Many of my favorite photographs from my travels are setups -- meaning I imagine the best possible pictures and then go about making them happen. This shot is an example. Gondolas are classic symbols of Venice, Italy, and so are costumes and masks. So, I put them together by asking the costumed people whose outfits I admired if they would like to be photographed in a gondola. As long as they don't have a previous engagement, they always say yes because with no expense to them, they get classically beautiful images that they wouldn't otherwise have. In this picture, I used a 14mm lens to show the environment with extensive depth of field. My settings were 1/100, f/5, and 500 ISO. I know it's difficult for a lot of photographers to go up to strangers and ask to photograph them, but if you want the pictures you see in your mind to become a reality, that's what you have to do.
3 Comments
Feb 7, 2016, 2:21:33 PM
Jim - Thanks, Carlton.
Bonnie -- It depends on what you want to do with the pictures. For example, to sell prints of people at a local art fair, a release really isn't needed. Could you be sued? Sure, but it's extremely unlikely. If the pictures are going to be submitted to a stock agency, they will want releases even of people in costumes. Agencies have deep pockets and they can and do get sued for anything. The person in the costume could say, 'That's my costume and no one wears it but me.' Therefore, a judge can award damages for using the image without a release. Street photography also requires releases unless used for editorial (i.e. newspapers) purposes.
I no longer send people prints. If they have email or Facebook, I send them pictures that way. Today, that's really what they want.
Thanks for your compliment, and I hope you can come on a photo tour with me at some point in the future.
Feb 7, 2016, 6:29:30 AM
Bonnie Davidson - Jim, when you ask someone if you can photograph the, I have a couple of questions. 1) I would think you would not need a model release for costumed people? But if you're on the street doing plain street photography, do you need a release from the people you shoot? 2) Would you offer to send them a print, either mailed or emailed?
I love your images and if I ever get the funds, I'll be with you on one of your workshops.
Thanks!
Feb 7, 2016, 3:13:52 AM
Carlton McEachern - Beautiful colours and composition Jim.