Why are we all so worried about copyright?
We know how expensive it is to photograph a work in our collections, especially a photo from which you could derive income. We know publishers want the best images and will contact us to get them.
So what are we really worried about?
Why do museums ban visitor photography in their galleries, even in the knowledge that results won’t be good enough for professional use? Research shows that visitors cite social reasons for attending.
So let’s encourage social behaviour – let’s encourage photography.
Let’s see images from our museums on social media, #paintingselfies images used in lecture theatres and hashtags.
First, its free publicity.
Second, it shows galleries and museums are part of everyday life – engaging through social media osmosis; audiences sharing experiences, encouraging more visitors.
We could take it further. Let’s make it a condition of loan, so that we can create the video content, the press and the reach we all want, rather than tying each other’s hands.
In fact, let’s give the images away. Why? Because artists and visitors should be allowed to be inspired, and the sector free to create the kind of interpretation its audiences want.
We all take the risk of possible income loss from the misuse of an image. But this is outweighed by the possibilities that arise when we remove control over the images of our collection.
One more thing: #stillnoflash.
We know how expensive it is to photograph a work in our collections, especially a photo from which you could derive income. We know publishers want the best images and will contact us to get them.
So what are we really worried about?
Why do museums ban visitor photography in their galleries, even in the knowledge that results won’t be good enough for professional use? Research shows that visitors cite social reasons for attending.
So let’s encourage social behaviour – let’s encourage photography.
Let’s see images from our museums on social media, #paintingselfies images used in lecture theatres and hashtags.
First, its free publicity.
Second, it shows galleries and museums are part of everyday life – engaging through social media osmosis; audiences sharing experiences, encouraging more visitors.
We could take it further. Let’s make it a condition of loan, so that we can create the video content, the press and the reach we all want, rather than tying each other’s hands.
In fact, let’s give the images away. Why? Because artists and visitors should be allowed to be inspired, and the sector free to create the kind of interpretation its audiences want.
We all take the risk of possible income loss from the misuse of an image. But this is outweighed by the possibilities that arise when we remove control over the images of our collection.
One more thing: #stillnoflash.
