Newbe Question......

JP papa · #1 07-11-2011, 12:11 PM

Newbe question, I’ve started to take my drawings out to local arts and craft show/sales. Had a strange thing happen this weekend, my wife was watching my booth while I was away for a few minutes, a gentleman came up and started taking photographs of some of my work with a high quality digital camera. When she asked him what he was doing he said he was going to send it to his daughter. My wife thinking she was doing the right thing basically demanded he delete it from his camera. What’s your opinions on this subject did she do the right thing or not? I’m not sure myself, I told her we should put up a sign asking people not to photograph or at least ask first. On one hand he could have very easily made a nice print of my work without paying, on the other hand his daughter may have been a prospective buyer. Not sure how I should approach this in the future.
TIA Jerry

Horsa · #2 07-11-2011, 02:18 PM

I would be suspicious of anyone who started taking photos of my art with a quality camera. Especially if they were photographing individual pieces rather than a full display.

Many artists, galleries, and museums have "no photography" policies. The Portlan, Maine, Art Museum, has designated some, but not all of their collection open to photography. Many of the pices that are marked "no photos" are on loan either from other museums or private collectors.

timelady · #3 07-12-2011, 11:09 AM

Personally you'll get this all the time once you start showing. Even phones now take high resolution images. (I can do prints from some of mine.) Personal use (including copying for learning) isn't illegal or anything so I usually ask what it's for - usually it's either that they like it and want to show someone, are an artist getting ideas, or are press/bloggers. If the latter I give them a card and ask them to please remember to include the title and my details. Being friendly and asking usually starts a conversation about the work! I also will offer to email a better quality (but web resolution) image.

Even with artists I rarely worry. If someone's at the level that they're taking photos at a show for ideas or technique and wants to try to duplicate it, I'm 99% certain they won't have the skills. They're welcome to attempt it, I don't mind. The coast and cliffs belong to everyone.

If they're inspired by my viewpoint so be it.

The blatant theives generally get their images from the internet for copying.

Tina.

**ArtsyLynda** · #4 08-14-2011, 05:46 PM

Sometimes you do have to defend your work, but if the person is just sharing it with a friend who likes art, hey, you might make a sale there. Be sure to get your contact information into the photographer's hands so the other person will know how to reach you if they want to buy that piece.

1onsite · #5 09-19-2011, 07:39 PM

Having researched some aspects in copyrights and art law, I would have to say that anyone - randomly walking up to your work and photographing it without your permission, is in fact infringing on your copy right to that work. Regardless of their reason, you as the artist should tell such people not to, especially if you are not comfortable with this. Allowing them to photograph your work generally means no sales. Why should they? They walk away with an image of your copy righted work - no charge, and does who-knows -what with it. As an artist /photographer, and ArtWalk volunteer, I would suggest putting up a sign as I have seen more artists do now, indicating that you do not want your works photographed w/o your permission. The only time I might make an exception would be for promotionals in a magazine or news article with credible I.D.'s from said promoters.

George924 · #6 11-23-2011, 01:54 PM

I take picture all the time, when I like a style or a way somebody creates a piece...all though most artists don't care when you ask them and tell them why...and yes some people will take a photo and use it for their own purpose without buying the piece...but if it is at an art show festival...and in the public I really can't see how you would stop people from taking pictures, even if you put up signs...if the show is in a building there should be an agreement with the shows sponsors...

**ArtsyLynda** · #7 11-23-2011, 02:06 PM

Somebody above mentioned photography in museums. We've been to quite a few museums, as well as the Vatican, where flash photography was forbidden. They said it could damage the artwork. I'm a sculptor, not a painter, so I don't know how a flash could damage a painting, but I suppose the cumulative effects of lots of flashes over time could fade it like sunlight does. So if someone wants to take pics of art, and there's no objection to the photo itself, it might be a good idea to ask them to turn their flash off to protect your work.

RCharleston · #8 11-23-2011, 02:52 PM

Although it doesn't address this particular situation specifically, "The Photographer's Right" by Atty. Bert Krages (generally the "go to" guide as per U.S. law from the photographer's point of view) might lend some insight as to what one's options would be in a case like this.

http://www.krages.com/ThePhotographersRight.pdf

It would seem that the question of whether the unwanted photography takes place on public or private property has great bearing on whether or not it can be prohibited.

George924 · #9 11-23-2011, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCharleston

It would seem that the question of whether the unwanted photography takes place on public or private property has great bearing on whether or not it can be prohibited.

Absolutely, if it is an outdoors festival than there is pretty much nothing that can be done, but inside a building, you have the right to say if it okay to do...and most buildings are privately owned...

Colorix · #10 11-23-2011, 04:22 PM

On a tangent: I resently showed my work in a parish hall (DIY show), and one person came up to my table, where I had a budget box and some postcards, plus a guestbook. One guy took a photo of that table, but not of the paintings. I'll never understand people.

LostInWonderArt · #11 12-07-2011, 10:54 PM

I don't see why anyone would take pictures, when I would assume that if they wanted to show your work to someone, they'd ask if you had a website and a business card.

Though, I will say that taking pictures is the least of my worries after I had a guy allow his dog to pee on my booth in an outdoor show, and when I said something to him, he cussed me out and said, "Why would you even bother me by saying something?"

Rusalka · #12 12-21-2011, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colorix

On a tangent: I resently showed my work in a parish hall (DIY show), and one person came up to my table, where I had a budget box and some postcards, plus a guestbook. One guy took a photo of that table, but not of the paintings. I'll never understand people.

That one's easy. They liked your set up or box of art or your table and want to do something similar.

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