Posting people pics and the law.

Dave in Wales

Dave in Wales

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Confused in Wales here.

Very briefly what does the law say about posting pics of strangers in the street on TP forums.

I'm always very wary about people pics that's why I don't take any.

TIA
DiW
 
it doesnt say anything.. there are no laws...

people will come along and give you all manner of clever info.. but they are being padantic.. for what your askiing.. just taking pics and posting them.. theres no laws... this includes chuildren and adults..
 
KIPAX said:
it doesnt say anything.. there are no laws...

people will come along and give you all manner of clever info.. but they are being padantic.. for what your askiing.. just taking pics and posting them.. theres no laws... this includes chuildren and adults..
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The only exception is if that street happens to be private land, in which case restrictions can apply but they have to be clearly indicated or have clearly implied expectations of privacy.
 
markrichardson said:
The only exception is if that street happens to be private land, in which case restrictions can apply but they have to be clearly indicated or have clearly implied expectations of privacy.
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op is asking what the law says
 
KIPAX said:
op is asking what the law says
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Yes - and the law permits the owners of private land (including what might be perceived as 'the street' - e.g. shopping centres) to establish their own rules in certain circumstances. Can't imagine it would cause any issues in reality though for simply sharing images - suspect there would only be complaints for commercial use of images.
 
KIPAX said:
people will come along and give you all manner of clever info.. but they are being padantic.. for what your askiing.. just taking pics and posting them.. theres no laws... this includes chuildren and adults..
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and


markrichardson said:
Yes - and the law permits the owners of private land (including what might be perceived as 'the street' - e.g. shopping centres) to establish their own rules in certain circumstances. Can't imagine it would cause any issues in reality though for simply sharing images - suspect there would only be complaints for commercial use of images.
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Just saying :)
 
You can photograph anything you like which is visible from a public space. Note that the subject itself does not need to be in a public space.


Steve.
 
Not in the street, actually on private land but thought it was a lovely girl/boy interaction shot ... no law prevents it :)

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Steve Smith said:
You can photograph anything you like which is visible from a public space. Note that the subject itself does not need to be in a public space.
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I would be very suprised if that was true
 
markrichardson said:
That's because it isn't. To take an extreme example, you couldn't freely walk along a street and take a photo of someone in their own home through their window.
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the exact same scenario I had in my head :)
 
KIPAX said:
I would be very suprised if that was true
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Well, many things you can photograph from a public space are not in a public space. Most buildings, farm land, etc.

markrichardson said:
That's because it isn't. To take an extreme example, you couldn't freely walk along a street and take a photo of someone in their own home through their window.
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But you can.


Steve.
 
Steve Smith said:
Well, many things you can photograph from a public space are not in a public space. Most buildings, farm land, etc.
.
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Are we back peddling now then ? :) You made a very bold statement that you seem to now be saying some things rather than anything?
 
Smilingatconfusion said:
What Steve said is true. You can get a telephoto zoom lens and take a photo of the Queen in her undies in the palace but if you've taken the pic from a public road, you haven't broken any laws.
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Really?

I thought the pretty much centred around "expectation of privacy" which covers pretty much your example.
 
Quoted relevant bits from http://www.sirimo.co.uk/2009/05/14/uk-photographers-rights-v2/ which also matches my understanding:

Smilingatconfusion said:
What Steve said is true. You can get a telephoto zoom lens and take a photo of the Queen in her undies in the palace but if you've taken the pic from a public road, you haven't broken any laws.
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The use of long lens to take a photo of someone in a private place, such as their home, without their consent, is an invasion of privacy even though the photo is taken from a public place.
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gramps said:
Not in the street, actually on private land but thought it was a lovely girl/boy interaction shot ... no law prevents it :)

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For images of people in public places, the key seems to be whether the place is one where a person would have a reasonable expectation of privacy and the courts have greatly extended the areas where this might be the case. A court has held that the right of privacy of a child might be infringed by the taking and publishing of a photograph of him with his parents in a public street.
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Broric said:
I thought the pretty much centred around "expectation of privacy" which covers pretty much your example.
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Isn't that more of an issue with publishing rather than the actual taking of the photograph?


