Copyright Release Form

Before You Sign: Practical Points for Contributors

A release form is only as useful as the understanding behind it, so it is worth taking a few minutes to check that your images are genuinely yours to share. In photography, copyright normally belongs to the person who pressed the shutter. There are common exceptions, though. If you shot an event while employed by a studio, a production house or a newspaper, the rights may belong to your employer rather than to you. Cinema stills deserve particular care. Publicity stills released by a film's producers usually remain the property of the production company, even when they circulate widely online. If you did not take the photograph yourself, please do not submit it unless you hold written permission from the rights holder.

People in your pictures

Copyright covers the image, not the people in it. Candid shots from weddings, temple festivals, college cultural nights or street scenes in Chennai often include recognisable faces. It is good practice to ask permission where you reasonably can, especially for close-up portraits and for any images showing children. Private family functions call for more caution than public events.

Keep your own records

• Hold on to the original, unedited files and their metadata. These are the simplest proof of authorship.
• Note the date, location and occasion of each shoot so that captions in our albums stay accurate.
• Keep copies of any written permissions from subjects, organisers or co-photographers.

What editing means here

Presentation edits usually mean cropping to fit a mosaic grid, resizing for faster loading, or light colour correction so a set looks consistent. If you would prefer that certain images are never cropped or altered, please say so when you submit them.

This form gives a general overview and is not legal advice. If your work involves commercial agreements, model releases or disputed ownership, it is sensible to consult a lawyer who knows Indian copyright law. To see how other photographers are credited, visit our contributors page. For questions about a specific submission, use the contact page.