William Neal just tweeted a remarkable photographer’s website;
http://www.christophergriffith.com/
Griffith’s work is insightful, yet structured. He chooses his project and then subjects it to intense scrutiny, and the result is a melange of varied perspectives. It’s as if he’s telling the viewer “Look at the diversity of texture, form in this one narrow grouping.” His latest book “Blown” is a study of fragments of tire treads, and the collection is wildly beautiful. His project, “Fall”, offers a macro view of leaves in color, and what color!
But the real kicker is this: Each and every image on his website has a “print” option. You can literally print your very own copy of any of his remarkable photographs.
Is this a good thing? I think it is. I’ve long maintained that should some viewer of my work want an offline copy of one of my images, they are welcome to print one off and tape it to their wall, or buy a frame and put it on their desk. I’m not keen on someone sending my work off to a commercial printer, and for heaven’s sake, don’t print and sell my images. Not without giving me a cut!
I recently discovered that one of my images had been used on the cover of a book, without my knowledge, consent or compensation. Once it was brought to the attention of the publisher, they offered compensation, and requested that I sign a contract. Upon reading the contract, I noted it stipulated exclusive rights to the image, and when I pointed this out, they removed the clause. Not all image theft turns out so well. I was compensated above what I would have gotten if I’d been contacted before hand, and they paid much less than if I’d taken them to court.
There’s an important distinction between commercial use and personal use. Most of my images are on public lands, and I use public thoroughfares to get to my locations. Public lands and public roads are supported by taxpayers all over America, and most will never get to actually use them. My images are possible due to the willingness of Americans to pay their taxes, and I offer free personal use licenses because of that. I don’t limit it to Americans–we share this planet, and America owes its continued existence to the goodwill of the rest of the world. People around the world buy American goods and services.
I would like it noted that I have had no communication with Christopher Griffith, and have received no compensation from him or his publishers for this blog entry.
