Re: Taking photos of strangers

[P3D <MarkKernes@xxxxxxx>]

Dr T writes <<Imagine this (true) story: I am taking stereo pictures of my
children
playing outside McDonald's.  One little 4 year old girl is playing with
them.  She ends up in several of my pictures.  So, I run inside to
find her parents.  While they are eating their hamburger and greasy fries
I explain to them that I am an amateur photographer who it taking
stereo pictures of my children at play.  Their daughter just happened
to be in some of the pictures.  I have a feeling that one of these
pictures might turn out good enough to want to share in slide sharing
circuits or send for slide competitions, to be viewed by 100 people
the most, in a situation where neither I or anyone else will gain any
direct financial gains.  I explain that this is a remote possibility
but I want to have all the bases covered.  I pull out that release
form and ask them to sign it.  I can just imagine looking at me 
surprised, not sure what to make of me or my story or my funny camera
for that matter.  Most probably they will refuse to sign anything and 
I will have to go home and keep these slides in my private collection.>> etc.

After 20 years as a court reporter (my former profession), I can't imagine a
judge in any court in this land even allowing a frivilous lawsuit to go
forward like one involving the use of a picture of a stranger, taken in
public, used in a competition or even published in a magazine (assuming it's
not a porno) that didn't defame the person.


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