What are you talking about? You can take images of ANYONE in public, as long as you are not breaking the law to obtain them and remain on public property. Once you take the photo only a judge can rule for you to not sell, distribute and can even make you destroy all copies if found to obtained it illegally or there was an expectation of privacy.
Only thing that can think of you might be talking about is that, the expectation of privacy. Brad Pitt they (pappo) get in a helicopter and take images of from above they may say he's a public figure so allow it, but if you did it to Joe Schmoe they may say not and not allow the release of the images. But on say a public street, anywhere in public, you can take images of anyone you want as long as there is no expectation of privacy.
this wasn't what I'd read but the closest thing I can find so far. It would have been nice if the 'public figure' part had been addressed in the way we're talking about here (politicians, etc):
http://www.wipo.int …uments/ip_photography.htm
• Using someone’s image for commercial benefit
Many countries recognize that individuals have a right of publicity. The right of publicity is the direct opposite of the right of privacy. It recognizes that a person’s image has economic value that is presumed to be the result of the person’s own effort and it gives to each person the right to exploit their own image.
Under this right, you could be liable if you use a photograph of someone without their consent to gain some commercial benefit.
Although the right of publicity is frequently associated with celebrities, every person, regardless of how famous, has a right to prevent unauthorized use of their name or image for commercial purposes. However, as a matter of practice, right of publicity suits are typically brought by celebrities, who are in a better position than ordinary individuals to demonstrate that their identity has commercial value. You should, therefore, act with special caution before using a photograph of a celebrity for your own commercial gain. If you consider selling photos of celebrities or using them in advertisements or on your website, then you should certainly obtain photographic releases (that is, permission to do so) from the people portrayed in your shots.
Example: Putting an unauthorized photograph of the tennis star Kim Clijsters on the cover of a sports magazine after she wins a grand slam final, would probably not be considered an infringement of Kim’s right of publicity, since the use is mainly informative. Conversely, if you print that same picture on posters and market them, you are simply trying to make money by exploiting her image. Kim Clijsters would have grounds to file a lawsuit for infringement of her right of publicity. This can result in monetary damages against you, and/or forced removal of the posters.
Example: A photographer who displays someone’s portrait, without having first obtained the permission, in his shop window or on his website to advertise portrait services, may in some countries be liable for violating the privacy rights of the portrayed person.xiii
While an individual’s right to privacy generally ends when the individual dies, in many countries, the publicity rights continue many years after death.xiv This means, for example, that it is illegal in some countries to use a photo of Marilyn Monroe or Elvis Presley for commercial purposes without the consent of their estates. As a matter of fact, many representatives of well-known authors, musicians, actors, photographers, politicians, sports figures, celebrities, and other public figures continue to control and license the uses of those persons’ names, likenesses, etc.
