That's not quite true, you don't need anyone's release if you are taking photos on public land and you're nit going to use that image commercially. You also don't need permission on private land either if using the image for domestic or private reasons. Displaying people's images even in an art gallery or editorially or in say an awards evening is ok either.

So, in general for most situations for most of us and for most the time you will not need a model release in my opinion

That's not saying that you shouldn't get one if the opportunity is there or you think you might ever use that image commercially