Steve.
 
Generally if you can see it, with out taking any special measures, you can photograph it.
People can sue you for breach of privacy, But they have to prove it in a civil court.
And that is not easily done If they were in clear view.
 
Dave in Wales said:
Confused in Wales here.

Very briefly what does the law say about posting pics of strangers in the street on TP forums.

I'm always very wary about people pics that's why I don't take any.

TIA
DiW
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Just to say if your very wary,maybe its not your sought of photographer ? :)
 
its not law though it should be but the best guidance is 'don't act like a prat'
 
Broric said:
When did the UK sign up to the US Constitution?
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You can find other examples I'm sure... and why does everyone always think the US laws are different? They aren't in 99% of instances.

It does center around "a reasonable expectation of privacy"... If you stand in front of an open picture window, do you really expect that no one can see you? Do you really have an expectation of privacy? The answer is "no," that's why there are curtains/blinds. As far as the law is concerned "see" and "photograph" are synonymous here.
Now, if I creeped onto your property and took a picture thru the crack between closed blinds that would be different. The blinds were closed and there was a reasonable expectation of privacy. Plus I had to trespass in order to see/take the picture.

There are additional considerations regarding what the content of the image is... such as the "publication of private facts" (U.S. Law) or "the right to respect for private and family life" (U.K. Law). And *I think* you have relatively new laws that may be relevant as well (such as making public ones religious affiliation if private).
 
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sk66 said:
You can find other examples I'm sure... and why does everyone always think the US laws are different? They aren't in 99% of instances.

It does center around "a reasonable expectation of privacy"... If you stand in front of an open picture window, do you really expect that no one can see you? Do you really have an expectation of privacy? The answer is "no," that's why there are curtains/blinds. As far as the law is concerned "see" and "photograph" are synonymous here.
Now, if I creeped onto your property and took a picture thru the crack between closed blinds that would be different. The blinds were closed and there was a reasonable expectation of privacy. Plus I had to trespass in order to see/take the picture.

There are additional considerations regarding what the content of the image is... such as the "publication of private facts" (U.S. Law) or "the right to respect for private and family life" (U.K. Law). And *I think* you have relatively new laws that may be relevant as well (such as making public ones religious affiliation if private).
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Your not getting the point,i live in the UK those laws apply to me,not US law :confused::rolleyes:
 
Do you think these people expected to be Photographed..... were they seeking privacy
They were living their lives and did not even see me, yet most of the time I was close enough to touch.
Taken this week end Rush-Cart Saddleworth.











 
simonblue said:
Your not getting the point,i live in the UK those laws apply to me,not US law :confused::rolleyes:
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I have pointed out the relevant UK law.... (article 8 of the Human Rights Act (I believe)). There is nothing contradictory in the laws.

Just because the case I linked was U.S. based, one would reasonably expect the same decision if it had been in the U.K. (you have even fewer personal privacy provisions than we do). Of course, nothing is ever final/fact until a specific case has been ruled on.
 
sk66 said:
I have pointed out the relevant UK law.... (article 8 of the Human Rights Act (I believe)). There is nothing contradictory in the laws.

Just because the case I linked was U.S. based, one would reasonably expect the same decision if it had been in the U.K. (you have even fewer personal privacy provisions than we do). Of course, nothing is ever final/fact until a specific case has been ruled on.
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The Human Right Act is EU law not UK law :)

Also as i have said i abide by UK law and any case in the US has no fact in UK law :)
 
Don't get to hung up on this people as long as you are photographing in a public place then you have the lawful right to do so.
 
Steve Smith said:
Also, there is no UK law. It's either English law (including Wales) or Scottish law.


Steve.
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My understanding is that it very similar to the way things work here... we have national laws (i.e. EU laws) and state laws (i.e. UK legislation), and in general they must agree.... the UK is a member of the EU.
 
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