ᐅ Setting Up a Time-Lapse Camera for House Construction

ypg schrieb:
The wiki is not always correct or up to date

I didn’t even look into that. It’s more based on my experience as an amateur photographer. What kind of changes have they made that imposed restrictions?

ypg schrieb:
If I remember correctly, freedom of panorama applies to public buildings and structures...

No. It actually means you are allowed to photograph (and publish images of) permanent objects visible from public spaces. However, aids such as ladders are not allowed, and the mentioned drone is also considered an aid.

If I deliberately photograph a person through a window, then I have photographed the person, which obviously is not covered by freedom of panorama.

ypg schrieb:
What do you think: is someone allowed to photograph or film your mother walking to the mailbox every day? Even if the person uses the footage only for themselves and does not distribute it?

Assuming the mailbox is installed outside and visible from the street, and the person photographs from a public area without aids, then of course that is allowed. However, publishing the images is not permitted.

If I want to photograph my house on my own property, no one can forbid me from doing so, regardless of the rest of the discussion. If any construction workers happen to walk through the image, they simply are not the subject of the photo. Moreover, it is normally acceptable to inform them that you plan to create a time-lapse recording of the building work. This has become quite common nowadays, something construction workers should be familiar with as part of their job.

nathi schrieb:
I haven’t really looked into that. It’s more from my experience as an amateur photographer. What changes were made that imposed restrictions?

No. That basically means you’re allowed to photograph permanent objects visible from public spaces (and also publish those images). However, the use of aids is prohibited—for example, you can’t use a ladder, and the mentioned drone is also considered an aid.

You seem to know more than I do. It’s not really my area... but check Google yourself again: there was apparently a case that led to some restrictions, although these were softened.

nathi schrieb:
If I specifically photograph a person through a window, I have effectively photographed that person, which logically isn’t covered by the freedom of panorama.

Of course, that has nothing to do with freedom of panorama, but is about personality rights—even if the person was not specifically the focus, but rather the house.

nathi schrieb:
Assuming the mailbox is mounted outside and visible from the street, and the photographer is taking photos from a public space without aids, then that is naturally permitted. However, publishing the photos is not allowed.

That again depends on context: if the photographer later views the images privately and then misuses them inappropriately, for example exploiting the person collecting mail for their own fantasies, then personality rights are indeed seriously violated—even if no one else knows about it!

So, it often requires considering each case individually—generalizations are not appropriate.

nathi schrieb:

… If some workers happen to walk through the picture, they simply aren’t the subject of the photo.

That, however, is something the photographer must keep in mind—selfishness and a too casual attitude are wrong here.

nathi schrieb:

Especially since you would normally inform them that you intend to make a time-lapse of the construction. This is quite common nowadays and something construction workers should be familiar with, as it has become part of the profession.

Yes, in today’s world of social media like Facebook, smartphones, and so on, certain things are seen as more relaxed or assumed to be “normal.” People say that some things must be tolerated nowadays, but for other groups of people, it is not customary just because it is normal for you.

You should try to imagine situations where you are on the defensive and do not have property rights. Wouldn’t you want to be respectfully informed about what to expect? You don’t have to photograph or film exactly when the foreman walks through your shot.

By the way, Martina mentioned that the property rights still belong to the construction company... she seems to know the legal aspects better there.

Best regards,
Yvonne

ypg schrieb:
By the way, Martina mentioned that the construction company still has the right of access to the site... she knows the legal details better here.

But that should be stated in the contract for work and services, right? In our contract, there is nothing about that, and I would find it a bit odd if I no longer had the right to enter my own property. Of course, it’s a different situation with a developer.

Good evening,

nathi schrieb:

But that should be stated in the building contract, right? At least nothing about that is mentioned in ours.

That would surprise me a lot, but of course, as always, there are exceptions.

nathi schrieb:

I would also find it a bit strange if I no longer had the right to access my own property.

The house right during construction with a general contractor (GC) / general contractor with supervision / turnkey contract does not mean that you are not allowed to enter your land. It rather means that you, as the client, do not have any authority to issue instructions, and for various reasons, that is also a good thing.

nathi schrieb:

Sure, with a property developer that's obviously different.

No.

Regards, Bauexperte

When I pixelate the faces after taking the shots, I don’t see any problem at all. It’s just some work.

After all, you don’t want close-ups of the builders’ necklines.

Hello,

DaLinux schrieb:

Nevertheless, I still believe that I am allowed to film the construction of my house for private purposes.

You are allowed to; however, you must either ensure that any faces of individuals in the footage are blurred or obscured (as Tox suggested, which likely involves a lot of additional work) or obtain their consent.

Also, "private" can be misleading... can you completely rule out sharing parts of the footage with friends or relatives? And do you know how they might handle the footage? They might share it again with friends on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, and so on.

DaLinux schrieb:

But I find it frustrating that people keep interfering in the lives or actions of others, because they are influenced by Hartz 4 television, whistleblowers, or certain newspapers.

I am among those who view this critically as well, but that does not change the fact that this topic is controversial and often discussed emotionally; this is also reflected in various court rulings. Regardless of your opinion, I am glad that services like Street View have been curtailed; the desire for information notwithstanding. It was to be expected that such things could lead to unwelcome encounters, which is inherent to human nature; not everyone has an IQ above 130.

I have been involved in photography for years; sometimes more, sometimes with longer breaks. Over time, and through running two photography websites (one analog and one digital), I developed a close connection with a professional fashion photographer and a leading expert in darkroom techniques. Both are equally sensitive about copyright and personality rights and never do anything without the consent of the individuals depicted (unless they are of public interest; in which case different rules apply). They do not do this out of boredom; this is called learning by doing. Since a film is nothing more than moving images, and I am aware of the hysteria caused by self-proclaimed saviors of humanity who often go too far, I act the same way. A wise person once said: “In court, you get a judgment, not justice.” I never forget this; neither professionally nor privately. I have no desire to end up in court… no matter if I’m right or not.

And if you would allow me to say so — the energy you put into arguing your “supposed” right here could have been better spent on questions or pixels, which would have kept you safe from any attacks by third parties.

Best regards, Bauexperte