Just a question (posting photos of people?)

[CapturedByGrace]

Hi
I'm new to this posting thing.... I'm mostly into landscape photography, but I have done some portraiture of people. My question is, do I need to get model releases to post pictures of people here? My only purpose of posting pictures of people would be to get feedback on my techique, etc. I would think at least their permission, but is a model release required?
Thanks for your help.

[DoctorIt]

I'm not a professional photog or even a lawyer, but I'm guessing this forum would be a lot emptier if you needed a release from everyone.

[Scott_Quier]

Other discussions I've read on this subject revolve around the subjects "reasonable expectation of privacy." If there is a reasonable expectation of privacy, you might have a problem. If you are shooting in a city park, no issues.

BTW: I, also, am not a lawyer. If in doubt, retain competent council.

[kp-pix]

Technically, any image you take is your copyright - minus any advertising material or locations that have their own copyright or legal agendas. Model releases are generally an essential if you are aiming to market your material, so that the buyer knows that the individual in your shot, had your permission - or the place etc etc, you get the gist. It's a release that all of the legalaties in question have been recognised and a third party has freedom to use that image.

If you want to share images, it is perhaps easiest to ask if that person minds as a matter of manners really. Not everyone wants their images about the internet. That being said though, and as others have said about the legal eagles - best to check first in case that person involved isn't impressed. Street shots - that's up to you but yes, more moral than legal as long as you read the legalities about a place. Most places are lenient if you are a hobbiest and sharing, or the occassional seller of material. Some are super legal strict. So backgrounds can be an issue, for sure.

But your material is pretty much yours unless you aim to sell it

*edited to add - these days, I would only share a self-portrait or one of the family (or ones that you have permission to use for advertising or whatever) - for no other reason that I do take a lot of street (parade) events and portraits. It isn't the criticism factor, but the fact that I wouldn't like for the people I photograph, especially any who are a bit teetery with the self esteem, to worry about their image being discussed. Whilst it may all be about the technical...... just me!

[DoctorIt]

Since there's no shots in this thread and is turning into a discussion, I moved it over to MYOB.

Discuss :D