Protecting Privacy, Limiting Street Photography – NYTimes.com

Protecting the Right to Photograph, or Not to Be Photographed

Confusion over France’s strict privacy laws has made it harder for street photographers to work in the tradition of legends like Henri Cartier-Bresson.

via Lens Blog: http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/23/paris-city-of-rights/

In his 20-year career, Mr. Turpin has learned how to be inconspicuous, relying on a small Leica and a quick smile — especially when he’s shooting in France, whose privacy laws are among the world’s strictest. “Everyone has the right to respect for his private life,” states Article 9 of France’s civil code. Yet, as many street photographers have discovered, the law is open to judges’ interpretation because legislators have refused to define the concept of privacy in clear terms