Setting up a time-lapse camera for house construction

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

Several ... **Basically, every person who takes a photo holds the copyright to the image. However, this copyright is limited by the personal rights and any existing usage and exploitation rights. The trademark law also plays a role in some cases. This means for photographic practice: not every photo may simply be passed on or even published. Some photos you may not even be allowed to take. **Clear summary from Akademie.de Rhineland regards

Unlike many, this is meant to be a purely private keepsake. My house is my privacy and it does not belong on the internet...
I'm more concerned about the companies working there and their employees. Let's think back to the scandal with LIDL and Aldi with the cameras over the checkouts. Filming offices etc. in companies is also a works council issue. It could be interpreted as workplace surveillance. In photography, passersby may be photographed and published without consent if they are not the main subject of the photo... For example, pictures of Cologne Cathedral, sports stadiums, etc.
I find the topic a bit divided when it comes to house construction because the companies are part of the construction process, possibly even the employees are recognizable. Even if I don't publish it and only take a photo every minute, depending on perspective and sensitivity, it's a gray area...
Therefore, I hope someone here can maybe bring some clarity to the topic! I've already considered getting written permission to take photos, but then the question is: is that enough?

I don't take it personally with my own interests, but this is exactly where you hit the wrong person with that comment

Well, you are interpreting it too one-sidedly. Cologne Cathedral, train stations, etc. have to do with internal security. And even that topic is controversial. Aldi & Co have been proven to have filmed without permission and were sued because of it.

Google Street View also blurs people if you want it.

I wouldn’t like to be photographed as a stretch. As a construction worker, I could also just casually drop such a thing on the ground... hmm

Basically, every person who takes a photo has the copyright of the image. However, this copyright is limited by the personal rights and any existing usage and exploitation rights. The trademark law also plays a role in some cases. This means for photographic practice: not every photo may simply be passed on or even published. Some photos may not even be taken.

Shots that are not allowed to be taken at all are very narrowly defined. For example, I am not allowed to photograph anyone who is in a privacy-protected area, on their property (naked), or film them in their bathroom. Furthermore, there was recently something in the news again about similar issues in the press (Justice Minister Maas softens bill on nude images).

If I take pictures from my property for PRIVATE purposes, the right to one's own image no longer applies. For example, I may fly a model aircraft over my neighbor's property and film the normally visible areas if I do so strictly for private purposes.

What moral concerns to consider with private pictures of a house construction I prefer to leave to others. I do not see a ban or a requirement for permission here.

Good day,

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

I do not know where you get your truth from, because this statement is not correct. If you are a hobby photographer, you should inform yourself before trouble arises. If necessary, Yvonne can also write something about this.

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

No, you are not allowed; the neighbor regularly has a claim to injunctive relief against you!

I hope that a lawyer will still speak up here; he can explain it far better than I can. If not, see for example AG Meldorf (83 C 568/11), here the motive was additionally that a parked car was frequently scratched. The camera had to be removed from the neighbor’s premises.

What moral concerns are to be considered with private pictures of a house construction, I prefer to leave to others. I do not see a prohibition or requirement for permission here.

What you "see" and what not remains up to you. The fact is that – although there are different court rulings – it is not quite so clever to film a construction site, not even your own, based on "belief."

Rhenish regards

In my opinion, the case study involves a clearly different device. A camera really is not just a camera... We are talking about something wide-angle here where I won’t see exactly what employee A is doing, I will at most see that there was a point there. I contacted Brinno again, and they first explained to me that the camera really ONLY has the time-lapse function, so no video or photo function. Look at my film, the train station is recorded at 1-second intervals and it is already very difficult to recognize someone. Someone said, "I don’t want to see myself as a line on a video here." You will probably rather be a flickering dot!

I asked some photographer friends, he is "absolutely sure" that you can photograph your private property however you want if the pictures are not published. That’s just an opinion... He also said that as soon as there are 12 people (as a group, meaning no single photo with 11 people in the background) in a picture, the individual’s right expires. There are ALWAYS special regulations here, no question.

Since I have contact with professional time-lapse colleagues, I will ask around there. They do this professionally, but with correspondingly more elaborate equipment. You have to clearly say that Brinno definitely did not build super-sharp lenses into such a small piece of hardware.

The matter is really complex and not so easy to assess... And before I get myself into trouble, I will try to mobilize as much knowledge as possible. I already have hope that through clarification and depending on the consent of all involved, I can make such a recording. It is a great memory, it has also been my hobby for years, it is intended purely for the homeowners (no publication)...

In this respect, I am grateful for the opinions of Bauexperte and DaLinux...

Hello construction expert,

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

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

Otherwise, have a nice evening.