Ethics Flashcards
Ethics – What is it?
Moral Principles which guide the choices we make.
Legal & Ethical issues for Photographers
Taking Photos in Public
Ethics of Photoshop
Avoiding Plagiarism
Copyright
Verbal Consent
When possible, establish a relationship before you start taking photos. When you approach photo subjects in the field, briefly introduce yourself and explain the purpose of your visit or the reason you want to take photos.
If you don’t speak the same language, communicate with your body language. At the very least, smile, nod, and point to your camera before shooting. If you sense any reluctance, confusion, or disdain, refrain from taking the photo. Respect a person’s right to refuse to be photographed.
Identify an adult who can give you verbal consent on behalf of children.
Written Consent
You should prepare your consent forms ahead of time.
If the person does not want to or cannot use a writing tool, obtain verbal permission. Have the consent witnessed by a literate witness who can sign or countersign the document and confirm that the form was read to the subject.
Consent
You need to get consent if you want to photograph places such as hospitals, shopping centres, airports or train stations.
When do you need to obtain Verbal Consent?
If you’re photographing someone under the age of 18 you will need their guardians consent before photographing them.
What is copyright
From the instant the shutter clicks or you have completed your work, you have a copyright.
Exception – If work is created by an employee as part of his/her duties under a “work for hire” contract
Work does not have to be registered with any government agency to be Copyrighted.
Infringement
Unauthorised use of a work without the Copyright Owner’s permission is called “Infringement” asking another photographer to recreate the image.
This could include:
Modifying an image without permission of the owner.
Using a whole or part of an image without permission.
Intrusion
Intrusion – A physical intrusion into a person’s private space.
Actions that may violate this include trespass, hidden cameras, lying to sources, and fraudulent entry.
False Light
False Light – Publication of false, highly offensive information about an individual.
Public Disclosure
Public Disclosure - embarrassing private facts about an individual.
When do you need to obtain written consent?
When there is recognisable or non-recognisable individuals in any setting where personal, private information is exposed in the photo or documented in the corresponding caption, such as:
Health status (e.g. HIV-positive person) Health behavior (e.g. alcohol and drug use etc.) Criminal behavior (e.g. perpetrator or victim of gender-based violence, etc.)
When is consent not needed?
When you photograph non-recognisable individuals in public (faces and all other identifying features are obscured).
Public figures in public (e.g. celebrities at campaign launches).
Crowds in public (e.g. an audience at outdoor concert).
Photographing Vulnerable People
Photographing and using photos of vulnerable populations requires extreme care and sensitivity. To protect the identity of individuals who may be put at risk of reprisal, violence, or rejection in their communities as a result of telling their story, it may be necessary to leave out detailed personal information. In such cases, use false names or no names for human photo subjects in high-risk situations.
Problems regarding ethics - street photography
Street photography in the way it’s practiced can sometimes have a less attractive side, often displayed by photographers through a lack of empathy with their subject, a lack of respect and justifying their actions in a way or another, usually by stating street photography is not illegal so it’s alright.
