[deevee]

A very good read for all of the photographers on this forum. It not only covers Model Releases, but also talks about Property Releases, Trademarks, Portfolios and Posting images online.

Busting Myths about Model Releases

[Outlaw]

? From the link you provided its covered under #6. Nothing is needed for contests. ?

[deevee]

More than likely no, except if for example the contest is indoors and it's posted that no photography is allowed or if you sign something saying the same thing. You are for the most part protected under the First Amendment. For me personally, I'm of the mindset that it's sometimes best to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission

[StuckZilla]

Good article. Releases are a touchy and confusing area. I like the common sense approach the author has taken. Point #2 is consistent with my experience with local papers. They don't care about releases in the least. Releases come into play very much with ad campaigns where a significant amount of time and money is committed and can't be put at risk. The release serves to stop a lot of nonsense.

The author also touched on the practice of asking permission ahead of time. While you have the ability to just start clicking away there a subject management concern. What it boils down to is what approach will give you the kind of access you need to achieve the kind of images you want to make. If asking will give you more access, better angles and most importantly a rapport with you subject then asking is the right thing to do. If asking gives you nothing that you already have then it's most likely a waste of time.

[cj-5]

Good article...bottom line, I took the photo, therefore I own the photo and can do with it what I choose. As long as it is not causing personal, financial or undue distress on another person or business...no harm, no foul.
HOWEVER, if I take photos of you while you are with your girlfriend and ask you for money so that your wife doesn't see them, that's extorsion. The Extorsion part is illegal, not photography part.
Additionally, pornographic photography requires the consent of the subject, but the distribution of the images afterward does not.
I do a LOT of photographic work here, and have had people get really offended when they realised that I had captured their image in a public setting without their consent. My initial response is always the same..."is there anything that you need to hide, that might be in that picture ?"," anything that is private and would cause your life undue stress and hardship ??" NO ?? okay, MOVE ON !!
If the answer is Yes, and followed by a reasonable sounding statement, I try to be respectful.

[Krocker]

Nice read, if ever I got good photos I'll try to share it here...