Pro Photos

J. Hoffman

J. Hoffman

Joined
Jan 1, 2011
Messages
1,798
I have a question about professional photos of knives. Who generally has the rights to the photos and can allow them to be published. I'm looking at doing a project in which photos would need to be reproduced, and I'm wondering if I should be contacting the photographers for permission to print or the maker. Of course both will be credited in the project, and I wouldn't ever print something with out the makers permission. I guess I'm mostly wondering if I need permission from the photographer also. Thanks for any advice.
Jess
 
The photographer owns the copyright unless the rights were transferred to the knifemaker.
 
The above is the usual but it can be an arrangement where each has the right to use as they see fit without the permission of the other.
Frank
 
Yes, thanks Frank, I should have been more clear. I think your best bet is to start with the knifemaker and go from there.
 
In knives, it is the object in the photo that is of most interest. That means the knifemaker is the one to contact first. It is was a photo of a building or a field of sunflowers, the photographer would be the one to contact. If previously published in a book/magazine, you may need to contact them, also. Intellectual property is a weird thing.

When I have photos done of a knife, I own the rights. It is proper to credit the photographer in any publication ( Photo by Point Seven, etc.)

Where it gets complicated is when the photos aren't done for me and paid for by me. Then, the rights usually belong to the photographer or his employer. If a magazine does an article on my knives, I can not use those photos in anything I publish or post online without their written permission. I can post a link, but not actually post/publish the photos.

If a knife photo has a copyright or "all rights reserved" notice, it is wise to check with the photographer first, as he knows the paper trail of the photo.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
In knives, it is the object in the photo that is of most interest. That means the knifemaker is the one to contact first.
Click to expand...

I respectfully disagree with this...

As a professional photographer who has had several photographs stolen and dealt quite a bit with copyright laws over the years--PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE--contact the photographer who took the pictures and ask them for permission first. While the knife may be the subject, the photograph itself is the body of work being produced (or reproduced) and is owned and retained by the photographer, unless other arrangements have been made. Period.
 
I guess that the arrangements I have always had gave me the rights.

I have authorized the photographer to distribute the photos for publication, and when they were selected, dealt with the publisher giving my permission to be printed.

As I said, it can get complicated. That is why I said to contact the photographer if the photos have appeared in print.
 
JBC69 said:
I respectfully disagree with this...

As a professional photographer who has had several photographs stolen and dealt quite a bit with copyright laws over the years--PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE--contact the photographer who took the pictures and ask them for permission first. While the knife may be the subject, the photograph itself is the body of work being produced (or reproduced) and is owned and retained by the photographer, unless other arrangements have been made. Period.
Click to expand...

Also as a professional photographer I agree with you. I suggested starting with the knifemaker ONLY because they may have already secured the rights to the photo and if not they can direct you to the photographer.
Please do not use any image that you do not have written permission to use from the copyright owner.
 
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