An Issue of copyright

I came across and interesting blog post this morning surrounding the now iconic image of President Barack Obama that you have likely seen on the cover of Time Magazine, created by Shepard Fairey. I'll condense the issue as much as I can.

To the top left is the original image shot by Reuter's photographer Jim Young. Below left is the image Fairey created. Fairey stated finding the image using a Google search. Young has stated after learning about the photo's use, "I’m honored, but I’m glad it didn’t come out until after the campaign." 

The issue that everyone is talking about is one of copyright. In fact as far as I can tell, no other source is aware of or asserting that they know whom exactly owns the rights to Young's image. I for one see no wrong doing. Certainly, I'm in favor of copyright protection as a working fine art and commercial photographer. Yet, if we condemn Fairey for using the basis material are we not stifling the spirit of creativity and damaging the ability of art to be an organic form. I think "protection" can be taken too far. 

Let me pose an alternative example, I have a friend who is a mixed media artist who uses torn paper to create portraits. He also made a caricature of Obama taking newspaper articles that featured the now President and tearing them into small pieces then fashioning the random fragments into something resembling Barack. If we take copyright protection to the extreme, he would not have been allowed to create it at all even thought the end product resembles in no way the original material. In the end, it's all about scale. I would love for Seth's work to get the amount of attention that Fairey's has. Unfortunately, Fairey has become the target of much criticism exactly because his work became famous and provides a platform for much finger pointing. 

Yes, Fairey made a profit from his work. Great! Successful modern artists should be lifted up, not put down. In the modern lexicon, we would call these people haters. Indeed if we take copyright as far as some would suggest, I would not be able to include images with this post nor would anyone else.

I'm not suggesting anarchy or a lack of protections for artists of any sort but lament that we must necessarily insert lawyers and lobbyists into another segment of our lives. At least, it's nice to see the dialogue moving. Much like the political process, it takes people adding their two cents from all sides to produce the best results.

Read a dissenting opinion at MYARTSPACE>BLOG.

I guess I'm a believer that things work themselves out. Interestingly enough while on the campaign trail, Young took pictures that had Fairey's poster in them. He did so at that time not knowing that Fairey had used a shot of his as the basis for the poster. He profited off the images. 

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Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

We're enjoying the warmer weather here in Florida having escaped the icebox of the middle of the country. If you've ever wondered, here is your evidence for why photographers are the people behind the lens.

Stay warm, eat well, enjoy the time with those you love.

Best wishes,

B

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GO VOTE!

We had two districts at our polling center. Mine took less than five minutes for me to vote, in and out. The other line had over an hour wait. Weird! 

Just go vote, ok.

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My Main Street - Tulsa, Oklahoma

It's been all over the news recently how we need to focus on Main Street and not Wall Street. It got me thinking about it, and I realized that I had no idea where Main Street was in my town. This place that is supposed to reference all of us was a foreign place to me. So, I took it upon myself to find our Main Street and see what all those Main Streeters are up to. Turns out that Main Street Tulsa is downtown and on a Thursday afternoon, nobody was around at all. The particular stretch I found myself in is a warehouse district close by the Cain's Ballroom. It stuck me as funny that my shot includes a sign that says Workers yet after ten minutes, I still hadn't seen a soul. According to Google Maps, Tulsa has no Wall Street.

If you are reading this and wondering where your Main Street is, go find it. If you drop me a picture of it, I'll post it. 

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Jill Greenberg shoots John McCain and her own foot in the process

Photo Copyright Chris Phillips

If you have not yet heard of the controversy, Jill Greenberg was recently contracted by The Atlantic to shoot John McCain for their October issue's cover. Greenberg set up and took additional shots of the presidential hopeful during the photo set and later created several unflattering, to say the least, images greatly altered with Photoshop. One most notably, to me anyway, had a chimpanzee taking a crap on McCain's head (see here as I'm not posting this on my blog.) 

Photo District News explains the story better than I ever could. 

Responses rage across the internet, some of support, some of condemnation. Greenberg has since taken the manipulated images of McCain down from her website and was dropped by the photo agency. In these inflammatory political times, as Mark Tucker suggests who knows what is true, rumor, or exaggeration at this point. Like Mark, I'm fascinated by the story and have my own two cents to throw in.

