Photography Question. Copyrighting Photos

[Lunatock]

As the subject implies. I'm in the middle of getting a handfull of good photos, and consider them good enough to copyright, and/or see if they could be sold & usefull to someone. Anyone more experienced with earning a living by snapping photos got pointers for that?

[Buzzsaw]

All photographs, like written work, are instantly copyrighted by their creator the second they are made...it's ENFORCING your copyright that is more tricky

I would do this: make some 8x12 prints, and then mail them to yourself. Don't open the envelope when you get it, but store it in a safe place. Then you have a permanant record of the images in a sealed envelope containing a postal date to record when the images were taken. Now your IP position is defensible.

[Lunatock]

All photographs, like written work, are instantly copyrighted by their creator the second they are made...it's ENFORCING your copyright that is more tricky

I would do this: make some 8x12 prints, and then mail them to yourself. Don't open the envelope when you get it, but store it in a safe place. Then you have a permanant record of the images in a sealed envelope containing a postal date to record when the images were taken. Now your IP position is defensible.

Thanks for the info. It couldn't hurt to add that idea to filling out a copyright application. Even though it'd mean at least triple prints of the photos in question.

[cbychoice]

http://www.whatiscopyright.org/

http://www.digimarc.com/watermark/

http://www.digimarc.com/watermark/imagebridge/#

in the imagebridge info is a free download for watermarks

[spicymos]

I would do this: make some 8x12 prints, and then mail them to yourself. Don't open the envelope when you get it, but store it in a safe place. Then you have a permanant record of the images in a sealed envelope containing a postal date to record when the images were taken. Now your IP position is defensible.

Sorry, but if you live in the US this wont help much. According to the U.S. Copyright Office's official website:

I’ve heard about a “poor man’s copyright.” What is it?
The practice of sending a copy of your own work to yourself is sometimes called a “poor man’s copyright.” There is no provision in the copyright law regarding any such type of protection, and it is not a substitute for registration.
http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-general.html#what

[Buzzsaw]

Disregard my shitty advice, lunatock.

[media]

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 5:22 pm Post subject:

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All photographs, like written work, are instantly copyrighted by their creator the second they are made...it's ENFORCING your copyright that is more tricky

buzzsaw is correct. I have to deal with it all the time when someone has home video or stills that we need to use. If only seconds old I still need a written or strong verbal agreement with the author before I can air them.

[RYP]

There are three ways to copyright photos effectively. First of all make sure the photo is transmitted with full copyright and contact info IN the photo (Photoshop can add watermarks, for prints you just stamp them over the image)

Second of all control the distribution. Only work with legitimate companies and provide usage costs with the images. There are a number of books that can help you on this.

Finally always used a messenger or delivery service that shows proof of delivery (like Fedex) that way if they are lost you can claim replacement value.

This way if your photo is used. You can show that a) the photos were clearly marked as copyrighted and b) there was a fee for usage. (you can always negotiate a lower or higher fee but the

[Lunatock]

tagged.

[m4p]

Check out http://www.editorialphoto.com/

A lot of the good info here from photographer's rights advocates.

[Lunatock]

Mucho gracias MP4.

[redfax]

Then again, if you have the negs, and all the other guy has is a 150X200 .jpg, wouldn't that count?