p.1 #1 · What type of releases are needed for an art project?
In August I'll be traveling through some really remote regions of the Appalachian mountains to work on a "human condition" photography project. Obviously it's not a commercial project, but hopefully the photos will turn out well enough for some gallery showings. I was wondering what sort of releases I should secure from the subjects.
p.1 #2 · What type of releases are needed for an art project?
One thing photographers do is ask each other for information about copyrights, etc. Not all of the advice is accurate. If you have serious questions, and I guess from this post you do, then contact an intellectual property rights attorney. He can correctly advise you on liability, copyright laws, etc. It is well worth the cost to get real advice.
p.1 #3 · What type of releases are needed for an art project?
If you're selling the photos for profit, then get a model release.
If you're not selling the photos for profit, get a model release.
It's much better to have one then not. In this case, it could be construed as art but it's the could be's that always get ya. If you have a release signed, then there should be no ambiguity as far as rights go.
p.1 #4 · What type of releases are needed for an art project?
Editorial uses, as in news and art, don't require releases. You would want a release if you expected stock sales as most stock houses want them. You would need a release if you use the images commercially (or might want to license them for commercial uses) - which is in promoting businesses, goods and services, including your own.
There are several sites with legal information by lawyers which may help answer your questions, the ASMP has a tutorial on releases. Also a couple of books on law for photographers. A good Google search should turn them up.
Forum advice can get confused and contradictory and there are some sites which offer advice which are not necessarily reliable. Most of the good sites, lawyers books and sites, will point out that the information is general and may not apply to the specifics of any given situation.
