Model Release Issues

[marko400d]

A couple of Feb issues of photography mags have features on dealing with taking street pics. One thing struck me. If you are going to sell these pics one is told to obtain a model release form. However, what happens with 'pap" pics, they obviously don't carry around wads of release forms so how do they seem to get away with it?

Anyone able to explain this? i would be most grateful

Regards
Mark

 

[mattyh]

you can sell them as editorial pics (i.e. public interest), but you cannot sell them commercially, that is, if they are to be used for advertising purposes, or brochures, leaflets etc.

 

[andrewc]

There are many circumstances where a model release form isn't needed.

 

[Gary Bagshawe]

As Matty said, when you put them up on picture libraries etc you mark them as editorial use only, or tick the appropriate box so that restrictions apply to all but editorial use.

 

[PeteStewardson]

If a person isn't the main focus of the attention in the photo you don't need a model release form signing either.

 

[Kerioak]

If a person isn't the main focus of the attention in the photo you don't need a model release form signing either.

It depends what the image is going to be used for. Some places now require a Model Release for body parts or images shot from behind!

 

[BenMottram]

Loads of information here - particularly the reason why many schools completely ban photography now.

 

[mattyh]

The ICO says it's OK to photograph in schools:

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=38544&highlight=information+office

 

[BenMottram]

With respect, I think the ICO doesn't have a grasp on the children act, which makes a specific offence for a carer to allow a photograph of a child, subject to a care order, to be published if the photograph allows the location of that child to be identified.

So dad takes a snap of an assembly hall full of kids, one of whom, unbeknown to him, is subject to a care order. Said snap is published as "Assembly as St. Thingy's school" in the local rag. The school is then committing an offence under the children act because it allowed the picture to be taken and published of the child... or that is how I understand it.

Ben

 

[Forbiddenbiker]

Loads of information here - particularly the reason why many schools completely ban photography now.

... Especially interesting I thought finding that in the UK a model release is more a binding contract that must include an exchange of some value...didn't know that... Rather than just a request to use the image ... which is what I'd assumed

Spot on article I felt.

 

[asab]

The latest issue of Digital Camera has an article on the laws around photography. It still leaves a few gray areas but it's interesting reading.