Before I show you a photo of the latest finished barn, I have a question for you....
I'm looking for input and would like to throw this over to you for your opinions on the subject. Most of us know there is always a debate over copyright laws and I'm wondering what your feeling is about using images that are found on the internet (particularly on Pinterest) as a basis for creating art - specifically things like abandoned churches and houses (barns, too, of course). I live in an area where there are very few old falling-down churches because most have been converted to homes and thus don't have the look I like for my work. I would love to branch out into doing other old buildings beyond the barns I have managed to source locally. There are tons of images on the internet that are perfect but simply cannot be traced back to the person that originated them in order to seek permission to use them in my art. I know there is one school of thought that says that provided you use an image for 'personal use only' it's okay, but how does that apply if you make only one - but plan to sell it? What say you?
And now, here's the latest barn.....
FOR SALE
Love your barn hanging. It's gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI actually took a class on copyright but it related to creative writing so no help I'm afraid. It's truly a gray area when it relates to images on the internet.
There are Facebook groups that solely focus on abandoned buildings (Abandoned in Virginia is one that I follow) so I assume that there are probably groups that focus on barn photography. I'd recommend finding groups like that where you can see the images and then ask the poster for permission......and then I popped over to FB and could these:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/BarnPictures/?ref=br_rs
https://www.facebook.com/groups/583316925052646/?ref=br_rs
https://www.facebook.com/groups/944714685542420/?ref=br_rs
This way you could easily get permission straight from the photographer. Personally I hate Pinterest just because it's so impossible to find ownership info.
I think if you name the source that you found the image it should be okay. If the owner comes forward afterwards then you can acknowledge their image as the source of your inspiration. But even so this is usually in the public domain and therefore I would consider it public and available for use. I am sure others will disagree but if you have done all you can to trace it back and are unable to, I think you should be free to use the image as your inspiration.
ReplyDeleteGwen
Thank you Gwen for your response. In this case I am unable to name a source so it's difficult. If I could, I would definitely ask for permission and give proper credit. I'm sure it would take a lawyer versed in copyright law to really be able to make it clear.
DeleteIf you plan to sell it then you are not making it for personal use. It’s that simple. Selling something makes it a commercial use. I cannot address the legality of using any specific image to create art, but anything that is sold is inherently commercial in nature.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sarah - your response has pretty much distilled the issue down to the basics and that was what I was looking for! How I wish people would put their contact information on photos that end up on the internet so we could approach them directly and request permission to use their images in our art.
DeleteI would definitely not use anything with a watermark or identifier without permission, but, in the absence of that, as long as you're not copying exactly I think it should be okay. If you're using these as starting points for your creations, there's nothing wrong with that. I would say though, that if someone requested something specific - I would ask them to provide you with a photo of it. I'll be interested in the general consensus on this.
ReplyDeleteI had just recently pinned that glass Christmas tree idea and was thinking all along that lights on the inside would look really pretty. Now I have one more thing to look for at thrift shops. And I'm adding that definition to one of my journals tonight - thanks for sharing.
Wondering about using images made by others as inspiration...and creating composite images?
ReplyDeleteThank you Kathy - using images for inspiration is probably okay, provided it's not an exact copy of the original. It's a grey area though! I have thought of doing composites and might go that route. At least then it would be enough 'mine' to be construed as being original. Most people wouldn't worry about copyright laws and just go their merry way, but my conscience won't let me!
DeleteSpeaking as an artist whose work has ended up on Pinterest with the attribution removed, I really thank you for your ethical approach. The issue is not just the subject of a work, it's the design and composition that went into it. The reason it's appealing in fact.
ReplyDeleteYour idea about taking an idea here and there from several sources and creating your own composition seems to me to be a good one. That way you really are making original art. I don't think anyone can fault you for that!
I'm back because I realize that I didn't tell you how wonderful this barn turned out! It's a beauty!
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love the finished Barn Mary Anne! I hope you get the copyright dilemma solved.... would love to see works of other buildings for you. Just a suggestion but, why don't you put out a request on your blog for viewers to send you any photos of the relevant buildings they may have.... we all take photos when we are out and about. That way you would know that you had their permission to use them and know who to credit the photos to. Christine xx
ReplyDeleteOh friend, I am in LOVE with your barn. You did an amazing job and your finished work took my breath away.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sarah, if you sell it than it's no longer for personal use. There are so many copyright issues anymore....
