Comments on: Photographer friendly?

By: Paul

Paul — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 10:21:45 +0000

That’s a good point, Mark. I would wonder if it is legal as well. Anyone can take pictures at the zoo, but if they found it on a stock site, and could prove it, they could start legal actions; they might not win, but it would be very expensive to find out, unfortunately. I think that I’ll just avoid the place. There are many, many, many places to photograph without such restrictions!

By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 02:23:46 +0000

I have often wondered about the legality of such policies, given that any joe schmoe can also take pictures at the zoo. I know there is no legal ground if it is considered a public place – but zoos may be considered private property perhaps. (?)

By: Intern

Intern — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 02:04:07 +0000

very nice shot..tyhe dragonfly image is indeed remarkable.

By: Sidney

Sidney — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 23:02:13 +0000

Indeed, this is insane!
By the way, great pictures!

By: earl

earl — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 18:40:38 +0000

If they make the on the site determination of “amateur” or “professional” by the photo gear they carry there’s going to be real problems. Today’s amateur often has better gear then many professions did a few years ago.

I agree with you…follow the money. It’s often about greed.

By: Paul

Paul — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 16:42:43 +0000

Thanks for chiming in, Wren. I find it amazing, and rather disheartening, all of the ways that people/corporations try to constrain photographer’s rights. One such thing that I read in The Photographer’s Legal Guide was there was actually a company that tried to trademark a tree! There is an often photographed lone cypress tree on 17 Mile Drive in California. There have been a few failed legal attempts to get this tree, which none of them created, trademarked so that photographers would not be able to profit from it unless they pay a fee. Amazing.

I’m glad that the Asheboro Zoo has not fallen to such greed. I would happily share my pictures with them for credit. No problem!

By: wren

wren — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 15:28:57 +0000

As a librarian, I can expound for hours on kafkaesque intellectual property laws. The basic operating principle seems to be that the side with more lawyers has all the rights. An interesting variation on “them that has the gold makes the rules.”

Nonetheless, I love the dragonfly-on-lion photo and am glad you are not barred from shooting locally.