Ethics in Photography: Permission, Truth, and Moral Responsibility

An advanced course in the photographer's personal ethics, built from the Dean's definitive guide to the subject. It establishes the three guiding concepts — dignity, respect, and responsibility — and the two questions every photographer must ask; separates the legal map from the ethical map; teaches permission as a practice, including releases, children, and asking without a shared language; covers photo plagiarism, copyright at the moment of exposure, and the honest giving of credit; draws the line between processing and manipulation; and ends with each student writing a personal code of ethics. Eight lessons across four modules, with quizzes and practical assignments throughout. The companion course, PHO 447 The Ethical Eye, carries these foundations into documentary, portrait, commercial, nature, and wildlife practice.