street photography

[ms London]

Hi all,

just wanted to know if other photographers around the world have restrictions about taking people pictures or pictures of buildings.

[Marko]

Hi Ms London,

It really varies country by country and circumstance by circumstance.

In Canada for example - you can't take pictures of strangers without their written consent. Obviously people do - but they can get sued (ESPECIALLY) if they are making money from the photograph. But you can take pictures of people in the public eye (politicians, celebrities) as they are fair game.

In terms of buildings - good question. The interior, forget about it - you would need permission. The exterior might well be fair game, especially public buildings.

Hope that helps,

Marko

[tegan]

Hi Ms London,

It really varies country by country and circumstance by circumstance.

In Canada for example - you can't take pictures of strangers without their written consent. Obviously people do - but they can get sued (ESPECIALLY) if they are making money from the photograph. But you can take pictures of people in the public eye (politicians, celebrities) as they are fair game.

In terms of buildings - good question. The interior, forget about it - you would need permission. The exterior might well be fair game, especially public buildings.

Hope that helps,

Marko

With considerable involvement in photography and video, I have had to concern myself with the legal technicalities.

In Canada, U.S., Britain and elsewhere you can take photographs of people in a public place without their consent. A public place is defined in law as a place to which the public has access, so a public place does not necessarily mean public property. A signed release is required if the photo is to be used for advertising purposes.

You can take photos of any exterior of a building and interior as well, although you might be asked to leave the building by security. Even if that is the case, you retain any photos you have taken and can use them as you see fit.

Obviously there are some common sense qualifications here. Taking photos in a public washroom or change room is likely to get you arrested. Taking photos in a courtroom is also verboten or in defense or highly secret military facilities.

Tegan

[Marko]

With considerable involvement in photography and video, I have had to concern myself with the legal technicalities.

In Canada, U.S., Britain and elsewhere you can take photographs of people in a public place without their consent. A public place is defined in law as a place to which the public has access, so a public place does not necessarily mean public property. A signed release is required if the photo is to be used for advertising purposes.

You can take photos of any exterior of a building and interior as well, although you might be asked to leave the building by security. Even if that is the case, you retain any photos you have taken and can use them as you see fit.

Obviously there are some common sense qualifications here. Taking photos in a public washroom or change room is likely to get you arrested. Taking photos in a courtroom is also verboten or in defense or highly secret military facilities.

Hi Tegan,

As this is CONTRARY to my knowledge, I would respectfully ask you to cite your sources for this information.

Thanks

Marko

[tegan]

Hi Tegan,

As this is CONTRARY to my knowledge, I would respectfully ask you to cite your sources for this information.

Thanks

Marko

The Canadian Media Law Handbook, Copyright and Trade Mark Law, and Canadian Copyright Law and some case law in Toronto and Montreal.

I should point out that basic law does not forbid the taking of photos except in very narrow circumstances such as those I mentioned. The use of that photo however may be covered by other laws including copyright.

There is a logic here as well. The freedom involved in journalistic photography for example, is part of democracies around the world.

Where does your knowledge come from?

Tegan

[Marko]

Hmmm...I did look this up a while back. I'll look into this as well.


Thanks!

Marko