Photographing street scenes

[Ruggerbugger]

I've noticed quite a few people photographing general street scenes, or even individual people. It got me wondering where the law stands on this, how people in the street react to someone with a camera, and what the copyright/model release issues are. I'm interested in candid, unposed photos, so I'd be interested in the opinions of those more knowledgeable than myself.

[|_GuNsLiNgEr_|]

I tought that as long as you took the photo on public property (footpaths, streets etc), you were allowed to get away with anything.

Thats how I though photographers got away with taking pics of Celebs in there houses, becaseu they hide in a tree thats on a footpath etc.

I'm not really that knowledgable on this subject though.

[Hans Voralberg]

UK Photographers Rights. Check this, afaik, in open public spaces you have the right to shoot anything anyone. I think you only need model release when it's a smack in the face portrait of someone and you use it for commercial purpose. I tend to signal people, holding my camera in an asking gesture if they spot me, otherwise i just shoot. Hip shooting help as well. Oh and small old camera help even more.

I do alot of street photography, just capturing interesting, if someone interest me I'd come over and ask permission, or shoot then come over and notify/thank them, explaining etc

P.S: not sure but I think shooting someone else inside their propery is breaching privacy, regardless of where you stand to do it

[CMC]

il relly interested in trying some street photography, and im gonna go old school and use film hopefully i will get some good snaps, i saw about it on tv th other night in BBC's show, The Genius of Photography

[kalniel]

All mine have been in fairly touristy areas so everyone expects people to be taking photos.. the wet shambles one even had people waiting patiently behind me so I could get a nice shot - I didn't even ask

[|_GuNsLiNgEr_|]

The reason I said about taking a snap of someone elses property, was becasue I did some work for a Architect who used to take pictures of houses surrounding the plot of land he was looking to develope. He did this so he could check the surrounding buildings and therefore design the new building to match the style, according to planning permission.

I asked him what the law was, and he stated as long as I'm standing on public property, I'm within my rights to take a picture of anyones house. Not sure how if thats how it stands now, and I canna really be arsed to read through the rights section lol.