Photographing strangers

[skieur]

If you’re not going to sell them then you don't need a release. I actually was at a Seth Rosnick seminar a while back and he does this a lot. He mentioned if you shoot with a wider angle lens and just go right up to your subject and talk to them you are far less likely to have issues than if you are across the street with a 200mm.

That is somewhat misleading. You don't need a release to sell them, rather you need a release for them to be used in advertising. Street art photos of people shot without a model release have sold for more than $1,000 in some areas.

The problem with Seth Rosnick's recommendation is that you are not going to get a natural, candid shot by going up and talking to them and with a wide angle lens used closeup the shot is likely to distort your subject. Moreover by doing so, you are asking them to in effect be a model for you which reinforces their right to compensation.

Although I use both long and short lenses, shooting with a long lens does not lead to issues because you are at a distance and depending on location you may not even be noticeable.

skieur