A photo of the shadow of a tree and car. Feel free to steal this photo for whatever use you see fit. This is my written permission. Really.
In an earlier post Amy asked how I copyright my photos so here is my answer:
I do register the majority of my important photographs with the U.S. Copyright office. Not because I think people may actually use or 'borrow' my photos without permission, but because I work too hard at my craft not to do so. It is the only security I have to insure my investment of time, knowledge, equipment and hard labor.
Registering original photographs, artwork, writings, or anything thunk up or created all by yourself is easier than it has ever been.
I'm not a lawyer, just a photographer/blogger so I highly recommend you seek specialized council if'n your want somebody's more professional opinion other than mine.
But here are a few helpful sites:
Library of Congress Copyright
Required forms are listed here: http://www.copyright.gov/forms/
And James Cavanaugh graciously details the steps he takes to register his digital images on his site.
I do the same thing as Cavanaugh, just not every two months--more like double the amount of time for me.
I'm asked about once or twice a month for permission by artists to copy a photo of mine they see in the newspaper for which I work. Most are encouraged to seek permission because they are participating in Cheap Joe's Workshops which schools them to seek permission. Kudos to Cheap Joe's Art Stuff.
100% of the time I grant such artists permission so long as they are not painting for profit. If they have a problem with that, then I politely tell them to visit the site on their own and paint the scene 'en plein aire' or take their own photos. I direct them to understand copyright laws on derivative art . I will, if asked, give them explicit directions to the scene. I tell them the potential problems--lighting, wildlife, etc... I do not own nature, but I do own my photograph which I worked very hard to create.
Amy, I hope this answers your question. Any Pro photographers out there who want to add their two cents-- Mark ? Plagiarist specialists...Rebecca ? Please have at it....
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