First, why would you do this to your fellow professional photographers?

I'm sure that many a contract lawyer is happy as can be that they will be again welcomed to the negotiating table as magazines and commercial entities try to protect themselves from the "Greenberg fiasco." I'm not quite sure why The Atlantic would commission someone who's career was largely made by making a political statement against the current administration but like it or not Greenberg was representing all commercial photographers and should have considered the ramifications to the profession as a whole. I think a stronger political statement would have been made by turning down the money, instead now the movement of each light in a photo shoot will be seen as some sort of attempted chicanery. Must we now submit a registration of our party lines to ensure a client of non bias? 

Is the best political statement that one can make, a monkey taking a crap on someone's head?

I applaud the creativity of some of Greenberg's other work. Creating a series using crying children as a reference to the apocalypse brought about by the current administrations policies, well that's brilliant stuff. Thought provoking, meaningful, displaying craft and intent, but a crapping chimp. Seriously? 

Where's the reset button?

I ask myself this sometimes while looking at the events unfolding with this story and the larger political campaign stories flooding our media today. Would Jill take it back if she could? Would either candidate really go back in time to their moral high-ground before the smear tactics began? Likely, I must sadly say, not. Then, we might all have to look at the real issues facing this country. We might have to answer as to why we were so easily marshaled into raising our fists in outrage or support for things that don't really matter. 

I for one am cutting out to do what I love and leave this story and those like it behind. Off to take pictures.

Mark had a nice disclosure with his blog entry so I'll steal his idea and do my own:

I am an independent. I'm a fine art photographer. I also believe  the words of my father,"If I would actually want to vote for someone as president, they would be too smart to run in the first place."

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Picture of me at work circa. 2006

This image is courtesy my old friend Dave. It brings back those Colorado days under the Manitou Springs bridge. Beautiful waterfall there if you ever happen to be in the area. I'm missing the dry summers. Oklahoma is brutal this time of year. Sphere: Related Content

Iraq War Civilian Body Count

You may have noticed the counter I've added for the civilian body count for the Iraq War. My intent is not to argue over whether we should or shouldn't remain in Iraq or talk about troop withdrawal timelines. However, we should all be reminded of the terrible cost in human lives that this ongoing conflict is creating. May we find a peaceful resolution soon and may our troops return home safely to their families.

From their site:

Iraq Body Count is an ongoing human security project which maintains and updates the world’s largest public database of violent civilian deaths during and since the 2003 invasion. The count encompasses non-combatants killed by military or paramilitary action and the breakdown in civil security following the invasion.

Data is drawn from cross-checked media reports, hospital, morgue, NGO and official figures to produce a credible record of known deaths and incidents.

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Bear Sterns Presidential Campaign Contributions

I got a little curious as to if the investment bank Bear Sterns had made presidential campaign contributions to candidates this year since they seem to have so much in the way liquid funds lately. No major contender was exempt from the take.

Giuliani tops the receivers at $175,091.

Hilary comes in next at $154,740.

Dodd collected $122,650.

McCain grabbed $80,200.

Edwards, Obama, Ron Paul, and Romney all got donations as well to the sum of $911,406 for all contributions made. 

With average Americans now shelling out an average of $3.51 for a gallon of gas and having trouble affording to keep their homes, this is a sad state of affairs with much of the money funneled into campaigns that went nowhere really. I can't say that I'm proposing a solution here. I wish I had the answers. I was just something I was thinking about, and I hope you are as well. Big business is making its voice heard to our elected officials. Make sure they hear your voice as well by getting involved. Vote to change this country and help to turn this thing around. 

Contribution numbers courtesy: Opensecrets.org

Gas prices courtesy: Energy Information Administration

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Mom's tattoo

I got an email the other day from mom wondering why I hadn't ever mentioned that getting a tattoo hurts so badly. She is getting permanent eyebrows, which I would imagine is pretty painful. I was thinking about how my tattoos are a kind of map of where I've lived and the connection that sparks in my memories to those places and people every time I look at them. To those folks that I don't get to call often enough to check in on your lives, know that you are missed each time I look in the mirror. 

