Street Photography Magazine

Street Photography | Shooting and Publishing

In principle, you are allowed to photograph

whatever you want to in a public place, and

this usually includes people. However, you

have to be aware that you are not necessarily

allowed to publish everything you capture. In

these days of omnipresent photo blogs, online

photo communities and endless stock photo

agencies, it is important to know which basic

rules you should follow when taking and

publishing photographic images. Adhering to

the law regarding personal rights doesn’t

indicate a lack of courage, but is rather a sign

of respect that can also save you a lot of

trouble and legal difficulties.

The photos on these pages, which are all of

people in public places, are intended to

illustrate what you can and cannot

photograph, and indicate when you need to

ask permission to publish.

If you photograph someone and plan to

publish any or all of the results online or in

print, you should always ask your subject for

permission. However, if a person poses for the

camera, this is considered to be equivalent to

permission granted. You always need to

obtain separate permission if it is not entirely

clear to a subject that your images are

intended for publication. Copyright law and

laws relating to what constitutes art vary from

country to country, so always check with a

legal expert if you are not sure which

regulations apply to your particular situation.

Personal rights usually have priority over the

laws governing general artistic freedom.

You are not allowed to publish photos of

people that are taken without their

knowledge, unless you subsequently obtain

permission. It often helps to gain permission if

you offer to send the subject a print of one of

your photos. The widespread rumor that you

are allowed to publish photos of groups of five

or more people without asking permission is

groundless.

People as ‘Padding’

You generally require permission to publish

photos of people, although there are some

exceptions. Shots like the one of the

scaffolding opposite in which people only

appear incidentally and are not the actual

What is Allowed on a Street Shoot?

This is clearly a portrait, even if it was taken in an obviously public place.

Such a photo always requires permission from the subject.

ISO 400 | 85mm focal length | f2.8 | 1/1000 s