Clarifying and My Guidelines

Yesterday I wrote about copying. Imitating might be a better word for some of what I was saying. It has been said that "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." I do not agree. To imitate the style of another takes away from your own unique individuality.

One person, after reading yesterday's entry, got all over me about "ranting." My reply is: This is my blog and I will say what I want in it. This blog is for me first, then the reader.

Next, regarding copying, someone did not understand what I meant and showed me a painting of peaches and a blue and white plate implying that I had copied that painting when I took a picture of peaches with a blue and white plate. No way!!!! Let me set the record straight. Peaches have been painted for centuries. My image titled Peaches and Canton, is:

1. a photograph not a painting.
2. was totally my own idea from start to finish.

I own the plate. I bought the peaches. I put them together. I did not refer to anyone else's work. I did not imitate, or copy. By the way, that photograph of mine is one of my best! I am extremely proud of it.

The topic also came up about taking and then posting photographs taken in public. I don't do that. Period. Photographs I take at zoos and public parks, etc., are snapshots for my personal photograph album...not for posting or publishing.

I get signed releases for anyone else's identifiable/recognizable property at the time of the shoot, i.e. a home, boat, car, etc. The same is true for any photographs of people. I have them sign a release form that I file away with copies of the image(s). I give the person a copy of the photograph after it has been developed. That is my gift to them. By doing this, I am covered should I wish to publish that photograph at a later time.

I was told years ago: If an item, or property is not yours, or if you did not make it, then you need a signed release form, or permission to publish a photograph of it. In general, this is the rule I follow. This is one of the reasons I buy and use antiques and antiquities in my photographs. They are no longer under copyright. They are over 100 years old. Also, I never take a photograph of any item bearing a trademark, or copyright without asking permission first.

Photographers should contact an attorney with any questions they have about copyrights and/or invasion of privacy issues.

What I was saying yesterday is one can be inspired by other people's paintings, writings, sculptures, performance, etc. Be inspired, then go and create something all your own. That is it in a nutshell!

There are exceptions to the above guidelines, however I try my best to stick to my rules.

Oh, and in conclusion, if a friend shares an idea, concept, or something they would like to do, I do not then do that thing before they have had the chance to put their plans into action. That is not nice.