Photos used in Art

[Littlesparrow]

I belong to an Art club and although most of the time I use my own photos as a reference, what do you think about artists using your photos to turn into a painting? Do you think they should contact you first, credit the reference in the title or only use them if they change it about, use a different background etc. I know a number of the group completely copy photos which seems a bit cheeky.

[RoyW]

I don't have a problem wıth anyone usıng my photos as reference for art (though not many are avaılable onlıne so I doubt that ıt often happens!).

The questıon about whether artısts should acknowledge the materıal that they have used ıs an ınterestıng one (although I don't thınk ıt wıll ever happen). IMO sımply copyıng a photo shows some lack of talent, however well the fınal pıcture turns out - ıt ıs easıer to produce a two dımesıonal ımage ıf you copy a two dımensıonal ımage. I thınk that the best wıldlıfe artwork ıs produced from fıeld sketches, wıth photos perhaps referred to later to help wıth fıne detaıls. You tend to see more 'lıfe' ın a pıcture ıf the artıst has spent tıme carefuly watchıng the subject ın real lıfe.

[pressld2]

If anyone wants to use one of my photos for a painting that's fine with me. I'd be interested to know that they've done it and also interested in seeing the result but I wouldn't think that they were obligated to tell me or to ask my permission first.

But I agree with Roy, the best wildlife artists spent hours, days, years studying their subjects in the field and I think it shows.

Dave P.

[freiston]

I can't see it happening to me but if it did, I'd be flattered. I wouldn't expect or want them to contact me, credit me or change a detail, but I would also be flattered if they did credit me/the photo.

I suppose I might be a bit miffed if they were to capitalise on some original/unique artistry of mine - but if you've seen my photos, you'll see that that ain't likely.

[Littlesparrow]

Thanks for the replies everyone, its interesting,I thought there would be more unease about this. you have all been very generous. Freiston has touched on something which does happen sometimes which is the paintings are sold and cards made out of prints. Some artist are purely amatures and so would not make much money but there are a couple of professional artists in the club.

There is also the problem that wild animal and bird don't want to stay still so you either have to take photos or find a dead one, and if like me you not a very good photographer a lot of my shots are of thing leaving before I can get a good shot.

I would also like to praise the standard of photography on WAB, many times I've been in awe of the photos and they have an artistic value in their own right that I think a painting may not capture.

Annie.

[earthdragon64]

I agree with the points that the best wildlife artists are those who really study their subject in the wild.

As far as someone using my photos for a reference goes, then it really depends on what they are intending to do with the finished product, especially if there is something unique about my photo that is incorporated in the finished product.

if it's someone who is doing somehing purely for their own benefit, or as an excercise, then I have no problem with it.

However, if someone is doing something with the intention of making a commercial profit, or to raise money for charity, then I expect to be at least contacted about it.

As with a lot of copyright related things though, it would be extremely tricky to enforce.

Regards, Audrey.

[JeffH]

I have several artist customers (ie. painters) who regularly buy prints from me to use in creating their own artwork which they then sell at art and craft fairs, etc.

Those concerned always seek permission to use my images in this way and I always give it - in writing.

As to copyright, it's my understanding that any unauthorised use of an image would be a breach of copyright and I always attach a label to the back of prints saying "This photograph is for the personal use of the purchaser only and may not be copied, published in any format, used for commercial purposes or otherwise reproduced or distributed without the express consent of the copyright owner".

Having said all that, I'm well aware that some of my images have been used - without consent - by other artists and have also been published on the web and have even been offered for sale as desktop backgrounds by overseas sites So it's certainly true that policing the copyright laws is very difficult.

Jeff
(Schedule 1 Licence holder for Kingfishers, Barn Owls and Avocets)

[sunnydale]

Originally Posted by RoyW

I don't have a problem wıth anyone usıng my photos as reference for art (though not many are avaılable onlıne so I doubt that ıt often happens!).

The questıon about whether artısts should acknowledge the materıal that they have used ıs an ınterestıng one (although I don't thınk ıt wıll ever happen). IMO sımply copyıng a photo shows some lack of talent, however well the fınal pıcture turns out - ıt ıs easıer to produce a two dımesıonal ımage ıf you copy a two dımensıonal ımage. I thınk that the best wıldlıfe artwork ıs produced from fıeld sketches, wıth photos perhaps referred to later to help wıth fıne detaıls. You tend to see more 'lıfe' ın a pıcture ıf the artıst has spent tıme carefuly watchıng the subject ın real lıfe.

Sorry all, I know this is completely off topic - but I couldn't help noticing something funny with Roy's post above!

There are no 'dots' on any of his i's!

Tracey

[Littlesparrow]

Yes I can see the lack of 'I's now you have pointed it out Sunnydale perhaps it is an unusual type face.

[operanut1972]

Hi all

Regarding dots and 'I's'. As the text is in italics and the screen resolution is not great when view webpages, I would suggest that it is just the screen resolution you're viewing it at. Not the you can easily change that. Also all posts appear to me (Mac User) as the same font, are you able to change your fonts? (With HTML code switched off I would have thought that difficult)

As for using my Photo's (yeah right, as if!) I would want permission sought if the artist was intending to make money out of it. If it is turned into a card this can easily be done! Trouble is, without deep pockets full of cash getting recourse is difficult!