ᐅ Setting Up a Time-Lapse Camera for House Construction

splitti schrieb:

.. There must already be a legal regulation for this, right?!

Several …

**Basically, every person who takes a photo holds the copyright to that image. However, this copyright is limited by personality rights and any existing usage and exploitation rights. Trademark law (trademark rights) may also be relevant in certain cases. This means in photographic practice: not every photo can simply be shared or published. Some photos may not even be legally taken.

**Clear summary from Akademie.de

Best regards, Bauexperte

splitti schrieb:
Unlike many others, this is meant to be a purely private keepsake. My house is my private space and doesn’t belong on the internet...

I’m more concerned about the companies working there and their employees. Think back to the scandal with LIDL and Aldi regarding cameras above the checkouts. Filming offices and such in companies is also a topic for the works council. It could be seen as workplace surveillance. In photography, passersby can be photographed and published without consent as long as they are not the main subject of the picture... For example, photos of Cologne Cathedral, sports stadiums, etc.

I find the topic is somewhat divided when it comes to house construction because the companies are part of the building process, and employees may even be recognizable. Even if I don’t publish the images and only take a photo every minute, depending on perspective and sensitivity, it’s a gray area...

Therefore, I hope someone here can bring some clarity to the issue! I’ve also considered getting written permission to photograph, but then the question is: would that be enough?



I don’t take your comment personally regarding my own interests, but this is exactly where you picked the wrong person.

Well, you’re interpreting this too one-sidedly. Cologne Cathedral, train stations, etc. have to do with public security. Even that topic is controversial. Aldi & Co. were proven to have filmed without permission and were sued because of it.

Google Street View also blurs people’s faces if you want.

I wouldn’t like to be filmed like that either. If I were a construction worker, I might just drop such a device on the ground... hmm

Bauexperte schrieb:
Basically, anyone who takes a photograph holds the copyright for that image. However, this copyright is limited by the personal rights of individuals depicted as well as any existing usage and exploitation rights. Trademark law (mark rights) can also be relevant in certain cases. In practical terms for photography, this means that not every photo can simply be shared or published. Some photos may not be legally permitted to be taken in the first place.

The situations where photos are not allowed are very limited. For example, you cannot photograph someone who is in a private area shielded from view, such as on their own property (naked), or film them in their bathroom. Recently, there was more news on similar issues in the press (Justice Minister Maas weakens bill on nude images).

If I take pictures on my own property for PRIVATE use, the right to one’s own image no longer applies. For instance, I could fly a model aircraft over my neighbor’s property and film areas that are normally visible, as long as these images are solely for private use.

What moral concerns apply to private photos of a house being built, I prefer to leave to others. In my view, there is no need for a ban or requirement for approval in this case.

Good day,

DaLinux schrieb:

If I take pictures of my property for PRIVATE purposes, the right to one’s own image no longer applies.

I don’t know where you get this idea from, because this statement is not correct. If you are an amateur photographer, you should inform yourself before any trouble arises. If necessary, Yvonne can also provide some input on this.

DaLinux schrieb:

For example, I would be allowed to fly a model aircraft over my neighbor’s property and film the normally visible areas as long as I do this purely for private purposes.

No, you are not allowed to do that; your neighbor generally has the right to demand that you stop!

I hope a lawyer will chime in here; they can explain it much better than I can. If not, see for example the Regional Court Meldorf (83 C 568/11), where the issue also involved the fact that a parked car was frequently scratched. The camera had to be removed from the neighbor’s premises.

DaLinux schrieb:

Regarding moral concerns about private photos of a house being built, I prefer to leave that to others. I do not see a ban or permission requirement here.

What you “see” or don’t see is up to you. The fact remains — although different court decisions exist — that it’s not exactly wise to film a construction site, even your own, based solely on “belief.”

Best regards, Bauexperte

In my opinion, this case involves a clearly different device. A camera is not just a camera... We are talking about something wide-angle here, where I won’t be able to see exactly what employee A is doing; at most, I’ll see a dot.

I contacted Brinno again, and they explained to me that the camera really ONLY has the time-lapse function, meaning no video or photo function.

Watch my video—the train station is recorded at 1-second intervals, and it is already very hard to recognize anyone. Someone said, "I don’t want to see myself as a line in a video." You will probably only appear as a flickering dot!

I talked to some photographer friends; one is absolutely sure that you can take photos of your private property as you wish, as long as the images are not published. That’s just one opinion... He also said that as soon as 12 people (as a group, meaning not a single photo with 11 people in the background) appear in a picture, the individual’s right no longer applies. There are ALWAYS exceptions, of course.

Since I have contact with professional time-lapse photographers, I will ask around there. They do this professionally but with much more sophisticated equipment. It must be said clearly that Brinno definitely has not built high-quality lenses into such a small piece of hardware.

This matter is really complex and not easy to assess... And before I bring any trouble upon myself, I will try to gather as much knowledge as possible. I already hope that through clarification and, if applicable, with the consent of all involved, I can make such a recording. It is a great memory, it has been my hobby for years, and it is purely for the homeowners (no publication)...

In this regard, I am grateful for input from Bauexperte and DaLinux...

Hello building expert,

this is exclusively about recordings that must not be published.
Are you absolutely sure?

I will look for sources tomorrow and, if applicable, share them with you.

Otherwise, have a nice evening.