On the wall
March 9th, 2006
The other day I received an email by someone, who had taken one of my photos from the web site and, using special software, blew it up to print out and put it on his wall. He said he liked the picture so much.
I find that kind of cool and even though I was quite surprised to see it initially, I am totally OK with it. Would I still be OK with it if someone used my material unauthorised and commercially? I don’t know, but the fact is that if you put it out there, someone can and will come and grab it if they want to. That’s the digital age. It’s a complex discussion, but for me the benefits outweigh the risks. If I was in the business of making money out of copyrighted material (professional photographer, record company, film studio), that attitude would likely be different. Since I am not in the business of making money - oh the joy of the amateur - I am in the privileged position to explore the dynamics of the digital age. I have always said that the amateur is in a more advantageous position compared to the amateur. Ironically the non-money makers can afford to do what the money makers can’t.
March 13th, 2006 at 23:21
finally, a sane comment from a photographer! my stuff gets direct linked all the time, and even on occasion worse. but as you suggest, i did give it to them. even had people ask for the original or a larger file. why not?
i’ve met people who were quite proud to have had their photographs lifted right off the gallery walls.
what a compliment.
March 14th, 2006 at 17:11
Cheers James. I would like to add that if I was a professional, I would try concentrating on the value of me being able to repeatedly create quality output, not the value my actual products.
I am not sure if that is realistic though; it seemed possible during my stint as a hired gun. The products seemed almost worthless beyond the commission and the people wanting the material, so perhaps that does not count. As soon as the image becomes desirable to the public at large, it seems to increase in value and people point out the intellectual property.