around the net, volume 14: copyright, links, movies about photographers and a photo a day
July 18, 2008 – 12:30 amDefinitive copyright info
I just watched a couple of very informative videos on Photoshop Insider: Scott Kelby’s exclusive interview with Attorney Ed Greenberg on copyright, model releases and shooting in public. Many of the questions posed by prophotolife readers regarding legal issues (can I photograph that building? do I need a model release? how do I protect copyright?) are answered here in Scott’s videos, all in easy to understand language. Mr. Greenberg starts with a funny (and very accurate) statement, “photographers insist, when they have a legal problem, on asking other photographers for legal advice rather than asking an attorney”. Here’s your chance to hear the answers straight from a knowledgeable attorney.
Great source of photo links
Digital Photography School just published a current 25 Great Links and Tutorials from Around the Web. I was attracted to a couple of links in particular and found a few sites I wasn’t familiar with. I’m confident there’s something of interest here for everyone.
Movies (dramas/mysteries) about photographers
For some reason I was thinking about movies centered around photographers today. Not the many great documentaries out there but some fiction, dramas and mysteries. It’s summer here in the northern hemisphere and my movie watching time seems more confined to the winter months, but I wanted to write down what surfaced during my after work bike ride, while it was fresh to memory. With a little help from the International Movie Database (imdb) I came up with this info. Around December I’ll remind myself with a link back to here:
Blowup (1966) - a mod fashion photographer in mid-1960s London believes he’s photographed a murder after developing his negatives shot in a park. He then sets about solving the crime. I seem to recollect the main character was inspired by fashion photographer David Bailey (?). Directed by Michelangelo Antonioni, this film provides a great ‘snapshot’ of the once ultra-cool, freewheeling fashion photography world of the ‘60s. Once considered a must-see for all photographers.
Rear Window (1955) - acclaimed director Alfred Hitchcock and actors Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly star in this thriller about a wheelchair bound photojournalist who broke his leg while photographing an auto race. Impatiently stuck at his rear window he believes he may have (did you guess it yet?) witnessed a murder through the lens of his camera. Nominated for four Oscars and starring these great talents…what more can I say?
The Public Eye (1992) - Joe Pesci stars as “The Great Bernzini”, a 1940s New York City crime photographer based on the life of Arthur “Weegee” Fellig (if you liked the link to period photographs in the Farm Security Administration post earlier in the week, I’m sure you’ll like the work of Weegee). I’m embarrassed I haven’t seen this movie because it was partially shot here in Cincinnati and some local friends worked on the production. Okay, I need to check the library for this one
Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus (2006) - Director: Steven Shainberg (oops, not Spielberg, as I’d originally written -thanks, Harly), Lead Actor: Nicole Kidman, fictional portrayal of famed photographer Diane Arbus. There’s a lot there to like, right off the bat, those are some big names. But of the few people I know that saw the movie there were no raves. I like documentaries. I like dramas. This falls somewhere in between…? And the imdb database says something about Arbus (Kidman) falling in love with Robert Downey, Jr.’s, character, who has “werewolf syndrome”. I’m not compelled to check this one out. Has anyone here seen it?
Time for a project
After reading my own advice this past week, it’s time to start a new personal photo project. The trick is making it all fit: running a (currently extremely) busy photo studio, a busy website (you’re looking at it), trying to enjoy a bit of summer and then adding a personal photo project on top of that. Hmmm, how to do that? Well, if I make the project part of the website then that covers a couple of bases. So I’ll chronicle whatever project it is, right here.
All I know right now is that it will be during the month of August and will somehow be based around the photo-a-day concept. Any suggestions? Once I get it figured out I’ll be sure to let you know. And anyone / everyone is welcome to join in…it’s not a party unless everyone is invited.
Have a great weekend, I’ll see you on Monday with a new video!
- Jim T.
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13 Responses to “around the net, volume 14: copyright, links, movies about photographers and a photo a day”
Hi there!
First of all: Love your blog
Second: I”ve seen Fur recently, and I absolutly loved this movie. Robert Downy Jr,. is at his best, and Nicole Kidman plays also very well. But the movie isn’t so much about photography as i wuould have liked. more of a “free yourself”-drama. But watching is a must do!
By Bela on Jul 18, 2008
I’m glad to hear an enthusiastic review for Fur, that sounds like enough to go out and pick it up. Maybe that’s what I remember most about what other photographers have told me, that it wasn’t as much about photography as they would have liked. I’m sure we would all like to see a cool old Rolleiflex in every scene.
By Jim Talkington on Jul 18, 2008
I had a friend who recently did a “30 Strangers” project. It turned out fantastically and you can see it here!
It’s a great short project that can keep you engaged and creative. I want to try something like it someday!
By Marcene on Jul 18, 2008
Thanks for the link to the interview with Ed Greenberg. That was very helpful.
You commented in a previous post that you were looking at your film camera and were thinking about doing a film project. I’m thinking that it would be nice to see the results of a picture a day taken with a film camera on manual. I’d love to give something like that a try myself if only we had my wife’s camera back. She loaned it out to our niece to use for school.
I’ll be looking forward to what you come up with for a project.
By John Brainard on Jul 18, 2008
There is also “Under Fire”, movie about a war photojournalist.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086510/
By Mike C on Jul 18, 2008
Another good photog movie… Under Fire, 1983.. Nick Nolte and Joanna Cassidy
By Bill Rhodes on Jul 18, 2008
Very much can related to the personal project part of your post.
I started a project a few months ago to photograph all the bridges listed on the historic register in my county, and may be a few surrounding counties. Something that could be continously added to, had some visual cohesion that could be put into a gallery.
Of course there are many possible variations to this type of project. And lends itself to collaboration of a distributed audience if so desired.
Here’s what I have so far: http://www.allklier.com/Galleries/collection_bridges/collection_bridges.aspx
By Jan on Jul 18, 2008
Jan, that’s a great start to a really cool project.
Keep up the good work.
By Bill Rhodes on Jul 18, 2008
Just for clarification purposes; the movie “Fur” was directed by Steven Shainberg not Steven Spielberg.
By harly on Jul 20, 2008
Thanks, Harly, I made the correction in the text.
Wow, those are definitely inspirational ideas. Marcene, your friends’ work is beautiful, thanks for pointing it out. I’ll definitely be referring back to it.
And the historic bridges idea is fantastic, Jan, I really like it. The concept of creating a lasting record is especially important right now, when so many things are designed with disposability in mind. Using the group collective for documentation is a great idea.
Film…
By Jim Talkington on Jul 20, 2008
On the movies, see War Photographer ( http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0309061/ ), a documentary on James Nachtwey, a very inspiring guy.
Regarding the project, maybe try capturing a different emotion each day (bonus points for not using the obvious like people’s expressions or body language)?
I’d choose a project thats a bit abstract to allow for a variety of photos.
By Marcus on Jul 21, 2008
The movie Blow UP - Absolutely one of the worst movies I have ever seen. Please don’t waste your time. There is also some brief nudity in it which is also in Fur. Blow Up doesn’t even deserve a ONE Star rating ! !
By Michael Bordenkircher on Jul 23, 2008