ABSTRACT
An image may contain a great deal of individual creativity, but it is there simply as a form of self-expression; it is there as a conduit or channel for a message. Some think that if the subject of the photograph is a person, clearly, they in some sense also ‘own’ the image. Moral rights begin to change into legal rights when the subjects of photographs wish to take and exercise ownership rights over the distribution and publication of the image. Publication of an image is literally that-to make it public and to show the image around, which may be a formal or an informal process. The originator’s ownership has been ignored and in effect ownership and control of the image taken from them. The individuals and organisations that have a formal role in making images public - these are the publishers and editors who work for news agencies, magazines, books and websites.
