Photographers rights - what, who & where can you photograph?

[MarinChanev]

Hello Matt,

I like most of your videos. This one covers matter that is very interesting to me.

I was looking before for the rights of photographers and I found this video, which I mean could be interesting for you and your viewers:

It's called "Stand Your Ground".

This video is not made by me.

[lightpass777]

Thanks for the video Matt... if we cannot use publically taken images for 'commercially' advertising ourselves as photographers, does this mean that we cannot use our 'street photography' images of people in our online portfolio to demonstrate / advertise our photography?

[thatnikonguy]

@lightpass777 in australia you can sell them, but you cannot use them to promote a business or product. So make sure all images on your page are available for purchase.

[dimsimproduction]

where can i get a list of rights for perth

[alanemail11]

Who has the right to stop you from taking photos on private property? Is it only the owner, or do employees, management, customers, or only police...? I've been thinking about taking certain photos in major shopping centres in Victoria, but didn't know right/wrong. Any advice on approaching shopping centres for permission to take photos for a portfolio? Or am I best of just shooting until they threaten me/kick me out?

ThatCanonGuy

[thatnikonguy]

@alanemail11 I think if you approach them, get permission should be easiest. I would say the owner and building management have the right - security etc. Usuaully it is a very common issue, and they know if someone has been given permission, and will quickly toss out anyone else.

[funincluded]

@alanemail11

Any agent of the store who has authority to do tell you not to do so. A sign, in a reasonably clear place, would also work.

A security guard- clearly has authority

Bag boy- less clear

It's store specific, but really any employee could have that authority.

My recommendation- don't ask. You have the right until they say otherwise.

[caesar09]

@alanemail11 awesome name. haha

i too am, "thatcanonguy"

haha

[BGwOk]

what about museums and concert calls? can a venue prohibit you from taking photos?

[thatnikonguy]

@BGwOk a privately owned venue, in Australia, 100% yes they can.

[funincluded]

@BGwOk

If you are on their private property, yes. ("they" can)

If YOU are on public property, and can see into the venue; no, they cannot.

[leasaunce]

hey Matt!

thanks for this VERY useful video! what about Media (such as TV News) stealing a photographer's photo and using it on their show? are they allowed to do this?

[leasaunce]

@leasaunce one of my photos was stolen (without my consent) and used it on their tv show. I filed a complaint but they never replied.

[thatnikonguy]

@leasaunce are you in australia? Tell me more details.

[leasaunce]

@thatnikonguy im in sydney. Todaytonight used a photo which I took for another client. I posted the photo on flickr clearly stating that "use without my permission is illegal" but they took it anyway and aired on Todaytonight, last month. I emailed and emailed, filed a formal complaint and not a single reply from them. i'll send you the link via PM (as youtube doesn't allow to post URLs.

[thatnikonguy]

@leasaunce interesting, will get back to you, I have a friendly barrister who may speak to you.

[thatnikonguy]

@leasaunce glad to hear it.

[alexpirpiris]

As much as we're allowed to take photo's of people without permission, it's not always the best idea. At least not from my city. People just get shitty and swear at you.

[Die1101]

haha, I laughed at the upskirt part... "I hope you get in trouble" ;-)

[thatnikonguy]

@Die1101 come on, what kind of jerk will do that anyway! :)

[bobbyt2012]

Is that a Manfrotto jacket?

[thatnikonguy]

@bobbyt2012 yes - cool huh? I will make a video on that soon - is the Lino soft shell.

[bwinn10]

here in Boston M.A if you are doing street photogaphy you need the person's ok like anywhere else i guess but there is no rules unless your in a privately owned building

[thatnikonguy]

@bwinn10 what do you mean about street photography and peoples OK?

[bwinn10]

@thatnikonguy if i take a picture of someone and wanted to use that picture online or if i where to sell the pic i could have a lawsuit if that person dident give me the ok to use her image same thing goes for making videos here

[82ngt]

In Romania you can not do pictures anywhere.Stupid country,stupid people.You always hear "photography is forbidden",even in public places.If i do pictures to birds on houses,someone comes to me and says to stop make photos.I ashamed to live in Romania.Right now i started to read the law about us photographers.Good ideea to do this video :)

[thatnikonguy]

@82ngt Is it actual rules/laws, or just people attitude? Sounds tough. Thank you for sharing.

[82ngt]

@thatnikonguy Just people attitude.

[leohasit]

pretty much most of your LAWS are similar to the ones here in the US.

[thatnikonguy]

@leohasit good to hear - I wasn't sure if it would be tougher or easier due to your rights to privacy and rights to freedom of expression.

[ptavera]

Very important notice to all photographers over the world...know your rights and laws! good stuff Matt. cheers from Afghanistan

[thatnikonguy]

@ptavera what is the situation there? (in terms of photography?)

[ptavera]

@thatnikonguy there are no fixed law here with regard to photography, but what i do know you cannot take images of women directly as well as government and military establishments. Freely at your own risk you can take images just anywhere, i just make sure to ask permission first before taking the first click. When they say no it is NO; otherwise its all paparazzi style and if caught your thousands $ gear can be forcefully taken away and you cannot do nothing about it -- tough luck =)

[leohasit]

Gonna have to search laws here in the U.S.A

[thatnikonguy]

@leohasit good one - check your particular state.