Thursday, November 11, 2010

You, Your Camera, the Law

Just read a good article based on a convo the writer had with photo-attorney, Carolyn Wright: Top 10 Misconceptions about Photography and the Law: A Conversation with Attorney Carolyn E. Wright.

Far be it for me to tell anyone what to do with their time but, if you're a photographer, you might find this info worth reading. (Not to mention useful.)

I often hear photographers spouting the law. (As it applies to photography) Sometimes, I might even be the one doing some of the spouting. But, like many things, the best info often comes from the experts-- the experts being the best and most informed people to communicate information born of documented facts rather than speculation or opinion.

Check out the article! It might help you avoid a hassle later on.

The eye candy above is Maya. If her name represents her ancestry, I sure hope her ancestors didn't sacrifice any who looked like her. Lit her with a 5' Photoflex Octodome for my main and a couple of kickers, either side, from behind. Three point lighting: simple and effective. (ISO 100, f/5.6 @ 125 focal length of 90mm)

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this re-post. Always good to hear from one who actually knows.

MarcWPhoto said...

There are, I can tell you for a fact, what I believe to be well-regarded and fairly reasonably well-selling books related to photography and the law which contain outright errors and mistakes of fact and law. If the person who wrote the book isn't a lawyer, don't take legal advice from it any more than you'd take legal advice from the person.

While Ms. Wright is of course one of the most respected and knowledgeable attorneys in the country in this area, there are many others - including your humble commenter - who don't mind educating photographers when asked politely. And of course the Copyright Office has a large and fairly useful website. The resources are there. Use them.