New Gallery!!
Yes I know it’s been forever since I posted here…I’ve been busy 
I just wanted to let you all know about a new gallery I have added to my website – it’s my “Fine Art Nudes” gallery. I am very proud of it as it is another one of my “loves” in doing photography. I could never paint or draw like my Grandmother so I guess this is what I try to fill that void with…
I would like to thank Bill Earle, Scott Nichol and all the WONDERFUL models I’ve had the pleasure to work with so far….!
Please visit my Fine Art Nudes Gallery and let me know what you think!’
THANK YOU!
Diane
1 Comment
21 Nov 2011
“If I wanted to be your slave, would you feed me too?”
~Protecting Your Copyright~
As a photographer, protecting my copyright is something that is consistently on my mind. I have had my photos used without my permission more times than I’d like to admit. I’ve even had some of my images used without my permission and the watermark removed and used on websites (until I send them a cease and desist letter). Many times photo credit/attribution was overlooked and just plain forgotten other times, even though it was part of the agreement (and by law, doesn’t have to be included in such an agreement as it is part of the copyright – but most don’t seem to know this).
I recently attended ”Intellectual Property Rights: How Artists Can Protect Their Creative Work”, a workshop given by Kattina V. Barsik, Esq., L.L.M., a patent and trademark attorney from New Jersey and Allentown. Although a lot of what she spoke of I already knew, it’s always a good idea to attend such workshops from credible people who work with this type of thing on a daily basis, especially when the laws can change quite frequently as well as all the constant changes going on within all the social networks that are available in this digital age. There were all types of artists, educators, photographers and people who work in the media in attendance. I was happy to see that some were there to find out how they can best protect the copyrights of the artists who’s work they publish.
In the past, I have resisted signing release forms such as this:
In such releases, the artist grabs all your rights to the photos you take of them… This is why you haven’t seen me photographing too many national acts of late…I don’t agree with this current trend of the performers “owning” all rights to your photos…I mean, if I wanted to be your slave, would you feed me too?
If you are a music photographer and have a facebook account, I would highly recommend “liking” this ”Music Photographer” page:
There have been several articles written on this very subject such as this one:
”All copyrights and other intellectual property rights shall be entirely Artist’s property,” read a line from Tool’s contract, which photographers wishing to capture the band from the front-of-stage photo pit were required to sign. “[The photographer] is prohibited from placing the photos in the so-called online media, and/or distributing them using these media,” stated Rammstein’s decidedly archaic contract, which concludes with an apparently self-defeating line about being subject to the laws of Germany.
I have shot one of these bands mentioned in this article in the past, and they did have a release form for me to sign but it wasn’t as strict as this current one is now. I have always wondered why any performer would be so protective and reluctant to have photos taken of them and not want them used as “free” promotion for their art….seems simple to me, but I guess they have their reasons.
I found this part of that article quite interesting:
“I used to have a music lawyer girlfriend,” says Mott, “Who told me that if you sign a contract, for it to be a legal document: 1), they must give you a copy; 2) they must give you time to sign it, whilst you consult your lawyer, and 3), money must change hands. You can’t give copyright away; that’s just illegal. She told me to sign it, and time it. It’s called ‘signed under duress’, because if a band goes on stage at 8.15pm and they give you a legal document at 7.45pm, how likely is it that, as a music photographer, you’re going to be accompanied by your lawyer?”
So just sign things and shoot away? And never mind what you signed later? I’m not sure about that… And, oh yeah, I never have received copies of any release forms either (except one time when I requested one.)
So I feel it’s equally important for the people who publish the photos as the photographers who take the photos, to understand and implement the copyright laws where they live. It’s a two way street…please give us the attribution we deserve at the very least. We did our best to capture the essence of your image so please give us the credit we deserve. I welcome any feedback or opinions on this subject from anyone including other photographers or musicians.
29 Jul 2011
New Website!
I have a new website!!! www.dianerichterphotography.com
It’s been a while since my website was updated and I am so excited about it! I have added a store to help with my sales and make it easier for my customers to purchase their photos from me. I am still getting used to the interface so please bear with me.
I will have lots of event photos, fine art photos and concert/music photos on this site soon. Please check back often!
Diane
10 Jul 2011
