RE: Photographers - Let's Educate Users About Correct Image Usage
Great post @dmcamera!
I have a question though: what about publishing portraits (made by me, of course) that have been taken without signing a model release?
I usually post these images on my social media (FB, Instagram), and no one ever complained, also because the photographs were made with the approval of the subject.
However, if I post them on Steemit, it looks like that I would be liable of commercial exploiting other peoples' images.
In this case, would it be acceptable to post them using the "Decline Payout" option?
I know that it is, in my case, extremely unlikely that anyone can sue me for posting a picture of them; however I find it disrespectful, since there was no prior agreement. Maybe I should start asking for model releases in the future...
What do you think?
I always err on the side of caution. All portrait images that I have posted on Steemit have signed model releases for commercial use. The models knew their images were going to be used for stock photography. I’m not a lawyer, but I know people do have a right to sue for invasion of privacy. Street photographry has different rules. When I had a portrait studio, I always had people sign model releases that were limited to my advertising of the business. That release didn't cover commercial usage. If I were to make a portrait specially for Steemit, I would get an iron clad model release first. Hope this helps.
Thank you for the prompt response, that was exactly the kind of answer I was looking for.
Can I know more about rules of street photography? I live in Italy and I expect that the legislation may be different from yours, but: as far as I know, a model release is required either, except when the subject is not recognisable in the picture, or his/her importance in the picture is very limited (such as, photographing a huge crowd in a public event).
Yes, I would still be careful to use only crowd scenes or images of groups of musicians etc. Again, because you stand to gain, I wouldnt use recognizable individuals. Others do, though!