what constitutes "recognizable"

[opus]

when one would need a model release?

Suppose you get pictures of people on a ski hill, clothed head to foot in ski clothes and goggles (as, for instance, you see on my "brochure challenge" thread).

You can't see their facial features, so are they "recognizable"? Or would you argue that one might recognize them by their outfit?

Or another case: you snap a picture of a navy seal skydiving into a stadium. Again, you see no facial features, but obviously there are very few people who do this and someone who knows who was skydiving that day might "recognize" the person by their body type.

What are the boundaries here?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Trevor Ash]

What are the boundaries here?

I'd imagine the lawyers set the boundaries. So when in doubt, try and get the release, and if you don't have one, be careful.

Of course I'm not qualified to answer this question as I've never even looked at a model release or sold a photograph.

[racingpinarello]

If somebody can say, "hey, that's me in that photograph", then you need a model release if the image will be sold/used in a public forum.

My stock agency is very tough on the issue, so now I always carry releases in my backpack.

Loren