Hugs to you!
It would have been a good thing if I'd remembered to say your latest barn is lovely. Because it is.
ReplyDeleteYour latest barn is beautiful, Mary Ann. The embroidery in the right corner is lovely.
ReplyDeleteI think Boud has it right. Take inspiration from here and there and tweak it to make it your own.
Taking someone else's work whether you know whose it is or not and using it as though it were your own
isn't the right thing to do.
This barn looks great! I'd say you use enough creativity that your piece never comes out exactly like the picture and therefore not an exact copy anyway. Like I teach my students, I always at least give an internet link to the picture after first trying to acquire permission. When I create a quilt pattern, these days I never know that I might have dreamed up a pattern that's already copyrighted? I do an assertive search to try to find credit, then if I give up, I just write a disclaimer and ask if anyone knows of a copyright please let me know and I'll take it down or give credit. I don't make things to sell, but I do make things for gifts and realize I have no control if they are sold after that, i.e. donated to second hand store and sold. All of my ideas and pictures on my blog are not copyrighted, but I'm like most, it makes me feel good when some kind of credit is given. Like my Mug Organizer, I offer the idea to folks I see at quilt shows and only ask they add the link to their little card they attach to the item to pass on to others. I find that people writing non profit blogs grant permission are appreciative of being given credit via a link. I actually hope I help people, especially those that need it, make a little money to live.
ReplyDeleteYour 'new' barn is fabulous. Re copyright and using others' photos, sketches etc. if you cannot trace back to the original artist that could be a bit tricky. I consider using photos for inspiration and changing a lot of the details; would make it yours.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the barn!! I like the comments others have given you regarding copyright. I usualoly use photos from my own collection and family members.
ReplyDeleteI like Christine's suggestion. Ooodles of clever blog readers who take great photos. It is tricky isn't it. Hannah and I have had a couple of times when we wanted to buy a pattern or book but the cost of postage was 3 times the cost of the item! We just couldn't do it. So worked out how to do it ourselves. But only for our use at home and we actually never put stuff like that on the blog either. It's quite interesting as I am sure lots of people who have taken a lovely photo would be quite pleased that someone has re made it in a different medium.
ReplyDeleteMary Anne Dear you continue to create the most amazing Barn Quilts. I would love to see you create Churches. Using photos for inspiration yet changing them for your quilting pleasure would be your own unique designs. Copywrite rules and laws are very confusing and challenging to us laypeople. Good Luck Dear. I can totally relate to Stashcovery!!! <3
ReplyDeleteOf course I love your barn. And thank you for the links. I found all the comments about using a pic from the web interesting. The answer I agreed with the most was Boud's. You have done several fabric pieces that are commissioned and based on a picture from the property owner so mostly the issue hasn't been an ISSUE for you. You are becoming a very accomplished artist in fiber pictures so I think if you find a pic you want to use for inspiration and mix it up that's great. But I'd check out those FB groups first and possibly make the solution to your dilemma a little easier. Good Luck. I'm excited to see what you can do with a Church.
ReplyDeletexx, Carol
Mary Anne, your latest barn is fabulous, as usual. It is always a delight to see your fabric artworks.
ReplyDeleteCopyright use is such a grey area and I hope you can find some positive information. There have been some good comments today.
Your finished piece looks amazing, another reborn barn!
ReplyDeleteI often wonder about that with cross stitch, using a picture and making a pattern. Most say if it's for your use only, it's okay, but not if you want to sell it.
Love it!
ReplyDeleteI have been having fits with our internet service for a couple of weeks and didn't realize I had missed this finish! It's beautiful, Mary Anne. I love the different textures in the foreground, and those embroidered flowers are so pretty!
ReplyDeleteThank you Becki! It's my favourite - so far.
DeleteDo you know pexels.com? Those pictures are free to use also for commercial use ;)
ReplyDeleteHere is a search for 'barn'
https://www.pexels.com/search/barn/
Love your work
Thank you Marleen - I wasn't aware of that site and will definitely check it out!
Delete