Here are the four shops that have worked on me. 

Voodoo Too Tattoo - Martinsburg, WV

Saint Tattoo & Body Piercing - Knoxville, TN (looks like their site is being overhauled atm)

West Side Tattoo - Colorado Springs, CO

Brookside Piercing and Tattoo - Tulsa, OK

For those now aware, Oklahoma was the last state to legalize tattooing. It wasn't legal until November 1st of 2006.

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Graffiti in the Garden

The Denver Botanic Garden is embracing urban culture with a new exhibit this Summer. Read more about it here. Sphere: Related Content

Parents these days

For those of you who aren't aware of where Commerce City is, throw a stone outside Denver and you've got the location.  For those not knowing what it is, picture the most run down stretch of industrial landscape you can imagine that stretches on for miles constantly gasping for a minute breath of clean anything. Last time I was in the area, I was given an escort out. We took a little trip up from Colorado Springs to take a few pictures of the oil refineries trying to capture some cool industrial shots. It would seem post 9/11 they don't like that and security vehicles promptly lead us away. Two white guys with telephoto lenses in a Ford Ranger clearly were a threat to national security.

I got this interesting link from a buddy today about a couple in Commerce City, click here. It seems that an argument broke out between the two as to which gang their four year old should join. Yes, being a relatively new parent myself I can't say I've ever pondered that particular question for my child's future. Seriously, some people just shouldn't breed. I had to chuckle and inwardly cry. 

Thanks Dave!

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PPA Super Monday review

So, I attended the local PPA (Professional Photographers of America) Super Monday event yesterday and was quite pleased with what I got out of it. Super Monday is held across the country in April with local photographers presenting events in their geographic region. There is no unified course offering but instead pros develop the idea and format for their own unique classes so no two are the same. The class in our neck of the woods was hosted by Gary Patton and was focused on portrait lighting both in studio and outdoors. Not expecting much in reality, I found the small class environment fun and exciting. The road of the professional photographer can be lonely, and it was a welcome opportunity to share experiences and do a little networking. Local host instructors are not paid for the classes. Fees are used for scholarships and other PPA programs and instructors are given merit credit towards professional certificate programs. I like that system and was happy to support it. 

My only negative experience with the whole thing was the online registration system at the PPA website. I've had trouble twice now attempting to register for PPA offerings and can't understand why they don't get it together. My personal feeling is that Safari isn't likely supported. I emailed their customer service folks and have yet to get a response back now five days later. I'm not attempting to bash the PPA at all, but it's my decision to report my experiences here on my blog as honestly as I can. 

Thanks again to Gary and the class for making it such a memorable event, and to the PPA for creating such a good program.

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Loch Ness Monster Finally Confirmed!

Just Kidding! April Fool's ya'll. Sphere: Related Content

Beware! TSA uses color theory.

As a photographer, this scares me a little after they drove us all crazy trying to figure out if our lithium camera batteries were dangerous or not.

In an effort to make your travel experience easier, TSA and its 43,000 employees have unveiled their new plan to make you feel more comfortable while waiting in line. Plans include replacing the traditional cold steel theme with blue imaging and mood music. And yes, more than half a decade later they are finally putting out benches so you can sit down to put your shoes back on. I feel more calm and secure already.

TSA Unveils Less Stressful Screening Process

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Save Tara Hill

Tara Hill is an archeological site of great significance under threat of roadway development in County Meath, Ireland. The hill, translated as Hill of the Kings, was once the seat of the High King of Ireland and is noted for its earthworks structures and monoliths. As a person with Celtic heritage as well as having an anthropology degree to boot, I'm outraged that the Prime Minister and other government officials continue to support the extension of the M3 motorway through the Tara-Skryne Valley despite overwhelming popular opinion against the project. 

Preserving heritage sites like these is terribly important so that our children can connect with the past in more ways than a just a photograph. Please review the links below to read about the issue and click here to join me in signing the petition to save Tara Hill. 

