Perhaps an odd image for a photo blog ... yet, an increasing number of our general population feels entitled to photograph anything and everything that catches their fancy. While it is probably true in the large majority of instances there is no maliciousness intended, it remains appropriate to ask permission to photograph personal property. With the proliferation of digital pocket and cellphone cameras I've seen an exponential increase in the number of tourists pointing their capture devices at my framed photographs down at the Pike Place Market. Some don't know any better. Many, however, see a great mountain or skyline photo and think they'll simply grab a quick snapshot with their super camera and save themselves the trouble of seeking out good weather, location, light, season ... not to mention saving a few dollars. Some even argue vigorously with me when I ask them not to photograph my work ... "Well, I'm not going to, like, sell it or anything" they protest. Not the point. They are taking my creative work without asking and without payment ... and they never think to say "thank you". Believe it or not, it is the same thing as picking up something tangible like jewelery and walking off with it. In a word, it is stealing.
The image above is one of several signs prominently displayed at one of my fellow craftsperson's booths at the Pike Place Market. He silkscreens clever sayings on white tee shirts ... like "Trust me ... I'm a lawyer" and other attention grabbing quips. I don't blame him one little bit for trying to protect his intellectual property.
Even though I'm probably preaching to the choir, please ... exercise good judgment ... and be respectful of your fellow creators.
Shorts in a Rain Storm?
11 hours ago
14 comments:
I am totally with you, Chuck!!
I witnessed this at your stall the last time we were there. I'd have to say that it seems to have come with the times as pocket cameras, cell phones and cyberspace have spawned bad manners. It's all about ME and what I want and there are no limits.
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Well said. I cringe every time someone points their lens my way, because I know if I say anything I'll get a dirty look or an argument. And h ow many times a day do I want to go there?
I really wish people had to go through a mini orientation class before they entered the market, or that the market would post big signs that said to ask first. I wonder if we could lobby for that?
MrCachet, those two letters, ME, do sum up the prevalent attitude of many, frequently augmented by the three letter word NOW.
Pam, fun idea of orientation class ... however that should happen in our homes, neighborhoods, schools, etc. As for the PDA posting signs "Ask First", I suspect they would be as effective as the current "Do not sit" signs. Signs simply give us a slightly higher authority to point to when asking someone to correct their behavior ... and perhaps deflect some of the ire reflected back at us in response to our request.
I use the analogy that folks would never take a bar of soap (my craft) without paying, so "taking a picture" falls under the same rule.
I explained this to a young boy with a camera pointed at my husband's prints the other day and his mother told me, "He is jus practicing photography." To which I replied that he has now learned Lesson #1.
Becky - that was the PERfect response!
Pam, Becky's response was so clean because she used soap -:)))
Very well put Chuck. I think there are a large number of us that understand and respect other's property and/or work. However there are those that don't get it and never will.
I'm singing too!
I agree, clicking someone's creative work is wrong. But I get irked when I am asked not to click monuments, university buildings etc.
Chuck, this is an interesting topic and one that I had not really considered before. The thing about people taking photos of other photographer's photos is strange to me because the whole point of taking photos is capturing that memory for yourself. Sorry that people don't seem to get that.
Well said. While I knew that before, my awareness has been raised about respecting all art work as personal property of the artist since I started blogging.
Right up my street this image. I still dont understand how people can fail to crasp the concepts involves of theft of images, as Virgin Media are going to find out.
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