IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT YOUR COPYRIGHTS AND FUTURE OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Several things have been happening in the photo world lately. Scary, scary things. There have been such occurrences as Vouge putting on a contest that releases all copyright claims the photographer has of their images, allowing Vogue to use them for the rest of existence without ever compensating the photographers that took them. Of course, everyone is seduced by the small chance of winning. So no harm done, right?
Well, Vogue isn't alone in doing this. In fact, there have been databases building and building of photos that are no longer owned by photographers and will never be paid if the images are ever used. All by entering contents where all rights are released even if the photographer doesn't win any prize. Seems like this is prime opportunity for agencies, magazines, ect. to drive down prices even more. After all, they have crops and crops of wonderfully talented photographers who will shoot for free or very little.
If you'd like to know more about your rights and also help reinforce your/our rights check out: Artist Bill of Rights Campaign.
On May 20, Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer was quoted as saying, “There’s no such thing as Flickr Pro today because [with so many people taking photographs] there’s really no such thing as professional photographers anymore.”
HOLD THE PHONE. Is that how big media companies see us? People who pay their bills, taxes, support their families all with that $7,000 camera in the corner are not pros? What are the requirements of being a pro now? Of course, she later recanted her statement via twitter, commenting that it was taken out of context.
I'm sure by now, everyone has heard that the Chicago Sun-Times decided it would be good fun to do away with their ENTIRE photography department in favor of teaching their reporters to take pictures with an IPHONE along with freelance photos.
There are even more instances out there, too. Bands charging money for a chance to go backstage and take pictures of concerts. The images used for promo that normally would cost them the big bucks. All so clever these days.
This is all grim stuff. It paints a dark picture for real, professional photographers everywhere. Please lend your support for our community by joining organizations like the APA and ASMP who will keep you informed and involved.
