Another model release question

ang · Oct 24, 2004

Do people in public places have a right to their published photos?

For example, if you were planning on publishing a photo book on a city and some of your photos included people in public places around the city, and their faces were distinguishable, do you need a model release?

rangefinder · Oct 24, 2004

As a general rule I think a model release would not be necessary, especially if it is a public event. For example if you were to photograph a political ralley featuring the candidate. You do not need a realease from the public figure. If Johnny Jones is recognizeable in the background or Susie Smith is recognizeable when shaking hands with the candidate then a model release is not necessary.

If you are taking a photo of a historical building and in doing so you feature or emphasize Johnny Jones then a model release may be necessary.

If you were shooting the local park and taking a general photo to display the park and people were walking, sitting on a bench then you should not need a model release. Again if you're going to feature or empasize the person then a model release would be the safest thing.