Is it wrong to take Candid cellphone photos of stuff on the streets?

Question

Is it wrong to take Candid cellphone photos of stuff on the streets? Like a car or a police car? Or a sexy females..lol or a buss or bag of chips? lol

Answer 1

Legally anything that is done in a public place is not subject to privacy consideration, so legally, it is OK to photograph anything in a public place.

However, it could be argued it is simply impolite to take photos of people without one's permission. A good test is to ask yourself if you would want someone you didn't know to take a photo of you without asking.

I think taking a photo of a bus or a bag of chips would be OK but you may get funny looks and maybe even someone taking a photo of you taking a photo of the bag of chips.

Answer 2

No, it's not wrong -- in the US, anything is fair game to be photographed if it's being done in a public place or is *visible* from a public place. Take all the photos you want.

Now, when it comes to *using* those photos...if you use them for non-commercial things (editorial use in a newspaper or magazine, for example) you're fine. If there's any commercial gain from the photos, you'd better have model and or property releases for any people or property identifiable in the images, or you will get sued very quickly -- and you'll lose. And yes, commercial use includes "fine art" exhibits where the photos are sold, or web site usage where there are ads from which you make money, etc.

Answer 3

You are invading the persons "Privacy", that is it bottomline. You hear about the Paparrazi chasing down Celebs and invading there privacy for photos. Why are they any different than normal people on the streets. Just because they are Celebs does not mean they get any more privacy than us. They dont want photos and we dont either. It is actually a form of harassment to take photos without asking the persons permission.

Answer 4

I think not. The streets are public domain, and people behave in a public way. However if you use the shots for something I believe you should let the people know their image will be used, which will avoid trouble at a later date.

Consider photojournalism. If we couldn't take candids of people at large how would we document the world around us?

Answer 5

I would rather suggest to you to consider using caution. In truth, ALMOST anything can be photographed in public for private purposes and oftentimes for purposes of newsworthy events and fact-gathering for educational purposes and if someone's face is not recognizable (so that you won't need a "release") you can even sell the image (gets kinda tricky here). The general rule is that there is no expectation of privacy in public sites.

But, look, there's always a fool who will screw up everything for the rest of humanity; like, for example, "upskirting," or taking photos of ladies beneath their skirts or down their blouses without their consent or knowledge (that can get you in deep manure), or taking photos of children of children not related to you and without parental knowledge and consent or taking photos by a school or playground or a beach, lake, swimming pool... pedophiles have made it difficult for everyone else. You can, for example, take a photo of someone who is sitting inside by the window of a restaurant but you cannot go inside and take a photo of anyone without first getting permission... they'll turn around and charge you with trespassing and invasion of privacy... and, even if they don't win, the hassle and cost of a defence ain't worth the trouble.

If a lady is using provocative clotheswear in public, she cannot claim expectation of privacy... but you cannot go by a person's window and photograph inside that person's premises without permission.

You can take photos of police officers as long as you are not in their face, giving them the excuse to assault you or arrest you for "obstruction" of police activity or investigation... be careful and be cautious... most often police officers that are doing something wrong will snatch your cell 'phone and/or camera (break it or confiscate it and have the images deliberately "accidentally" ruined or make them "disappear") so that you don't make them public or use the images against them... they can and will abuse YOU and your civil rights, so be careful and have witnesses.

Answer 6

No its not wrong at all actually a lot of art is done by just walking around and taking snap shots. Good Luck and have fun.

Answer 7

If you are in Holland,you can do that.But if you are in SaudiArabia they will CUT your SOMETHING. So these type of right and wrongs are depending up on the rules of the country or locality.

Answer 8

Yes, camera phones suck. Get a decent camera and take the pictures.