why is a release required?

[Chrome Cam]

This is a photo of a revolutionary war reenactment .  The individuals are not recognizable, no faces are visible, they are in a public park location, and have provided an educational and historical portrayal as unpaid volunteers. should a release be necessary?    and should not require releases. 

[daniellei4510]

A model release will more than likely be required. The individuals can be identified by their clothing. 

[Jill_C]

The standard by which the need for a model release is determined is whether an individual would recognize themselves in the image which they certainly would due to the costumes, as well as the profiles on some of the men.

[Abambo]

Why do you think that "unpaid volunteers" having "provided educational and historical portrayal" should be forced to be exploited commercially by you, without giving their approval?

I would recognize myself on a picture like this, because of my specific unique costume. But this guy could even be identified by relatively strangers: 

This said, the composition of this picture is not really great.

[Chrome Cam]

Thanks for your opinion. Didn’t realize this response would be obnoxious
and judgemental. I will no longer participate. Respond whatever you want. I
won’t see it. I’m out.

[Abambo]

You're welcome. But really: I would not be happy to invest into this, just to learn that someone other gets the fruits of my hard work, without even asking my authorization. Those costumes and the activity are costly and nobody should expect that they are posing for free for commercial applications.

[Nancy OShea]

Feel free to use these images for personal projects.  But you can't use them commercially without permission from the "actors" and event owners.  To do so could result in lawsuits -- against you as well as Adobe.

If you're serious about Stock photography, take unsigned release forms with you when you travel. You never know when you'll be asked for them.

• Model/Intellectual Property Release Forms:
  https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/contributor/help/model-release.html
  https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/contributor/help/property-release.html