Street photography and ethics

Street photography can be beautiful, fascinating, and even necessary for photojournalism. But it can also be obnoxious and disrespectful, causing anger and resentment. In some areas, you could even get into trouble for taking street photos.

        

For example, France has strict privacy laws, which includes street photography. And in Amsterdam’s Red Light District, street photos of sex workers are forbidden. You could try it, but your camera might end up getting thrown in a canal. (Try one of these beautiful Amsterdam neighborhoods instead.)

In many places, though, street photographers are given a lot of freedom. They can legally take photos without asking permission as long as they’re on public property where privacy can’t be expected.

But then, the law isn’t everything. As photographer Jamie Windsor says in this thought-provoking video about street photography, “Just because something is legal, doesn’t mean it’s ethical.”

Watch the video of Jamie Windsorabout street photography and its ethics 

When you start dabbling in street photography, you have to consider what your ethical standards are. For instance, is it okay to publish humiliating photos of people? Should you ask for permission before taking photos of children? Are any photos off-limits from an ethical standpoint?

These are tough questions you’ll have to answer for yourself. But regardless of your standpoint, here are some techniques and ideas you can apply to your own street photography