Tuesday, June 10th, 2008...6:54 pm
My Big Head
A while back I was asked for permission (via Flickr) to use one of my photos to advertise the Chillifest in the Open House Festival programme, I gave permission and sent my picture plus a better picture that hadn’t been posted on Flickr to them (the one they eventually used), along with my mail address - so they could mail me a copy of the programme. The pictures were of one of the stalls at last years Chillifest.
The programme arrived last week and I now have a very big head. Every time I looked at the programme I smiled.
It’s not the first time I have had pictures published in print, I have had a few dodgy experiences with finding that local groups have used my pictures without crediting me correctly, but it’s the first time that I have been asked, have given approval and have got to see the result.
So, if you are interested in the festival or the brochure you can order a copy of the programme at www.openhousefestival.com
10 Comments
June 11th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
well done - i’ve just sent off for my copy.
June 15th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Hi Zoe. Just foun my gift voucher and have spent it wisely. “The Songs of Stoke City”. Yaaaay.
Love Dad. xxxxx
June 16th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Payment?
If not -
Do you work for free in your dayjob?
Do the people who run the festival work for free?
Did the graphic designer work for free?
June 16th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Um, ah, I apologise for ranting.
June 17th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Blah, blah. blah - just cos you’re jealous! Nothing like a little bit of free-advertising. If I ever did try to make any money out of photography at least I will have a few very exciting things to put in my portfolio.
June 17th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Not one iota of jealousy at all. Not one.
Being ripped off doesn’t make me jealous.
People asking to use any of my work for free makes me laugh out loud. Nearly as much as the “and of course we want transfer of copyright to us for the fee already discussed” line.
Bylines don’t pay the bills they just massage the ego.
If your work is good enough to use it is good enough to be paid for.
Never sell yourself short.
June 17th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
@ mfg, remember we are all different people and all motivated by different things, some are concerned with monetary renumeration, some are not. Some may consider this in the future, but for now are happy to see their efforts put to use in ways that are in keeping with their ethics. I ask you, would you allow one of your photos to be used in the next BNP manifesto if the price was right, for example?. Maybe a crazy example but the point is Z and I both attended the chilifest last year and it was fantastic, highly recommended, so I know Z got a kick out of being asked if they could make use of her photo, which incidently was published under creative commons (which cannot be revoked). I don’t really think it is an ego thing, at least not in the sense you mean. Perhaps the ego thing is believing that your work is so fantastic that people should have to pay for it! Anyways I don’t want this to become one of them thar flame war things..so while I understand your intentions are to look out for other creative people and ensure their sense of community and sharing is not taken advantage of by unscrupulous capitalist swine, do remember it is not always the correct path to inflict your own politics and outlook onto others. I dig your apology about ranting, and had a chuckle at the “and of course we want transfer of copyright to us for fee already discussed example” - some people must think we all float up the braid in a bubble!! lol. I also agree that if you work is good enough to use it is good enough to pay for, if you want to be paid for it, and I also agree that we should all never sell ourselves short, but this could also mean not becoming so cynical, that the idea of giving something away for free, that could have earned us some dough is unacceptable. Maybe that is also selling oneself short?? I too apologise for ranting……
June 17th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Dave, I don’t want to get into a flamethingy at all.
Seeing people give their work away for free drives me mad because the people asking for it don’t work for free.
“Perhaps the ego thing is believing that your work is so fantastic that people should have to pay for it!”
Yes indeed. Everyone who creates something should be recompensed for usage of their work. It’s only fair, after all.
For charitable institutions that I choose to work with a reduced fee and free usage rights ( ie -use for anything they want not just one flyer, brochure etc) works for my ethics. Look, I give away “usage” for free for the right cause, ie: non profit only. All other commerical enterprises can pay full whack.
No, I wouldn’t work for any political party, not just your example, I view them all the same way.
Cynical? Oh, absolutely.
Worked with too many weasels over the years to not be. (apologies to the mustelid family).
Can’t bend my head around this non revokeable creative commons thingy though.
I plan to go to the chillifest myself this year, someone mentioned beer so I have to check it out. Won’t be entering the chilli eating competition mind you. Not brave enough.
June 17th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Bloody hell! If I wish to give away all my pictures for free that is my business, I do not feel like I am being taken for a ride by anyone. I am participating in something that excites me. I enjoy being creative, I enjoy sharing what I create and it does not matter one bit if I can’t pay my bills at the end of the day. As long as what I do makes me happy.
June 18th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Well done Z,
And what a debate it sparked. I won’t join in except to say that Dave is right when he says people are different. Can’t wait to see the brochure.
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