photography standard procedure

AvonEnniskerry

Anyone know what the standard procedure is for giving access to your photography. I posted pics on Facebook a while back. Pictures my husband took. They were shared a few times and gained a lot of interest. Someone approached me about putting the pictures onto canvas. I said fair enough as the picture can be downloaded anyway and was watermarked in the corner though I asked for credit to be given to my husband. Now they've asked me for the original copies of the photos... I do not know if it's for display only or whether it'll go into sale. They have offered to print a favourite photo of ours for us free of charge also in exchange for the original files.

whomitconcerns

Start by maybe asking them if they are for sale or private display?

What exactly are you trying to find out here?

Paulw

There is no "standard procedure". They are asking for the original files since the images on Facebook would not be quality enough to print large.

So, you need to ask them what they want the images for - to sell, to display? What is it worth to you? Will you get a share of the profits if they sell your printed photos?

You can then draw up a contract, giving explicit terms of use in exchange for whatever you want - payment or they make a few prints for you.

Remember that a credit doesn't buy camera equipment. If they want the original, then they should be willing to pay for it.

Pat Mustard

OP, I don't see a legal issue here.

I'm going to move this to the Photography forum. Please note that the Photography forum charter will apply.

magicbastarder

AvonEnniskerry wrote: »

I do not know if it's for display only or whether it'll go into sale.

then say no, until you know exactly what the intended use is.
you may be happy enough with the deal they're offering, but it's incredibly generous to them to let them have photos for their use in return for maybe a €20 cost to them.

CabanSail

What do you want?

It seems clear that you do not mind them having a one off print on canvas.

I feel that you may not be comfortable with the image being used in a wider context commercially.

They will require a high resolution copy of the image to print it but at that point you have lost control of that file.

Definitely get some form of contract in place to cover the use of the image and limitations.

You may also consider finding a printer you trust and upload the file to them and let the other person just pay for the final product. That way they would get the print they want and you do not lose control of the file. They should also be able to print it with attribution on the image.

AvonEnniskerry

Thanks everyone. I politely declined giving original file away as I discovered that yes it would be used to print up prints for sale purposes. It's not even the money I had an issue with but they were refusing to give my husband any recognition for taking the pictures. Apparently anyone can take a picture and noone really owns them.

I feel it's not fair to benefit financially from someone elses work when you want it free of charge and for people to recognise it as your own.

BreadnBuddha

AvonEnniskerry wrote: »

Thanks everyone. I politely declined giving original file away as I discovered that yes it would be used to print up prints for sale purposes. It's not even the money I had an issue with but they were refusing to give my husband any recognition for taking the pictures. Apparently anyone can take a picture and noone really owns them.

I feel it's not fair to benefit financially from someone elses work when you want it free of charge and for people to recognise it as your own.

You've made the right decision so. Good for you.

AvonEnniskerry

CabanSail wrote:

You may also consider finding a printer you trust and upload the file to them and let the other person just pay for the final product. That way they would get the print they want and you do not lose control of the file. They should also be able to print it with attribution on the image.

Unfortunately they didn't want me to print up an image for them. They had a friend who prints prints that they wanted to use. That was where I had an issue. To hand out an original file to someone who profits from printing them.

OldGoat

AvonEnniskerry wrote: »

Apparently anyone can take a picture and noone really owns them.

If that is what they told you they are either bull****ting or they have no clue about the law and copyright. The photographer (unless by prior agreement) holds the copyright.

There was a wonderful dispute some time ago about copyright when a wildlife photographers camera was used by some monkeys to take "selfies" with some interested parties then claiming that the monkeys now owned the copyright.

EDIT: Posting links.
Copyright (in lay terms): http://businessandlegal.ie/copyright-law-ireland
Monkeys: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey_selfie

GM228

And to add to the above copyright is actually a property right, once a photograph is taken it becomes "artistic work" and the property of the photographer.

Copyright is also an automatic right which contrary to what some believe does not require any registrations or the use of the © symbol in order for it to apply.

CabanSail

It sounds like you have been very fair and have made the correct decision. Glad we were able to assist.