Shutterstock Photographer Forum :: View topic - question about witness and photo ids

pkest · Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Posts: 66

Ok I did a search on the forum and am now confused.

I see where Jon has told a photographer that he can indeed be the witness on a model release. Yet I see others saying that it must be a third party.

I have seen someone say that the 'photo ids' field is for something like a drivers license number and others say they paste the number of the submitted photo that the release is for in there.

So 2 questions that it would be nice to have a definitive answer on from Shutterstock...Can the photographer be the witness and is the photo id field for a photo id of the model or the photo ids of the submissions?

Thanks.
Phil

StuartE · Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 12:43 am

I've always put in the id of the image that the release is associated with in the photo ID field - if that's wrong I'm sure it'd have been pulled up by now??

As far as I understand witnessing of signatures, I have always believed it has to be by a third party, indpendant to the two people signing the form - I can't see the logic of the photographer witnessing the signature, given they would be the one called into court to verify that the person who signed did actually sign - and in that case, they'd be a witness in their own defence which would be less than ideal...

My wife is a commisioner for declarations, and a justice of the peace - she witnesses documents all the time - and she also believes that a 'witness' to a signature should be a third party...

Other than that, let's see what the official stand is... :-)

Cheers,
Stuart

Tim · Joined: 10 Mar 2005 Posts: 458 Location: UK

I leave the photo ID's blank!
Before I joined shutterstock I had model releases that didn't even have a witness. I think that high profile sales would require more, but chances are that I'm not going to see my pictures that require model releases here in the UK anyway, so I doubt I'll be in trouble.

Or does shutterstock sell alot over here? Maybe a price structure in Euros and Pounds would help international sales? As in just having different ways to pay, so customers wouldn't have to figure out how much $139 is in their currency. I'm fine with being paid in dollars. My bank does me a good deal. and I've only earned $7 :-)

pkest · Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Posts: 66

rankamateur · Joined: 23 Dec 2004 Posts: 957 Location: Colorado

This found by searching:
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Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2005 6:14 pm Post subject: ShutterStock Nudity Guidelines

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Our reviewers and I have decided on a few guidelines for nudity.

1) Image must be marketable. Gratuitous nudity that doesn't have a commercial application will not be accepted.
2) Models must look to be at least 25 years old (at ShutterStock's sole discretion). There is no need for young looking nude models -- And we don't even want to get close to the line here. There will be a separate section on the model release form for a signature indicating you know for sure models at least 25 years old.
3) Any nudity requires a photo ID attached (driver's license or passport) to the model release and uploaded or faxed in. This applies even if you cannot see the face of the model.

We will be requiring this for current photos as well - and will have a grace period for users to fax in these materials-- if you have any nude photos on our site, you will be notified by email with a deadline.

This should be fair, protective, and good business for everyone.... Comments are welcome - and we understand that we aren't the body police - But there are a few legal issues here, and we aren't about to ride the line.

Jon, and my 2 reviewers

Last edited by shutterstock on Fri Jan 14, 2005 6:13 am; edited 1 time in total
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(all between ******** is quoted)

Perhaps that will help?

pkest · Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Posts: 66

Ok so the photo id field does appear to be for a picture id of the model and is only necessary if there is nudity in the shots.

Thanks.
Phil

MHD · Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 7:39 pm

I would also like to find out about the witness issue...
Life would be much eaiser if we could witness ourselves

ChrisPoliquin · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 169

We should at least be able to witness ourselves for self portraits.

MHD · Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 8:54 pm

any official answer on the witness issue???

StuartE · Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 9:15 pm

Official Position
I've just called the AWPS (Australian Witness Protection Scheme) and apparently all witnesses must remain anonymous, no contact with their previous life, so if you witness your own self portrait you're probably signing your own death warrant at the same time...

Yes, not enough sleep, and too much caffeeeeeeeeine... lol

Cheers,
Stuart

MHD · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 10:23 pm

no "other" official answers?