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N
Nature1213
Known Participant
April 22, 2023
Answered

Doubt regarding street and architecture photography

  • April 22, 2023
  • 4 replies
  • 2099 views

Good evening Adobe people, I need your help regarding a question I have about street photography and architectural photography.

How should I take the street and architectural photography and what elements have to appear in it so that it does not have rights problems with third parties? How can I know if a historic building or a street has copyright and thus avoid a problem, thanks.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Jill_C

I take many street and architecture photographs during my travels, but I do so for my own enjoyment and to remember the places I've visited.  However, I rarely try to edit them to be suitable for Adobe Stock. It's just not worth the time required to edit out logos and signs and car license plates, etc. given that the royalty payout is so low. 

4 replies

Nancy OShea
Community Expert
Nancy OSheaCommunity Expert
Community Expert
April 22, 2023

Cityscapes are fine.  But when you focus your camera on a single building, it becomes the subject of your photo which can pose challenges for commercial use.

 

All commercial use photos must be legally cleared of any encumberances.

  • Branded signs and addresses must be removed.
  • Identifiable license plate numbers on vehicles must be removed.
  • Advertisements on buses and billboards must be removed.
  • No branded or protected merchandise in shop windows.
  • Identifiable people must sign model releases.
  • To be on the safe side, most modern buildings should have property releases signed by the building's owners.

Take blank release forms with you when you go on location.

 

===========
Model/Property Releases:
https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/contributor/help/model-release.html
https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/contributor/help/property-release.html

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
N
Nature1213Author
Known Participant
April 23, 2023

The thing is very complicated, I think I'm going to leave it, it would save me problems.

T
Test Screen Name
Legend
April 22, 2023

Street photography also: no store (shop) names. No brand names. No recognisable goods. No adverts. No license plates. No car logos/names. No unique or recognisable stores (recognisable by ANYONE including the owner). No graffiti (in theory a property release would be ok in this case, but you can't get one). No public art. No branded trash.  No recognisable shoes or clothing. 

Yes, street photography is very difficult to do in a way that is acceptable.

N
Nature1213Author
Known Participant
April 23, 2023

It is very difficult to take a photo without rights problems in these photo modes, I thought it was difficult, but not so much.

T
Test Screen Name
Legend
April 23, 2023

Yes, very difficult. Not impossible, if you choose very carefully and are willing to spend a lot of time on realistic removal of IP. Look for instance at these photos on the subject of "High Street" https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=high+street&search_type=usertyped (remember the list of photos shown will be different each time).

You may see a business logo - but hover over the image and it should say "Editorial only".

In a few cases (such as image 350970792) you see actual business names with no "Editorial only". These were either accepted under old rules or accepted in error.

    Abambo
    Community Expert
    AbamboCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    April 22, 2023

    Street photography: no people, except you have a model release.

    Architecture: If the building is identifiable, you need a property release. If the building is protected, you can't take pictures. You need to know which buildings are protected, but there is a non-exhaustive list available from Adobe. https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/contributor/help/known-image-restrictions.html

     

    ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer
      N
      Nature1213Author
      Known Participant
      April 23, 2023

      So, if I take a photo of a street without people that doesn't have copyright issues?

      RALPH_L
      Community Expert
      RALPH_LCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      April 23, 2023

      Street photography in Stock Photos is tough and a lot of work.

      Archetecture is not street photography. Buildings are not a problem if they are not the main subject of the photo.

      This can present a problem if you are doing archetectual photography.

      Street sceenes are a problem with identifiable people, cars, logos, signs, trademarks ect. 

        Jill_C
        Community Expert
        Jill_CCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        April 22, 2023

        Have you read the Adobe Help page on this subject?

        https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/contributor/help/property-release.html

         

         

        Jill C., Forum Volunteer
        N
        Nature1213Author
        Known Participant
        April 23, 2023

        Yes, but I wanted to have more opinions to make a decision about whether to also dedicate myself to taking street and architecture photographs, and the truth is that this is very difficult.

        Jill_C
        Community Expert
        Jill_CCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
        Community Expert
        April 23, 2023

        I take many street and architecture photographs during my travels, but I do so for my own enjoyment and to remember the places I've visited.  However, I rarely try to edit them to be suitable for Adobe Stock. It's just not worth the time required to edit out logos and signs and car license plates, etc. given that the royalty payout is so low. 

        Jill C., Forum Volunteer
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