11 votes

The sticky issue of consent in street photography

2 comments

  1. [2]
    petrichor
    Link
    I remember in my high-school photography class when we went over street photography laws. The idea that anyone can come up and take a photo of you when you're in a public space, and do what they...

    I remember in my high-school photography class when we went over street photography laws. The idea that anyone can come up and take a photo of you when you're in a public space, and do what they will with the photo, felt deeply wrong and invasive to me (especially because many people don't have private spaces to be in).

    But, at the same time, these are the same laws that are partially responsible for broad journalistic freedom in the United States, and also have played an important role in accurate documentation of our own history. Also at the same time, though, I think many other countries take photography issues on much more of a case-by-case basis.

    8 votes
    1. Staross
      Link Parent
      Here's it's not legal to distribute or even take pictures without people's consent (there's some exceptions like for events, or the person clear isn't the subject). I don't think that poses any...

      Here's it's not legal to distribute or even take pictures without people's consent (there's some exceptions like for events, or the person clear isn't the subject). I don't think that poses any issues for journalistic freedom.

      I've done a bit of street photography but I only share images privately. It's a bit frustrating but that's the rules around here. That said I think many photographers still do it, since most people don't know the law or really care about it.

      4 votes