ups without being too intrusive but I'm close enough that it doesn't look like I'm trying to be surreptitious. I just start taking photos, and then when they notice me I smile and wave, or say hi. Some just wave back, others want to know what you're doing. A digital camera is great, because you can review your shots with them. I like to give my website address, and offer to email them copies of the photos.

I have never had any problems, but admittedly I have two things working for me:

1. I'm in Canada, and there is a reason we are stereotyped as ultra-friendly people.

2. I'm a 26 year old woman, and living in a beach town means much of my summer is spent wandering around in a bikini and shorts. I don't look threatening.

The above only applies to adults. I personally don't really find children especially interesting, and rarely photograph them. If I did see a situation I wanted to capture I would ask the parents first, unless the moment was clearly fleeting, in which case you snap then immediately head over to the parents to show them the pic, explain yourself, and offer a copy.

[Lisard]

I agree with IkonFoto that being a woman makes your life much easier as a street photographer.

People usualy much friendlier to me since I don't look frightening :) I love photographing children and never had a problem with an angre parent (touch the wood).

Still, I don't feel totaly comfortable shooting people on the street. People suspect you in all kind of weird things :(

[grewal]

Few years ago, on my trip to India, I thought I saw a nice scene for a photo, it was a old man with a camel drawn cart. He had a large colorful turban, and a face that had lines and character. I was scolded by him. He told me I was stupid, did I not see a camel drawn cart before. I guess my Indian looks prompted this remark. How ever finally he agreed, but wanted money for the photo.
I guess little negociation was in order for this street photography.

[MrPogo]

Here's my question - You see books of street photography, some are even mentioned in some of the links in the article referenced above. Did these photographers get releases from EVERYONE in each picture in these books? I can scarcely imagine that many people agreeing to it.

What it really boils down to when it comes to getting permission is how likely the person is to sue you if you don't.
A person in a public place cannot reasonably expect to have any degree of privacy, so in reality have little grounds for a case just based on their photo appearing in a book about "People Of New York City" for example, as it's both real life being documented as it is, and it's "art".
Where trouble kicks off is if you use the photograph for a strictly commercial usage, such as an advertisement. Then the person has grounds for a case on two main fronts: that their appearance in the photograph implies they endorse the product or service being advertised - which will really piss them off if they happen to be Coca Cola executive, and the advert is for Pepsi ;) - and secondly that they could reasonably expect to be paid a standard model's rate for appearing in such an advert, on the grounds that that is usually what happens.
The other possibility of trouble comes if you will be using the photograph in a newspaper, or similar publication, and the caption on the photo, or the story it accompanies, again implies that the person subscribes to a certain set of beliefs, or is partaking in an action that they may object to. An example would be a story about a certain street being used by prostitutes to tout for business, and the photograph of it showing a woman simply strolling down it on the way to work. She would have grounds to sue in that it implied she was a prostitute.
So basically, allowing for any difference on international law, you're pretty much fine unless the purpose for the photograph can be clearly classified as out and out commercial, or it could cast a disparaging view of the subject.

[Penguin_101_1]

Fortunately for me, a NYPD officer threatened to lock us both up if the discussion didn't end.
Scott

For what? The only thing I can think of is disturbing the peace and there already is no peace in NYC. :lol: