I LOVE visual reminders!
I wanted to bring up this topic that I ran into on social media somewhere. Ever since I joined the smart phone crowd last summer, I started snapping pics of things I see while out shopping. The above roosters are just to remind me I need to do some sort of rooster/chick collection. In the paintings above, I liked the complimentary colors used (blue and orange).The other cool thing that happens is when I look at the photos months later - something completely different about the photo might inspire me!
I feel a bit "criminal" taking the photos! Not sure why. All they do is sit in my phone (until now!). I think it is because it isn't my store and I don't ask permission to take photos… That being said. I have been caught several times taking pictures and no one has minded in the least.
I am hoping to get a lawyers opinion as well as artists and agents. I know there are many others of you out there who do this too! So now that I have come out of the closet, do you like this sort of visual reminder for yourself?
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
I was so tempted to do so yesterday while browsing wedding cards in a local drugstore. I was trying to figure out how non-traditional I could go in terms of colors and I wanted to snap photos of a couple of hallmark cards that fit what I was thinking about. I didn't dare.
ReplyDeleteI work in a gallery and I _do_ take photos of work that inspires me. Not to copy but mostly to remind myself how something was done. But you're right, I do feel guilty about even thinking about doing it.
Hey Lin Collette! Last year when I was in New York and at the Metropolitan Art Museum - I was floored that people took photos of famous paintings with their cell phones... we then looked around for signs saying no photography, but didn't happen to see one. Some how I think a retail store is a bit different. I could be wrong.
DeleteThanks a bunch for stopping by!
There's the copyright aspect - YOU know you aren't capturing the image with any intent to infringe - but others don't know your intentions. The other problem (the one I personally encountered) is Competitive Espionage ... My daughter was job shadowing in a local grocery store and I was taking photos for her and to potentially use in a blog post about her experience. I was approached by an overzealous employee of the store who very curtly asked me what my purpose was with the photos. She literally assumed I was spying for a competitive store (first I'd ever heard of espionage in the grocery industry, but there you go).
ReplyDeleteI haven't taken pictures in stores for the purposes of visual reminders of subjects to draw but I have saved images on the computer for awesome general color combinations - i.e. interior design themes that generate a certain mood or feeling that are based on color combinations that I want to utilize in my future works.
Hey Kim :-) Great to "see" you! Thanks for sharing your experience. I have taken photos of fruit in grocery stores with no problem. I will definitely get permission first!
DeleteI've never tried taking pictures in stores but I may try it. I once visited a vintage/shabby chic style store in Virginia that displayed a big sign at the door entrance - No Cameras/Pictures Allowed. I guess it depends on the store owner policy.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I am a bit nervous about taking the pictures. From what I am getting from other people's experiences here and on social media, I am going to check with the store clerk first :-)
DeleteThanks for taking the time to comment! I really appreciate your input :-)
I take photos in our local stores for my blog when I'm writing about what's trending. I usually ask and so far the shopkeepers have been delighted and really interested in what I'm doing. The only person who has ever refused was a market stallholder who had a wonderful display of Poppy red fashion items and he became quite aggressive, worried that somehow 'the competition' would copy his ideas.
ReplyDeleteHi Judy! Would you mind posting a link to your blog here so people can find it? - thanks for stopping by and sharing your experience :-)
DeleteI found it! Here is a link to Judy's Blog! http://judyadamsonartanddesign.blogspot.com/
Delete