1bwana1 wrote:
A young woman sitting by the door on the long train ride from Wetzlar to Berlin today. I got aggressively told by someone on the train that it was against the law in Germany to take photos with people in them unless they give you permission. I had to delete all my images from today. This person said it was OK so I got to keep this one image.
I'd suggest for your next visit to Germany looking up the exact law in respect to what you can and can't do. Without knowing the exact circumstances or being there when this happened to you on the train, it's also possible the aggrieved person was overreacting, because there are exceptions.
Photos with people in them are apparently OK if the people are not the main focus of the composition or easily identifiable, such as your photo of the red cyclist, or the woman visiting the Holocaust Memorial (because it's from behind). Possibly also festivals, rallies and similar. There are apparently also 'artistic' exceptions but I imagine it would get into gray areas of interpretation 'on the street' and might be difficult to argue with an annoyed person.
In any case, it is very different in Germany compared to the US or Canada where generally anything goes until you intend to commercially exploit such images outside of editorial applications, in which case you will require permission from those in them. A lot of photos posted in this thread would be impermissible.
From my many visits to Munich I only had one person ever challenge me about it, but I also didn't typically put my camera in people's faces. If you want people in the photos, then go to touristy places with lots of foreigners who won't know the German restrictions. Or just shoot backs of people if you need human content in a scene. Yeah, it sucks.
rscheffler wrote:
I'd suggest for your next visit to Germany looking up the exact law in respect to what you can and can't do. Without knowing the exact circumstances or being there when this happened to you on the train, it's also possible the aggrieved person was overreacting, because there are exceptions.
Photos with people in them are apparently OK if the people are not the main focus of the composition or easily identifiable, such as your photo of the red cyclist, or the woman visiting the Holocaust Memorial (because it's from behind). Possibly also festivals, rallies and similar. There are apparently also 'artistic' exceptions but I imagine it would get into gray areas of interpretation 'on the street' and might be difficult to argue with an annoyed person.
In any case, it is very different in Germany compared to the US or Canada where generally anything goes until you intend to commercially exploit such images outside of editorial applications, in which case you will require permission from those in them. A lot of photos posted in this thread would be impermissible.
From my many visits to Munich I only had one person ever challenge me about it, but I also didn't typically put my camera in people's faces. If you want people in the photos, then go to touristy places with lots of foreigners who won't know the German restrictions. Or just shoot backs of people if you need human content in a scene. Yeah, it sucks.
This is starting to get out of hand. Today I was innocently exploring the side streets and alleys of Florence Italy when I ran into this lovely young lady selling scooters. You all know the results of that encounter. I think I have enough for all my Grandchildren who are on the trip with us, and maybe one for Huss.
This scam is now officially international in scope. There is no hiding from it....
1bwana1 wrote:
This is tarting to get out of hand. Today I was innocently exploring the side street and alley of Florence Italy when I ran into this lovely young lady selling scooters. You all know the results of that encounter. I think I have enough for all my Grandchild red who are on the trip with us, and maybe bone for Huss.
This scam is now officially international in scope. There is no hiding from it....
Halfway around the world and you find the TV ladies cousin. At least you always manage to come away with a nice picture.
I came across this unique natural spot lighting in a small dark alley in Florence. Luck provided for this guy to walk by and I asked him to stop so I could make this image. he was kind enough to do it.
Sunset over the Ponte Vecchio from just out front of our apartment. The weather this trip is perfect, and the Tuscan colors are just so wonderful as always. Shot with my grandchildren as we were walking home from dinner.
Another from the Berlin river walk. Hard to imagine two more different cities than Berlin and Florence. Somehow both beautiful in their own ways. A lot of fun images this trip.
Or just shoot backs of people if you need human content in a scene. Yeah, it sucks. 
