Just wondering if anyone would happen to now if street photography is legal in Boston, or the surrounding town? Or if it goes by state..if its legal in Massachusetts?
Case, your not sure, street photography is basically taking candid photos of strangers sometimes with their knowledge, sometimes without.
2007-12-24 12:16:37 · 7 answers · asked by Ambiguous-Kat 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Photography
If you're standing on a public sidewalk, you can legally photograph whatever you can see, even if it's into someone's house.
You can't block the sidewalk with a tripod, or otherwise obstruct traffic. You can't stand in the street because that's a hazard, and you probably can't pop a big strobe in their face, temporarily blinding them, but otherwise, you can photograph whatever you can see from a public location.
Now there is another issue which you might call "ethics," or consideration of people's feelings, but that's voluntary. Personally, I try to be considerate, but that's just me.
What you can do with the picture is another matter, and covered by a different set of rules. For instance, you can't use a picture you took to defame someone. You can't distort it so that they look stupid, etc. but I would think that a legitimate artistic purpose is fair game.
2007-12-24 12:28:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Like stated, there is no problem with what you shoot, just as long as it's on public property. You must understand, though, to be careful since someone might want to take your gear when you're not looking. That would be the worst of it.
I read an interesting article in this months Pop Photo magazine. It deals with the same thing you, and I, are talking about. "Catch and Release"
"When does a photographer need a model release? I've ben shooting candidds for many years, and would like to put them into print. But, I've been led to believe I can't even enlarge and exhibit my photos without a model release." The answerthe magazine is:
"Attorney Bert Krages, author of 'Legal Handbook for Photographers: The Rights and Liabilities of Making Images', says that you must obtain permission in the form of a model release for commercial use of an image of a person. 'Commercial use' is either as an advertisement for a commercial product or the product itself, such as a product label, T-shirt, or mass-produced poster. Illustrating magazine articles or fine-art prints generally aren't considered commerical use."
You see, just as long as you're not going to do anything bad, or doing anything illegal to get them, using images of people without a release is perfectly legal. Just be sure to do it legally.
Hope this helps.
2007-12-24 23:16:03 · answer #2 · answered by electrosmack1 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Along with the other interesting answers here, use caution when attempting to photograph the new bridge ( forgot the name ), as apparently the police will harass you if they catch you. A close friend went down to shoot the new bridge exclusively and got into a verbal scuffle with a highway patrolman. The officer actually said it was against the law to photograph the bridge, which of coarse it isn't but still, be discrete and avoid the entire situation.
So much for the Land of The Free eh ?
2007-12-24 22:13:39 · answer #3 · answered by J-MaN 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyone should, IMO, take time to read the article "Right To Keep and Bear Cameras" by Roger W. Hicks in the Dec. 2007 issue of Shutterbug Magazine (shutterbug.com). He makes some very good points that we all should be aware of.
While you're visiting shutterbug.com, look up the May 2007 article "Privacy Rights & Copyrights" by Maria Piscopo.
I also support your right to arm and keep bears but that's another topic hehe.
2007-12-25 07:16:20 · answer #4 · answered by EDWIN 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is legal to take the picture, however, sometimes it is more difficult to determine what is legal to do with the picture.
Caution: street photography can be dangerous.
2007-12-24 21:01:51 · answer #5 · answered by Mere Mortal 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, you may take ANY pictures of anyone at any time as long as you are on public property and on private property if it's yours or you have permission. you can take pictures of anything also. i took pics of a nuclear powerplant as a cop was giving me cra# but i kept doing it as it is not illegal and he knew that. i was really taking pics of the trains as they were moving things around in there. yes you will get hassles from so called authority idiots but just ignore them. just watch the news on t v you see stuff all the time that they are not nessessarily shooting at.
2007-12-24 21:02:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
people in public are public domain but you could still get punched so be careful.
2007-12-24 21:33:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