[MR] ot pic hosting

[Rozsa]

Professional or hobbyiest - while photography is not necessarily a 'period' 
art form, it is an art form that allows us to capture and remember 
everything from the most wonderful, amusing, and sometimes embarassing 
moments of this game we play.

We have many professionals who donate their time and special skill set to 
the SCA without asking for any sort of compensation - chefs, webministers, 
writers, accountants, researchers, etc. They use their skill sets to benefit 
the SCA and don't ask for payment at the end of the year or the event for 
doing what they do professionally in the SCA.

I'm not really sure how photography should differ from this.  Especially if 
the photographer in question was not hired, nor even asked, to come take 
pictures of the event.

Now if a photographer wants to set up as a merchant and advertise their 
availability to come and photograph your special moment, prowess in a 
tourney, or take portraits of you - superb!  But if they just wander around 
the event snapping pictures of whomever without proper releases in order to 
place your image on their website and then sell your image - regardless of 
where the proceeds are going - that is improper.  If my image is to be sold, 
I should have a say in where the profits go - or have signed a release 
allowing the photographer to use my picture as they saw fit.  Outside the 
SCA no one has the right to use my image to make money for any reason 
without my permission, we should not lose that right just because we put on 
garb and run around a medieval event.

Rozsa
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Baronö Bessenyei Rozsa
Eastern NC Regional Seneschal
http://www.ebonwoulfe.com