JohnBoy5562 Loc: Alabama

In the USA can you take pictures in public without asking? I always do ask because it’s the thing to do in my opinion. Today at the park a young lady I’m guessing 19 or 20 was dressed up in a angle costume and I thought it was cute but she was being photographed by some one and she was on the other side of the creek. So I asked if I could take a picture from across the creek. I had and 55-300mm so I wasn’t invading her space. But the photographer was kind of rude and said no. So I didn’t. But I did take candid shots of people from afar. I did ask one person if I could take their photo and she said yes. So any way I’m posting a few shots from today. But not of people until I know it’s ok to post.
As far as my question? Do you legally have to ask to take candid shots at a park?

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AzShooter1 Loc: Surprise, Az.

Good set. Yeah, some people are nasty about taking pictures. That's why I do landscapes. LOL.

DAN Phillips Loc: Graysville, GA

I have never had a lion, tiger or bear question me as to why I was taking his/her picture.
Too thine own self be true!

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Legally, public figures have no right to privacy when it comes to having their picture taken. Other folks, like you and me, have an EXPECTATION of privacy. Paparazzi thrive on public figures, they ignore folks like you and me because the tabloids want only movie stars and political figures because that's what SELLS.
Amateur, non professionals here will tell you that they can stick their camera in anyone's nose IN PUBLIC. I strongly disagree, the RIGHT thing to do is always ask permission. But, think about it, the photographer you saw taking the photo's of the young person was probably a professional, when I took wedding photo's I had a clause in my contract that limited photographers. Maybe he had a similar contract.
Anyway, I always ask permission, most folks I find are flattered.

catchlight.. Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway

The answer is actually simple and universal.

You can not showcase an individual or child without their permission in a public space.

If it is a public event or function, and you do not single out individuals, then that is legal.

You are not allowed to feature any person in a negative light.

At private gatherings, you will need permission for any image.

Some one would need to request that you remove their image from social media before action can be taken against you, Your refusal would be where the trouble would start.

... unless you featured someone in a negative manner, then you can be held responsible for any damage caused.

Woodsman Loc: North of Peterborough Ontario

I do mostly nature and I am no expert on the laws, however I believe common sense goes a long way. If I am taking pictures in the park and catch adults in the background then so be it. If I am taking pictures on a street and there are people on the sidewalk that's fine by me. But if I am going to take an individual or specific group then I ask. My one rule is "no children in the shot" even in the background. Peoples radars will kick in and you may end up in an unintentional world of hurt. That's why I prefer nature, they don't typically complain.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Pictures of people will get you into trouble sooner or later ......is why I do wildlife/landscapes/macro ! Animals/birds can't sue.
.

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

Exactly!!
Bob

Lance Pearson Loc: Viriginia

I usually ask especially if youngsters are involved. However, each state has slightly different laws. In a public place where no prohibition against photography is posted generally you may take photos of anyone or anything for your own use. However, if you take them for commercial uses you must in the vast majority of cases get the subject's permission. In terms of negative there are now many laws emerging which tackle the idea of revenge porn from former friends, etc. and they are used to justify no photos of a person without their permission. It changes all the time and the best policy is to ask even for personal non commercial use only. The hastle alone is not worth it. Good thing animals in nature don't talk too! I do not know the state of laws on drone cameras but I suspect you ought not to use them to spy and photo others either. That is a very evolving set of laws. Common sense should prevail. If you are invading privacy you ought not to without willing permission. Drones are commonly used to photo real estate listings and many other things now so the law there is evolving including how it applies to people. If I saw a drone photographing me I'd just get the shotgun and see how well they fly with a little lead in them.

catchlight.. Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

I have been a street or event photographer (videographer) at times.
I am going to take the other side of the story. I have 2 amazingly beautiful granddaughters.
I have not had to decide if a stranger can take pic when I am out with them.
I have always told my adult children put your self in the other person's place
to understand the situation.I always use charm to make friends with a candidate.

I have been working for a classic ballet school shooting their classes and creating videos for promotion.
My contact their is good at using the net and social networking. She believes in the count of people
who look at a youtube video. Usually my videos get 300-500 hits. Make sense people looking for
a ballet school for their children. My contact was raving at the thousands of hits she got from the
young girls in a new extreme stretching class she did and posted. I didn't not tell her I feared the hits were voyeurs and other people who are not ballet fans. Sad world at times.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Unfortunately, it is...

carney2

No one has a "right to privacy" when they are in a public place. You are asking THE biggest question in street photography. It's your photo and your decision. Personally, I always go for "the moment." You don't get it when people know you're shooting them and begin to "pose."

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

This subject has been dealt with numerous times here on UHH. If people are in public they have no reasonable right to privacy. You can take photos if you wish. However these photos cannot be used for say, advertising without a signed Model Release. For me personally I do interject common sense. I don't take photos of children for example. Even with personal friends, I do not take photos of their children until I ask OR they are right there and see me take the photo of their child. They know I will be sending them a copy at some point.

I do not ask permission to take photos of others unless I am in close proximity to the person when I might want just a close up of their face for example. Otherwise I take the picture.

Dennis

JohnBoy5562 Loc: Alabama

Thanks for all the information. I was thinking since I had a 300 zoom lens on a DX camera which I think gives me 450 I could have taken the shoot from 50 yards away without her knowing but I did the polite thing and asked. Next time I guessing if they are in a public park it’s ok to take candid shoots.
I like taking candid shoots of people are sometimes better than the ones I get if I ask them to pose. Especially when taking photos of my children. The shoots I get when they don’t know they are being photograph seams to give me better results and the pictures seam more natural.