Here in CA running a red light is a driving infraction not a vehicle infraction that the registered owner is responsible for, such as a parking violation, so they have to be able to id both the driver and the car actually running the red light. IIRC, there is supposed to be two pics taken, one from the front to get the plate w/the pic of the driver, and one from the rear depicting the vehicle w/visible plate numbers in the intersection w/a red light. Absent clear photos of each they aren't supposed to issue a citation.
If you live in a state that only uses a rear pic and the citation is a point against your drivers license you should fight it, since w/o you admitting to it, it is impossible to prove that you were driving the car.
