Photographers Rights and Photography Privacy Advice
Do Photographers have Rights? It might seem like a bit of an unusual question but in fact if you’re going to be active with your photography – particularly if you’re going to be shooting a lot in public it’s worth noting what your rights are.
Over in the Forums NaturesPixel has put together the following List of links to Photographers rights around the world. Nicole added a few useful links too:
- Photographer’s Rights Card in the US
- Photographer’s Rights in UK
- Photographer’s Rights in Canada
- Photographers Rights Australia and also here.
- Good blog with this sort of information (photojunkie)
- Article on photography in Public Places in New Zealand
- 9 Ways to avoid invasion of privacy laws
- State by State Summaries of US privacy laws impacting photographers
- Photographers Guide to Privacy (US based)
Great work NaturesPixel and Nicole.
If you know of more links with useful information on this topic please add them to the discussion on photographers rights the forum.
23 Responses to “Photographers Rights and Photography Privacy Advice” - Add Yours
March 14th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
In Ireland we follow the usual rules about photography in a public place. However, I was very surprised to hear that the Irish Minister for Justice considers that a private interaction between individuals is off limits. That could be two people having a conversation on the street, or meeting for a coffee.
There are so many grey areas in the law that anyone making street photos is treading on thin ice. A few times people have recognised themselves in my street shots but thankfully they’ve always been positive. Someone even found a picture of his parents which he printed out for them as a Christmas present last December! That makes this whole photography lark worth it!
March 14th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
Great article, thanks for this – all very good information.
March 14th, 2007 at 11:24 pm
great article.
Can you do one of the next posts about stereo photography?
March 15th, 2007 at 4:33 am
Great!
Guys, but what about Europe?
March 15th, 2007 at 5:14 am
I appreciate the link to the Canada article.
Does someone have a link for Mexico, as well?
Those that live close to either of these borders can appreciate the info, and remember when visiting those countries that you are not a citizen there, so an extra dose of caution and politeness can do no harm.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:51 am
I’d really, really like to know the situation in France, where I live and take pictures. Anyone know anything? I get hasseled A LOT about taking pictures of store windows in Paris, and I think the people who hassle me are full of sour owl manure, but I’m not sure.
March 15th, 2007 at 9:16 am
I have found the U.S. Photographer’s rights card VERY helpful in my street photography. I printed it out and keep it in my bag. I haven’t had a chance to use it, because the only time someone asked me to delete the photo I was too creeped out to say no…even though hundreds of people were around me :)
March 15th, 2007 at 11:36 pm
Oddly enough, there are public sculptures in the US that have signs telling you you are not allowed to photograph them. Read the article here
March 16th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
Hi Mike, art is considered copyrighted i.e. public sculptures etc. so photographing them for profit is illegal. Stands to reason I suppose but it gets a bit much because even some buildings are copyrighted!
March 22nd, 2007 at 4:31 am
Aalize,
That is fine and understandable, however prohibiting photography altogether is a different subject. The Eiffel Tower and Sydney Opera House are both prohibited from being photographed for profit.
March 23rd, 2007 at 5:31 pm
Hey guys, I have a question:
What about community centres (in Canada)?
I didn’t believe I was doing anything wrong, but a lady volunteer told me to put my camera away. Is a community centre not a public place, can someone clarify that for me?
April 2nd, 2007 at 9:09 am
Great list of resources! This is a topic that every photographer needs to be constantly educating themselves on…
July 6th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
I am currently living in japan do you know of the photography laws here? I have tried searching online to no avail.
August 7th, 2007 at 8:02 am
I enjoy taking photos of locomotives
I have never been told NO!
happy to take photos of locomotives and sunbathing Patty
September 3rd, 2007 at 4:07 am
How about having a card in Singapore?
June 30th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
I live in Bangkok and recetly faced a direct confrontation with a store manager.
Its tough. I am a hobbyist and it really makes enjoying this hobby harder.
I blogged about it here for the details.
http://thegenericasian.wordpress.com/
January 30th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
At the moment I live in Holland and will be moving to Sweden later this year. Does anyone have info about rights in those countries? Would be very grateful for any information.
By the way if you do a search on Youtube.com for Photographers rights you get some very intresting film .
Thx
Richard
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:14 am
I was taking a photograph of a large group of people at the foreground of an amazing skyline at a local park and was approached by a man who told me I can not photograph him that I must delete the picture. He stated I must have his permission to take his photo, and he clearly stated I did not have his permission.
He was appropriate in looks, was doing nothing demeaning, and looked like no one famous. I was taking the photo for no monetary gain or institution of fame deriving from the photograph. Basically scrapbooking. I am just wanting to confirm that I was within legal limits to take the photo regardless of what he had stated.
February 14th, 2009 at 2:49 am
All good information, and for all those reading this, the next time you see a copper, just ask yourself what qualifications they have concerning the law. Tha’t right, most of them don’t have any, same as you or me.
April 16th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Does anyone have any links to photography rights in NZ? I read the article from the link provided above, but was wondering if anyone else new of anything.
But judging by what a soft and PC country this has turned into, it is probably now definately illegal in all shape and form.
Anyone got any links? In the meantime, I will continue to Google…
September 4th, 2009 at 2:16 am
Does anyone have info about rights in India??are there any set of rights to be followed??plz help
November 4th, 2009 at 2:59 am
Have the rights been updated since 2006? Do these same rights apply to children’s sports? Not school sports. Do I need the parent’s consents?
November 4th, 2009 at 8:12 am
As far as I know, the rights havent been updated or changed from anything drastic.
Public sporting events are allowed to be photographed as long as no revenue is generated from the photo. Some locations, such as buildings/stadiums/structures/artworks have limitations to photographs and may prohibit the taking of such a picture. But people in a public place is fair game. even if a guy is streaking across the field and you snap it, its legit to have as long as you do not sell it without his written consent, giving you rights to the photo. However, he can not, nor can law enforcement, force you to destroy or change in any way, the photo you took. Unless the institution/facility you took the photo has a policy preventing its photo from being taken or the use of a camera. For further clarification, contact the facility management or corporate human resources or public relations department.
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