People Say The Darndest Things

ROFL Apparently they don't know what a model release is for.

"Property release"

Yeah, let him find out how much a lawyer charges to go after a few bucks.

Someone left a comment one of my images - "If I buy a print can I use it as a background for my YouTube videos?"

Hi Louise,

Why didn't you speak up? What made you hesitate?

if your on public property, you don't need a release. if you were on their land, it may be a different story. proving it was his door, might be harder though unless its' very unique. i never like it when they say - hey that's me up there, or something to that nature. often its better to stay silent because you never know what could happen. like they could demand the image itself and force it off. best to stay hidden.

---Mike Savad

Hi again Louise,

I wanted to come back and say something further.

Your poster has the title of a specific area, some of the doors even have address numbers on them (would have been better for you to photoshop those out).

Seems to me, the guy let you slide by not giving you a hard time about it. Think of it this way. How would you feel if someone took a picture of your front door and was selling it. Forget if it's legal or not, it still wouldn't feel too good, right? You should have offered him a free poster, and been willing to at least talk with him about it. Just my opinion.

My best one, was doing a one-man-art-show, a guy pulls up; "Duh, are those picture?" When I answered yes, he replied, "Oh" and left. Art show, what would you expect?

Knowing the dismal state of my house, I'd say "go for it"! My house is a bit "historical" to my town as it was the original home of a major land owning family 100 years ago.
I have had people come out and ask me why I was photographing their house and my reply always is "I'm the door poster lady" and they get all excited that their door will be on the next incarnation.
As Mike said, as long as I'm not physically on their property, it's ok. I did have one lady years ago scream at me from across the street to stop photographing her house; her door went front and center after I found out she was known as the town's #1 bi**ch. LOL She has since passed away and the house went up for sale. I babysat for a previous owner of that house-sure would have loved to own it.

I didn't speak up because I felt that it was not the time or place to get into a possible argument.

The towns of which I have done these posters are historical, some nationally designated as such. Many of the doors in the Bordentown version are on buildings other than houses and some of the houses are included in tours and brochures.

At past shows, I've had people ask, "got any of celebrities?" A lady this weekend wanted to know if I had any more of a particular frame in stock. Another said she wanted to purchase an image because it went with her "real art".

re: the last comment in your previous post, i had to laugh since it has happened way more than once.....substitute sofa, wall color, drapes, carpeting, or dog for 'real art.'
many buyers are just looking for things that 'go with.'
at my price tags, it's more than fine with me!

"because it went with her "real art".

Reminds me of a true story.

I was once invited to lunch by one of my favorite, local, patrons. She owns several of my prints, and always stops by when I'm showing somewhere. At this particular (expensive!) lunch, she introduced me to her favorite waiter, Jason. The introduction went like this:

"Hi, Jason, I'd like you to meet Wendy; she makes digital art! Wendy, this is Jason. He's a real artist!"

Jason was a painter. Jason also turned red with embarrassment, and fled the table. Jason did not return to the table, but sent over Victoria, instead. Victoria was not an artist.

My patron's (friend's?) reaction? "I really hope he's not coming down with something. He looked so flushed!"

Wow. I think you have more class and dignity then I, Wendy. Here's how the conversation would have gone if that had been me and instead of art, we were talking photographs.


Her: "Hi, Jason, I'd like you to meet Joe; he makes digital photographs! Joe, this is Jason. He's a real photographer!"
Me: (five second stare down, gets up, walks out)

& waste a perfectly good meal over a professed statement of ignorance ?

Nah, eat first..... then leave. Always time to be miffed later : )

Wendy, you forgot to add " embarrassment will do that!"

Joseph, two things I almost never walk out on:

1. A repeat buyer, who has also recommended me to her friends, and

2. A free meal.

Sometimes, it makes more sense to consider the source and keep doing what you're doing. She didn't say anything I haven't heard before . . . and she spends perfectly good money collecting my apparently 'fake' art. ;-)


@Janine -- I was irritated, but not truly miffed. Can you say "pork tenderloin, roasted brussels sprouts, and chocolate cheesecake"? I can! :-)


@Marlene -- That would have gone right over her head.

Photoshopping out house numbers, license plates etc is a good practice. Might not be needed for art but it is standard in licenced work.

i always change numbers on cars, houses, non-military boats, etc. I'd hate to see my own home, with house number displayed, as someone's artwork. Under any circumstances, that would bug me.

Wendy,
The zingers that go right over other peoples' heads are for my own entertainment. ;)

@Wendy re. reply to Joseph. I couldn't agree more. Never bite the hand that feeds you. Insisting on an ego can be very expensive. :)

@Marlene -- I get that! ;-)

@Rudy -- Indeed! I know when a situation truly calls for baring my teeth. ;-)

I kinda feel you have to take the buyers comments or feelings out of the equation. You know what you do and let them think whatever they want.... as long as they buy. I mean your selling a product ultimately and people buy for a number of reasons and it doesn't change what or why you do what you do. Of course if someone said something crazy offensive, I would have to put them in their place, but chances are if they are you customer, it isn't meant to be derogatory.

As far as the door thing, it probably was better to ignore it. Chances are if you are legally correct, there would still be no way you could make him understand. If it were that big of an issue with him... he would have sought you out and it would cost him a lot to fight it.

on a side note, many times at art fairs and such I see such blatant copyright violations. Actually more often then not. I don't say anything because thats on them and none of my business. I truly think they probably are not aware that it is. Ignorance of the law is no excuse, it may bite them one day.

What a great thread. I'll be back later when I have time. :-)

I can jump in on this one! About ten years ago I was awarded a solo art show at a community gallery. A lady walks up to me with a guy and exclaims, "This is my son-in-law, Rob. He's a real photographer!" I shot back, "Really? I'm so glad to hear that because fake photographers really suck!". Some people never cease to amaze. :-)

I was at a fair and one of the judges came round. She obviously didn't like photograph. She saw my photo of 2 apples and commented that they didn't look realistic enough.

ROFLMAO Steven!

That is too funny Steven!! I swear some people are so bound and determined to be negative that they can't even get out of their own way!!

One of the comments about my works i overheard and enjoyed was, " This guy needs psychological help"...

One of my favorites is "You draw/paint really good, you should be an artist!!" lol

@Ed, I literally chuckled when I just read your post!!

Yeah me too Shana... it made my day.

Now THAT was a funny post Steven!!!!!