still

fun with forums, copyright and fair use

I’m a little disappointed in my recent adventures into posting on web forums and messages boards. Actually, I should be more specific, of all the message boards and forums I’ve posted on, there’s only been ONE where I’ve been met with hostility and even threats!

Basically the issue revolved around copyright and fair use discussion. The topic in question is, if I post about other photographers, am I violating their copyright? I think there are still a few people out there who are a little bit scared of the internet and the way people are using it today. Things have changed pretty rapidly, and it takes some awhile to understand it. It’s the same as those big record companies who still can’t quite get over the whole posting music on blogs thing. Everyone needs to get current and let go of this black and white attitude that what’s mine is mine and no one else can play with it. It’s old fashioned, it’s restrictive, and it’s stifling. The irony that in trying to protect everyone’s ownership rights, it’s negative for the artists themselves who want to get their work out there and be seen (or heard) by as many people as possible!

Furthermore, just because I post about a photographer, and show samples of their work, doesn’t make it MINE. My intention, just like the thousands of other blogs out there doing exactly the same thing, is free advertising! I love photography, and I want to be part of a community that promotes and encourages it members. If I see a cool photographer, I want to share their work with others. I should be able to say, hey, go check this out, it’s cool. And maybe the next time that photographer has a print for sale, or has a gallery show, someone will remember my post about them, and go support them by buying some of their art.

The people on the forum that seemed to be most upset about me posting about other photographers, didn’t seem to take any offense to the fact that I post about camera gear. I’m helping advertise a product basically (for no profit of my own, I should emphasize), a product that I think is cool and I recommend others considering for purchase. It’s an opinion, it’s a critique, and it’s my personal viewpoint. It’s funny how as soon as the same method is applied to photographer’s and their product, suddenly it becomes a violation of copyright. No one seems to object to me posting a picture of a new camera and saying, hey this looks cool. But as soon as I do the same for a photograph, I’m somehow breaking the law? A product for sale is a product for sale, is it not?

Anyway, I think I’ve realized that despite the negativity and unnecessary and inappropriate hostility from one or two people, I’ve gotten lots of positive feedback on the blog, and I tend to believe that the internet will take care of itself. There’s so many people who understand that things are different and times are changing, and it’s not something that a few select people who don’t get it can stop. It’s time to stop thinking about hoarding everything to ourselves, and it may be time to let go a little and re-evaluate the benefits of this change. It’s like music companies that sue their fans- didn’t someone somewhere along the line realize this was counter-intuitive? Instead of fighting against it and being so scared and angry and holding on tighter, why not try to make it work for you? I think these people would find, if they open their minds a bit, that there’s a lot more positives in it for them in the long run.

That said, if a photographer does not want me to post their work, I will gladly and immediately oblige and take it down. I’m not going to force anyone to agree with me, and I have no problem with removing content if requested!

update

I just wanted to take a second and let you know that things are on a brief (very brief) hiatus as I am moving and things are a bit hectic around here lately. But I’ll be back with more blog posts shortly! Wish me luck! And keep checking back :)