Posting pictures on the internet of people you don't know.

[StephB]

I think the whole world is getting too restrictive with everything these days. I would have no problem seeing a candid picture of my child online in a public place if it's purpose was photography, which in this case it is. If I was in a public place with my children and saw someone taking photographs, unless they were acting suspiciously, what is the harm? It has evolved from child pornography to this ludicrous stage where you can't do anything without being scrutinized, and it's ridiculous. Suspicious activity would be taking a picture of the same child, not yours, over and over again. Or hiding in order to take the picture without being seen. People get into pictures, whether they're the subject or in the background, it happens. Unless you clear an entire area just to take a picture it's not going to be rectified. And I find it hard to believe that the OP has never taken a picture with someone he didnt know in the frame. Unless you just photoshop them all out?

[avytech]

I couldn't agree more. I always wonder, "What if that person doesn't want to be found/seen" in the case of adults. But in the case of children, it's even worse. Those aren't your kids! It's creepy to have some strange person posting your kid on the internet. The least anyone can do is ask before shooting. Sheesh. I'm pretty sure that's what model releases are for...

[xxpinballxx]

My how many different opinions and reasons for their opinions and yet still not getting heated. Thats why I like this forum. All people with their different beliefs and opinions and still a civil and respectful thread.
This I believe is going to a be a topic that will never have an ending and i'm sure we aren't the first to bring it up. I have to say I agree with both sides in certain situations and conditions. On one side if you go in public you have to realize you are out for all to see. If Im taking pics in public and you happen to be at the same place you might get your pic on my flickr page. Sorry if that scares anyone who's "In hiding" but thats the facts...its Public! If I am at the park in a trenchcoat taking photos of small children and trying to lure them behind a bush for more photos then by all rights come up to me and pummel me into the ground I would do the same. There is a middle ground here just like most things. I have been in public shooting architecture and streets and gotten many strangers in my shots but only if the intent was to make them the subject did I ask permission or after taking the shot walk up and show them and explain my hobby and what would be done with the photo. Never had anyone object.
Model release forms are not as simple as I'm taking a pic of you sign this....there is more involved in the reasons for them.
I'm sure i could go on with examples and what not for another three pages but I'm sure we go to certain places and know there are cameras and feel no rights being violated at all. Whos to say what those images and videos are being used for?
Banks, stores, sporting events, even amusement parks on the rollercoasters. We all most likely taken shots at places with people in the backgrounds. Im sure we weren't scrambling up to each one with a model release form or asking permission.
I say we agree to disagree and leave it up to each of us to decide if we can live with ourselves for using peoples images without permission. i for one feel no need to confess my sins for posting strangers on my flickr page....now it would be a different story if i were selling product with someones face on it.
ON that note......
I'm out!

[jdepould]

Originally Posted by avytech

I couldn't agree more. I always wonder, "What if that person doesn't want to be found/seen" in the case of adults. But in the case of children, it's even worse. Those aren't your kids! It's creepy to have some strange person posting your kid on the internet. The least anyone can do is ask before shooting. Sheesh. I'm pretty sure that's what model releases are for...

Model releases are for commercial use, when misappropriation is an issue. Commercial use isn't being considered here, only artistic and editorial, which do not require releases.

[carl yeomans]

please forgive me if i sound naive. can someone explain how my life would be any worse or different if a total stranger took a picture of me going about my business or of my kids playing in the park. what possible harm can it do. i personally would find it flatering that some one is pleased enough to share it with a photogrphy community like this one.

can i ask you this. would you still find the same shot intrusive if it were shot by my 8 year old son, as he loves to do.

it seems to me that people are overly paranoid these days due to the media portaying everyone that has a camera is either a sexual predator or a terrorist. i have never read a story that made headlines stating that a photographer is sexual predator.

iam sorry if my imput to this has raised anyones blood pressure, but i do feel quite strongly about peoples judgement against people with cameras enjoying there hobby or profession.

[kirbinster]

I agree with jdepould 100%, people need to get over their photo phobia.

You have no expections of privacy in a public place. IF you don't like it just don't go out in public. Think about any night when you put on the evening news you see hundreds of vidoes of people out in public, and no one signed a release. And the news channels are using these pictures to make a profit through advertising sales.

People need to get over all the political correctness BS that we see everyday.

[jujitsu1]

Mcrodgers I totally agree with you about photo's of children being posted or taken with out them Knowing . I went to my little girls school christmas panto last week and the use of any sort of camera or phone was banned due to the strict laws on taken pictures of other peoples children .

[Nicole]

Originally Posted by jujitsu1

I went to my little girls school christmas panto last week and the use of any sort of camera or phone was banned due to the strict laws on taken pictures of other peoples children .

Personally I find this beyond absurd because it's going too far and saying that parents can't even take pictures of their own kids. Though I'm curious which actual "laws" they would be citing rather than policies that they have imposed as a school. If they are just school policies, which seems likely, then they should not mis-inform people and say that these are laws. There's an interesting discussion on the topic that I came across when looking up if I could find any actual laws restricting child photography.

[waffles]

There aren't laws about that. Whoever told you that was full of crap.

[jujitsu1]

Originally Posted by Nicole

Personally I find this beyond absurd because it's going too far and saying that parents can't even take pictures of their own kids. Though I'm curious which actual "laws" they would be citing rather than policies that they have imposed as a school. If they are just school policies, which seems likely, then they should not mis-inform people and say that these are laws. There's an interesting discussion on the topic that I came across when looking up if I could find any actual laws restricting child photography.

Just read the interesting discussion and yes it does seem to be just a school policy then . All the same its still wrong as the panto was soo good that its a shame it was not recorded . Unless the teachers filmed it and the school are going to sell it to rise money for the school