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| Blue |
And that brings me to... Ethics in PhotographyAdam's "Chinese Old Folk" portrait set set me to thinking about the ethics involved in taking someone's picture. Now, I know we are not "obligated" to ask permission... legally... but do you think we should try?I had a little incident where I had zoomed in on an old man mowing his lawn, and then posted it on my blog. A friend said she was "creeped out" thinking I had zoomed in on him... which made me feel like a stalker of some sort. I wasn't hiding in the bushes or anything, but I was in my car, trying to remain discreet. So I started wondering if that was ethically wrong. Also, I try to reverse the roles, and imagine how I would feel if I came across a photo of myself on the internet- it would be upsetting. BUT- obviously some of the best candids are going to be taken when people don't know you're shooting them. What are you guys' thoughts on this, and how do you usually behave when doing "street" photography? Anyone have any horror stories of people getting mad? |
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| adam |
AH! the struggle i had deciding what to do before i got there!!
When i was on my way to Tai Wo I knew i was going to get those kind of shots..i had been told that i could ask and i would be able to pay someone to to take their pic..but i wasn't so sure... and i would have hated to come away without the photos i wanted!! its selfish i know...but i thought bugger it...go for it! plus, although they live there, its pretty much a tourist attraction! so they must be used to it!! but i couldn't sell the photos without model release forms i dont think! although they were in public, so maybe i could!! i dunno..as you can probably tell from this...i am still not sure if i did the right thing or not.. but i love that second shot so i dont care!!!!! is that bad?! |
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| creators |
I think this is, in part, a dilemma of our times, but it isn't a new one. Some tribes people believe that photography takes away (some part of?) our soul, and I am not sure I disagree with that. Our looks are unique to each one of us, and I think we have moral rights of ownership on the use of our 'image'. As we move away (I hope) from a paternalistic society towards a more homogeneous one, I would like to think we could become more sensitive about this whilst avoiding the witch hunt mentality that is growing around it.
I have to say that I would have done exactly what Adam did, but would not seek to use them professionally without permission. But even that is problematical if, say, someone is out snapping shots of good looking women for their personal satisfaction. It's a big, fat, thorny issue, and one that requires those of us who care to be very sensitive about, whilst boneheads will continue to be boneheads to the detriment of us all. |
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| creators |
This is a very simple Model release contract, it can be expanded to include property and/or a witness, and if the model is 18 or just above 18 you might want to include age. If you include property you could include a very brief description of the property and the persons right to sign such a release, i.e. Owner.
I, 'Models name', give you, 'Photographers name', and your legal representatives the authority and permission: To enjoy unrestricted right and permission to copyright and use pictures of, 'Models name'. To make a composite or transform the image, copy or reproduce in any media. I also relinquish any right to edit, examine or approve the products or use to which the image is applied. I affirm that I have the right to make this contract. Models name and signature date address Photographers name and signature date address |
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| hil26 |
and that now goes into the territory of whether the person who you are trying to get to sign the form, really understands it - not least cos they do not speak/read English - or maybe just not educated.
Another problem is personal security when taking candids - ohhh, can of worms. Unfortunately, I don't think you can take travel photos and not take candids of the people - in Hong Kong, some of the people dress up traditionally for photographers to make a little extra money, same all over the world, but they become posed and not candid. Its a debate that will go on for a long time |
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| adam |
so this model release form...
Kate Moss doesn't sign one everytime there is a picture of her out of her head printed in the paper.. so how do they get away with it.. which is why i mentioned the fact the people i photographed were in public..i think it makes a difference... |
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| hil26 |
ahh but the newspapers will quote "it's in the public interest" |
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| creators |
If you take pictures of people in public it only becomes an issue if you plan to use them professionally. | ||
| adam |
but that is exactly what the paparazzi do....? |
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| creators |
Hmmmmm... | ||
| creators |
Freedom of the press.
Guddling around, the following would seem to be a general practice. Freedom of the press implies exemption from censorship and the right of all persons to publish what seems to be in the public interest, providing, of course, they do not violate the various laws of libel, treason and sedition. That is to say there are rules that govern the press and protect them within the profession that revolve around what is 'in the public interest'. Have a look here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_the_press I know nothing about this subject and what I have put above has been gleaned from the web and may be utter nonsense. The web can in no way be considered factual, I have found very little information on press photography and so offer this as advisory and open to correction. |
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| carlj |
My subjects tend not to require release forms, but.....
1) Never make the subject uncomfortable (some creatures suffer from shock) 2) Take only photos, leave only footprints 3) Never subdue an insect in the fridge freezer for a studio pose. Miss god knows how many shots, but their comfort is paramount to me! |
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| Venom |
I think I put a PDF or a copy of a release form somewhere on here, I'll have a look. | ||
| Venom |
Here it is Model release form and heres a Property release form both in PDF form. | ||
| creators |
Nice one MIke. Thanks. | ||
| flapjack |
models?Just a little story about my daughter. She and her friend were travelling in Zurich and they were snapped by a young man. He said he was taking their picture because he was interested in fashion photography (the fact that my daughter and her friend are attractive teenagers probably had something to do with it too!)anyway he seemed to be 'above board' because he gave them a model consent form and he also gave them a business card (it was in English and German) with his contact details and website address. I know anyone these days can get business cards printed but I think it reassures people if they see this too. Maybe if you are going abroad it might be worth having a little of their language on your business cards. Btw as a photographer I hate having my photo taken whether I am aware of it or not. Their will not be a self-portrait of me on this forum 
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| Venom |
Re: models?
I know what you mean, I'm the same took me ages to put my photo up on here
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| Blue |
LOL, I was like that, too, until some friends insisted that I put up pics of myself on my blog. It seems to get easier after the first couple of times. For years, all pictures of me were either scowling, or with my hand hiding my face... and now it really stinks that I don't have any good pictures of myself from those years. Now I have to nag my husband to TAKE my picture, because he is so conditioned to fear for his life when he does. 
My avatar is a pic that my 4 year old son took of me. My plan has been to change it every now and then, with a different expression each time- but thus far I have been too lazy to enact that plan. 
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