photos of strangers on the street or outdoors

[crockny]

What are the legalities and etiquette of taking candid photos of the people around you? When I was younger people were always taking my picture and I hated it, so I'm a little shy about it ... and yet I see all these great pictures around me! What to do ...

[candleman]

its complicated.. and theres many opinions ....laws vary between countries blah blah


but.. if you ask them first.. its safe to assume its OK.
get a model release if possible too.. (make sure its very simple.. or people will get scared off by all the clauses and legal babble.

also... what do you mean by "people around you" ..you mean strangers right?

[OsmosisStudios]

The general rule is that if youre in a public space, you're okay.

[candleman]

true... thats the general Legal standpoint.. 99% of the time nobody wil do anything.. even if they dont like being photogrpahed

but that doesnt mean everyone understands thats the law..
there are some real nutjobs out there.
i had a guy run in front of my car because he thought he was taking pictures of him.. i wasnt..
we almost ran him over. (i was riding shotgun and my wife was driving)

when i'm done with my 52project i'm probably going to do the 100strangers project.. when i do.. i'll ask first.
saying "but its legal" with a face that is bleeding and a camera smashed up.... doesnt really work out too good in my books.
thats just me.

just to be on the safe side.. ask
that also allows you to get closer ad even pose them a little.

sure.. i see where i'm going off track.. (you want candids)
just be careful tho' .... it happened to me.

[crockny]

Well I'm in New York City -- if I go to New Zealand I'll definitely watch out (and I do want to go to New Zealand!) ... I just find it hard to be unobtrusive -- people who are unconscious most of the time seem to zero in on me if I just touch my camera ...