Photographers Deserve Respect Too

photo by Karla Locke

by Karla Locke
Show A Little Respect To Photographers

Recently a friend saw this image of mine being used on a local TV station’s blog. Cool right? Normally, yes.

What irritated my friend was that the writer did not give photo credit to me as the photographer. My friend took it upon herself to be my advocate and let the station know. At the same time, another friend, tweeted to let the writer know it’s just not cool not to give credit where credit is due. Writer’s have bylines, so should photographers.

The writer corrected the issue right away, giving photo credit and an apology. Did the writer mean any disrespect? I am sure they didn’t. Then the question is: why not give photo credit? It is just a simple caption to an image. 

Has photography become such a day-to-day commodity that everyone feels free to use an image as they please? Why do people think that it is okay to take an image and use it on their blog, website, Facebook, even book covers without asking? Without credit? Without paying for it? Just because it is on the internet does mean someone should not be respectful and ask for permission. Or, give credit. 

I believe it is because almost everyone is taking photos nowadays and for most people it is just a hobby. A way to share, which the digital age has encouraged. Most people are flattered when others share or use their images, even if credit wasn’t given. 

But photography is not a hobby, it is an art form. And we should be respectful. Not just to photographers, but all artists, including literary.

Be respectful–ask permission first. They will either say yes or no, they may want a fee for the use of their image (licensing), which is only fair. In the past, that writer would have had to ‘pay’ for the use of my image.

Be respectful–give them credit. This is common courtesy. Let others know who the photographer (artist) is. Give credit where credit is due.

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