Question for street photographers

GHP

GHP

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Name
Gary
Edit My Images
Yes
Just a quick one, and it's probably been asked before, but I can't find it.

I am thinking of starting a "stop a stranger and ask them if I can take their portrait" type of project
and was wondering if those of you who have done this type of thing get the stranger to sign a model release?

My original plan was to explain why I am doing it, and making sure they are OK with me posting their pics on, say, here and Flickr.
Would that be OK, or would I need something in writing? I feel that a release would sort of spoil the mood.

So, release or not?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Cheers,
Gary
 
boyfalldown said:
Personally I wouldn't bother. If a stranger wanted me to pose for them OK. Sign something for a random bloke. No chance
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simonblue said:
I done a bit,no release form here :)
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Thanks for your responses, they are appreciated.
I agree with both of you TBH. I wouldn't sign something from a stranger, even though I would be happy to have my pic taken.

I understand the general rule for releases: ie if its for commercial work, then get a release, if it's for private projects, probably not worth it.
Is this general rule of thumb correct?
I would only be shooting on the street, not on private property or anywhere that has a restriction of any kind.
 
This is only from what I have picked up on TP, but I believe they are not necessary in the UK, though many pros use them in case the images are sold overseas where they may be. That is probably a gross simplification, but may be of use.
 
Bythesea said:
This is only from what I have picked up on TP, but I believe they are not necessary in the UK, though many pros use them in case the images are sold overseas where they may be. That is probably a gross simplification, but may be of use.
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Thank you, this is something I thought I had read too, just wasn't sure. And I can't envisage anyone wanting to sell any images internationally ! (Would be nice though!)

Jayst84 said:
A 'model release' would be worth exactly nothing anyway, so wouldn't bother wasting the time and creeping people out. Just talk to people and take photos.
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Thank you. This basically my thinking too. Just got to pluck up the courage and have a go I think.

Thanks again for your replies.
Cheers,
Gary
 
I have some business cards pointing to my website. If I was doing a project like that, I'd give them them the ability to see the image, contact details.
 
Byker28i said:
I have some business cards pointing to my website. If I was doing a project like that, I'd give them them the ability to see the image, contact details.
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Thank you, this is going to be my approach to it I think.

Cheers,
Gary
 
Hi Gary,
I am into my second round of 100 strangers. I don't ask the strangers to sign anything, I feel it would make the whole interaction/engagement a bit clunky.
I hand the strangers a card with all my contact details on. I don't ask for any details from them bar their first name. I explain that I post the photographs on flickr and my Facebook photography page.
Hope this helps.

Iain
 
blakester said:
Hi Gary,
I am into my second round of 100 strangers. I don't ask the strangers to sign anything, I feel it would make the whole interaction/engagement a bit clunky.
I hand the strangers a card with all my contact details on. I don't ask for any details from them bar their first name. I explain that I post the photographs on flickr and my Facebook photography page.
Hope this helps.

Iain
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Actually Iain it is your project which made me decide to start planning my attempt.
I think it's inspirational.
I intend to use the same approach as you TBH, and I'm looking forward to making a start quite soon.
Thanks for reading my post.
Cheers,
Gary.
 
@GHP
Gary, not wishing to give advice, far from it but I would say go for it. Don't spend too long thinking about it. There was a bloke over on flickr, around the strangers group who planned starting his project. He wasn't starting until he had a specific lens, his business cards printed, etc, etc, but do you know, I don't think he ever started it.
Good luck!
 
blakester said:
@GHP
Gary, not wishing to give advice, far from it but I would say go for it. Don't spend too long thinking about it. There was a bloke over on flickr, around the strangers group who planned starting his project. He wasn't starting until he had a specific lens, his business cards printed, etc, etc, but do you know, I don't think he ever started it.
Good luck!
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You're absolutely right !
The more I "plan" a project, the less likely it seems to be materialising !
That's it, I'm going to start on Monday.
Working until then, dammit !
 
Steve Smith said:
That's a simple one to answer. If it's for private use, what are you going to do with a release?


Steve.
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My thinking was that if I post it on, say, Flickr, and some-one saw it and thought it was the next shot for their worldwide ad campaign, and were prepared to pay a king's ransom for the privilege,
then where would I stand.
( I know, not exactly likely, but . . . .)
 
GHP said:
My thinking was that if I post it on, say, Flickr, and some-one saw it and thought it was the next shot for their worldwide ad campaign, and were prepared to pay a king's ransom for the privilege,
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But that's not private use any more!



Steve,
 
I haven't been approached by anyone wishing to licence one of my stranger portraits Gary but I have for another shot where both a woman and the premises she is sitting in are quite recognisable.
I have never had anyone I've photographed sign a release of any description. I declined to sell the image for that reason. Different strokes for different folks but thats not why I shoot the project and street photography.
Cross that bridge when you come to it, but I wouldn't worry about it. Enjoy the project, I find it so enlightening, meeting so many individuals.
 
blakester said:
Cross that bridge when you come to it, but I wouldn't worry about it. Enjoy the project, I find it so enlightening, meeting so many individuals.
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That's what I will do !
Looking forward to it already.
I'm just going to forget about the release forms !
 
I wonder if the paparazzi ask their subjects to sign a release before they sell their street photos?
 
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