Posting pix of strangers

[macroMe]

Hi all,
Was looking for a bit of feedback and opinion.
The latest assignment had me heading into the city-heart armed with trusty camera. I was taking a few mall shots and building shots when I found a person asleep. He looked so peaceful I just couldn't resist.

So to the dilemma... I was talking about posting the photo with my dear Mother and in her infinite (and often unsolicited) wisdom she suggested () that I should not be posting photos of people I don't know. Her logic (?) was that I may inadvertently take a photo of someone doing something wrong eg:taking a sickie from work, and that the person who was the subject of the photo would have their rights impinged.

I have decided to pretty much ignore her suggestion and follow my own idea on this one (I am after all a "big girl" now ).
Do any of you guys have any thoughts on the posting of photos of random unknown people on the internet?
Thanks.

[scubabbl]

I guess if it's a public place, your photo is just conveying what you saw, so you're no more infringing on their rights showing their picture than you are looking at them I guess.

Now, last night when I was hiding in that person's closet taking pictures...

[BabetteKD]

I post it anyways, especially if the face isn't completely in view. What are the chances in the whole wide internet that someone would find their picture in your photostream.

I actually had a case where someone recognized a girl in my photostream, and I asked him if the girl would mind her picture being online. After assuring the friend that I would erase the picture if she didn't want it up, he said she probably would show off the picture because it would be like a good memory to look back on.

In cases where people actually find their picture on the internet, it's usually from a friend posting it. if you post smomething and the person manages to find it, you should offer to take it down and only take action once they say something. But that is my 2 cents, I'm probably completely wrong.

[Usuqa]

its all depends on where you are, but generally if its a public place then its fine.. if how ever ur wanting to make cash from the photo then you could need a model release form.

but it just all depends on the place as there are diff rules and stuff for everywhere.

[Jim Bryant]

As long as they are in public domain they are fair game. Best to get a photo release signed too, if you can.

[macroMe]

Thanks for the feedback.

scubabbl : LOL re the closet thing. Maybe I should start checking mine - just in case

Babette, Usuqa, Jim : Your thoughts reflected mine. Was wanting to make sure I wasn't off track - wouldn't be the first time I thought I was right but I wasn't.

Cheers.