Wikipedia - Tara Hill

Mythical Ireland site

You Tube Video

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Beware of Dog .... copyrights

Found this story while surfing this morning. Good for a laugh. Beware the French Quarter for more than pick pockets!

My office is a few blocks from the French Quarter and I either drive through the Quarter or right along side it when I go to work. On weekends I sometimes go to my office early in the morning and stop in the French Quarter on the way just to walk around and take a few shots. The lighting is usually nice in the morning and the place isn't congested with tourists.

Last Sturday morning I was wandering around the flea market area where vendors were setting up their stands. I had a couple of shots left on a roll, so to finish off the roll I took a couple of snaps of a puppy that a guy had left tied to police barricade on the street. The guy came over and aggressively asked if I had taken a picture of his dog. I asked him, "What if I did?" The guy went postal, ranting about owning the copyright to any pictures of his dog, and started giving me a rash of sh*t. I calmly stood my ground and told him that in a public place such as on a public street it's okay to take pictures of just about anything. Apparently he thought I was a tourist because he noticed the Yankees cap I was wearing and made some disparaging remarks about me being from New York. I didn't say anything. Sometimes street performers, shoe shine guys and other Quarter characters try to hustle tourists to give them money if they take their pictures, so I thought maybe this guy just wanted money. But he kept it up and was becoming more and nore aggressive. I was still just standing there changing my film. When he said I was lucky that he didn't break my camera I suggested that we call a policeman over and that he would settle it. Then the guy backed off and sulked away.

Fast forward to this morning. On my way to the office I stopped in the Quarter and walked around a little with my camera. I was walking on a narrow sidewalk when a guy came out of a little convenience store just as I was passing by. We almost bumped into each, we both said "excuse me", and stood there face to face. It was the same guy from last Staurday. I saw him look up at the NY logo on my Yankees cap and he recognized me from last Saturday. He asked "Are you really from New York?" I said "No, I from here."

Without acknowledging anything that had happened before he said, "You ought to come to the Barkus parade this afternoon... I'm getting married." The Krewe of Barkus is a Mardi Gras dog parade. Before the parade starts at Congo Square there is dog costume contest and it's like a festival, with food and drinks and such. My wife and I try to go every year. It is very funny and we usually meet a lot of nice people there.

Anyway, I told the guy that I try to go to Barkus every year. He said "Yea, but I only get married every five or ten years... and my dog is going to be my best man."

Just to be sure it was the same guy I asked "Are you the same guy who gave me all that sh*t last week about taking a picture of your dog?" He laughed and said yes, he was... then he added that he had looked up the law and that I was right, that I could take pictures of his dog on a public street.

So I assured him I would be there at Barkus and would take pictures of his wedding and we left as good buddies. Crazy, huh?

Thanks Dennis!

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Animated Me

If you like this kind of thing, go to Meez.com and create yourself. You can easily add it to your blog or MySpace page.

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You win some, you lose some

Today was particularly interesting. I received word that I was accepted into the Urban Ambience Exhibition at the Watson Studio Gallery in Texas and didn't get into the Los Angeles Center for Digital Art Top 40 Juried Competition.  The above image was selected out of three that I submitted from my Spheres Portfolio to Watson. View all the selected images for the show here: http://watsonstudiogallery.com/exhibitions/urban/.  Sphere: Related Content

Increasing blog traffic

I've been reviewing some of the methods of getting more folks to my site, and it seems like joining blog directories is a good method. I will follow up in a week or two with results from the various directory sites. Until then, if you are interested in trying it yourself click on any of the small banners under the BLOG GROUPS heading at the bottom of the right sidebar. The directions are easy in each case. I haven't included any that seem shady or overly complicated so the work is half done for you already. As you can see, they don't take up much space on the blog at all. If you are having trouble with adding the html code, let me know and I'll try and help you out.  Sphere: Related Content

1st Group Show

The above shot is my first image to be shown in a gallery. It will be part of a group show in South Orange, NJ at the Pierro Gallery. The theme for the show is Is it Possible to Make a Photograph of New Jersey Regardless of Where You Are in the World. I shot this in Pueblo, Colorado in a public park in 2006. Of course, I am really excited to be a part of it.

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