Copyright... Part 2

Last part of this subject..

When approached on the subject of use of our images, we take into account several things:
is the subject of the image going to approve? We'll contact them and secure their permission, in writing for the specific use!
is the subject or the photographer given credit somewhere in the presentation?
what and where is the end result?

Sounds tough, but I'll give you examples where we gladly cough up usage of our images, and in some cases, have done so:

1. death in the family and use of an image at the funeral or viewing! Most photographers with any sense of caring, compassion and feeling will even go ahead and secure that copy for the customer..some without any cost!!!!
2. request by a media outlet to use WHEN THE CUSTOMER OR SUBJECT IS IN FULL 100 PERCENT APPROVAL!
3. when the customer has a photo giftware item made up that I don't offer in my regular product line! Matter of fact, we OK usage to a local vendor on a routine basis that does unique stuff! It's called helping the customer and supporting LOCAL businesses!
4. Facebook and My Space usage!!! This is always a concern and we'll get into this in a future RSP newsletter, mostly when it comes to My Space!!!!!

Bottom line....ask before you use an image...you may find that we can help you use it better!!!

More soon!!!!

A word (or many) about copyrighted images...

I wanted to talk about copyrighted images and what the laws entail!

When an image is taken, it is the property of the photographer. When I sell a copy of that image to a customer, the image itself is still the property of the professional photographer, as deemed by the copyright laws of the United States and International law as well. The same thing applies to written word, be it books, magazine articles or newspaper stories. They are the property of the publishing entity.

When an image is copyrighted, you can not copy it or manipulate that copy in any way, shape or form without the consent of the creator. If I sold the copyrights of a set of images to ABC Jackhammer Company, they would then hold the rights to those images.

Furthermore, a one hour photo lab can't copy these kinds of images without a written release from the photographer. Some stores, Walmart being the most notable, have a policy that states if any professional images, regardless of creation date are presented to their photo labs, they may not be copied at all, even if the image is from 1908!! This is their company policy...figuring that if their policy is stricter than the federal law, no one will violate it! There is a workaround for the 1908 situation, but we won't get into it here!

Copyrighted images are identified by several methods:

1. the standard c within a larger circle on the front or back of the image
2. printing on the back of the image stating that the image is a copyrighted work and may not be reproduced. Many professionals use photographic paper with this writing on the reverse
3. name of the photographer or studio business on the front and/or back of the image

It should also be noted that copyrighted images DO NOT NEED TO CONTAIN ANY OF THESE ITEMS TO BE CONSIDERED COPYRIGHT PROTECTED. The smart copyright holders do take these steps to protect themselves, but they can still be covered without them!

All images that are taken by Richard Soukup Photography are copyrighted to us and can't be used without our permission. What we do when we sell a CD is to allow the client (Senior or wedding clients as two examples) to reproduce them for their own benefit, in what is referred to as a "license to copy". There are some restrictions, such as not allowing them to be used for commercial usage and others, but for the most part, it is not terribly restricted.

If a CD is not a part of the package or order we sell to the client, the client must order all prints from us and can't reproduce, scan or copy the image in any way without our company consent.

So why is this a big deal to us?

Several reasons:

1. by controlling the printing of the images, the copyright holder controls the quality of those images. Poorly printed images make us look less than professional.
2. by controlling the use of these images, there is a better posibility that they won't be used to invade the privacy or lives of my clients. I've seen instances of publications using professional images created by a wedding photographer, printing them in their publication and not only using them to embarass the couple, but also not asking the permission of the photographer...a violation of the law.
3. usage of the images of clients for the purpose of promoting a cause of point of view that the couple may not support or agree with. There have been instances of this happening to other people.
4. hurting future income (which is a minor one for me!). I am usually pretty understanding on this point, because of many situations, but my bills have to be paid too!

Our position on copyrighting our images and company policy is coming up in a future blog entry!

Comments are always welcome!!

Richard Soukup Photography Newsletter for February

Thanks for taking time out to read what we are up to! Lots to share with you, so lets get to it!!!

First of all, the Groundhog Wine Trail Fest 09 was a great time. We were able, thanks to your help, to put some extra money into the account of the Curwensville Rotary Club, to help them finance some of their local programs to help the community. Special thanks go to the Bedford County Wine Club. Some of their members put a bus trip together to come up to Clearfield and partake of the great food and wine. Plus we got to see a former co-worker from my Sam's Club days! I have to apologize to Diane...I didn't even realize who you were till you reminded me! This will happen at 51 years of age!!! Enjoyed having all of you up and hope to see ya back next year. Details on the 2010 Wine and Food Fest are upcoming!

We also want to welcome to the group those of you that signed up to receive our newsletter while at the Fest. Your information will be kept confidential and NEVER SPAMMED OR SOLD OR DISTRIBUTED TO ANYONE ELSE! If you wish to opt out, email your request to me at rtsphoto@verizon.net.

Wedding clients are getting their own individual page at www.RichardSoukupPhotography.com . Two of our couples already have the space allocated to them. Janessa and Jim were to have some images taken in January, but the cold weather kind of put the kibosh on that. You can use those pages to post photos, information, whatever you would like!.

Senior clients are starting to get images together for yearbook and ordering prints and products for graduation. Any questions on orders, please call. We are also starting to look at images for the class of 2010. We can answer any questions on those as well!

As far as Digital Photography Class at the Clearfield County Career And Technology Center is concerned, we have 6 signed up so far! There is space for a few more students, but you gotta, in the words of Van McCoy, "do the hustle"!!!! Classes are set for March 12, 19, and 26 from 6-8pm. Information on costs and sign-ups can be obtained by calling the CCCTC at 814-765-5308 and ask for Jenna Witherite or any of the Adult Ed staff!!! The class will have it's own on-line blog to use as well. Of course you'll be able to drop in, subscribe and read what the class is up to!!!! We'll post that address when it is created!!!

Lots of things upcoming:

*****We will be capturing images at the Clearfield Hospital Chili Bowl. The date is set for Thursday, September 17th. The theme for this year will be The Wild West and we will be snapping some images with you all in western gear, much like we did at the Wine Fest. Proceeds for this event will benefit the Clearfield Hospital Hospice department, helping bring their programs to those in need. This is always a great time, and we've been a part of this event for at least the last 7 or 8 years that I can recall!!!

*****Once again, we will be doing the MC duties at the Clearfield County Fair Fireman's Parade the opening night of the Clearfield County Fair. The parade will be at 6pm on Monday, August 3rd. More details on the fair as we find out!!! We've been a part of this event as MC for the last (as far as we can recall) 15 years!

We will also be taking some of our vacation time away from our other workload during that week. This means that we will be able to get lots of images for family reunions, senior sessions and the like during that time

*******We've also decided to do our "Prom Prints Promotion" again this year, with a little twist. Senior portrait clients are going to get a real treat with this one, as we will change the program with quite a few differences this year. More on that soon, but that will take some weekends in May to accomplish! We are also looking at, but have not confirmed an idea that will be the "One Last Pic" session! We are in the development stage on this one, so details are not finalized yet...but they will soon!

We will also be announcing a great offer for customers of....... got to wait for this one, but we'll announce it soon!

You may even hear about this later in the week or the first part of the weekend!

Till then.....thanks!