Interview | Experienced Advice from Laura Warfield

 ”I always say the day that I say that's it, that’s the perfect photo, then that will be the last photo I ever take. Of course that will never happen!” The person who said this amazing quote was Laura Warfield. She is a well-known photographer from California that agreed to answer some questions I had for her to help me and other photography beginners! She began her love for photography in 8^th grade when she received a Kodak camera and Chukka boots for Christmas. She has upgraded her camera since then, first in high school to a Canon and has been a Canon lover ever since, now with a Rebel T2i.

            Warfield does various kinds of photography including: real estate and architecture, portraits, fashion, abstracts, equine, and landscapes. She has photographed the children of celebrities and Hollywood actors as well as actors, stuntmen, models, etc. People are her favorite thing to photograph and she explained that “there is nothing on earth more incredible than the human spirit and I strive to capture a little of each person’s essence in my photography.” She does sometimes get burned out on one area of study, then simply returns to a past or new one; however, she never fails to be photographing something or someone.

            She has many words of advice for budding photographers. She began by encouraging them to read anything that has to do with photography, art, and mainly composition so it becomes instinctive. A practice technique that we have in common is to think about how you would photograph something, even the most boring of subjects. This can be seen as a game and helps to train your eye as a photographer. She also recommends continuously studying, researching, and watching light until that becomes second nature as well. She also said that it is not about the camera, it’s about the eye, keeping your equipment to a minimum is important as well as training your eye and finding your own personal style. “Having an eye always trumps technical ability and gear,” said Warfield.

            She also recommends beginners to do their best to “learn to use your camera in such a way that it is an extension of you. Be so familiar with it that you never have to think about the controls, you shoot naturally and instinctively.” This is something that is difficult to do and takes time, but when it happens, it’s amazing. She also said that if she was told she was going to fall in love with photography when she began in eighth grade, she would have never believed it. Now, 42 years later, she is still in love with it just as much and still finds ways to challenge herself just to improve her own skills and that is what a beginning photographer solely needs, dedication and commitment.

            

 

Ethics | Copyright in Photography

       Many people who have purchased photos from a professional photographer believe that when they do so, they can do whatever they like with the photos. This is false. The consumer does not purchase the copyright of their photo when they purchase prints of their photos unless they specifically get a legal release. Illegally using a photo definitely hinders the photographer’s profits and livelihood, which is why copyright is an important issue to learn about as a photographer and a customer. Always remember that you need to purchase the copyright release in order to own your photos.

Copyright protects an author’s works from creation, with or without the photographer going to the Copyright Office. Photographer’s copyright gives them permission to copy the photos, distribute the photos, publicly perform or display the photos, and to edit the photos as stated in the Federal Copyright Act of 1976 (KODAK).

The law used to be that when a photographer sells someone their photos, the consumer can then do whatever they would like with them. Since 1979, that rule has been changed and the photographer still owns the copyright to the photos; therefore, the consumer may not copy or print other photos from the purchased photos (KODAK). The photographer holds control of the copy making because it is indeed a “property right” (Understanding).

Many people wonder why this is even a big deal to people and why photographers make a big deal out of it. The answer is simply, economics (KODAK). When a consumer prints off multiples of their photos at home, the photographer is losing the income that they were planning on making off of those photos. Some photographers advise the customer to print their own photos; however, this cannot be done without giving the consumer the proper consent form in order for the printing company to dismiss the copyright issue. Photographers want control over how the prints turn out as well due to the fact that their name is associated with the photos (KODAK). If the photos turn out poorly, an onlooker may believe that that is the product of the photographer, making them unlikely to use their resources.

“Even small levels of infringement-copying a photo without permission-can have a devastating impact on a photographer’s ability to make a living” and can have serious consequences like civil or criminal charges (Understanding). If someone is wanting additional copies of their photos for any reason, the most responsible way of doing it is just simply asking the photographer and working with them. Many photographers are kind people who will work with people on pricing for the simple fact that they did not copyright.

In conclusion, copyright issues are everywhere and are especially in the photography world. Please remember that if you purchase prints, it doesn’t always necessarily mean that you own the copyright to them as well. As a photographer, I ask you to remind your friends and family to just simply ask your photographer for permission and that it is stated to do so in the federal copyright law, “Even ordinary family photos” (KODAK).

 

To read more about this topic, check out:

"KODAK: Copyright Guidelines." KODAK: Copyright Guidelines. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Apr.             2015.

"Understanding Photographic Copyright | PPA." Understanding Photographic Copyright            | PPA. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2015.

"U.S. Copyright Office - Registration of Published Photographs." U.S. Copyright Office -             Registration of Published Photographs. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2015.

 

Introduction | Meet Me & My Favorites.

Hey! I am Bri Haines. To begin with, I am a Communication Arts student with three jobs, including my photography. There’s not much to say about me other than the facts that I love: taking photographs, earning money, eating tasty food, listening to various genres of music, playing and teaching soccer, and spending time with my family and friends (my most photographed subjects.

I have two sisters, me being the dreadful middle child. My oldest sister is Brittany. She has a cute little family that I use in my photography often. My younger sister, Brandy, is almost seventeen and will be my senior model here pretty soon.

My older sister, Brittany, and her family

 

My younger sister, Brandy, modeling for me

My parents are pretty awesome, to say the least. My dad is a former marine and trust me, you can tell. He has a hardcore demeanor, but a soft side that shows whenever he sees a furry animal without a home. He is the reason for my love of photography. My mother is a blessing. She cleans the house on a, sort of, regular basis, and keeps us kids fed and sheltered. I'm not allowed to photograph them as often as I'd like.

In addition, I have an amazing boyfriend named Seth, We are going strong at over two years. I’ll make this easy.. just think of all of the sweet, heartfelt, gushy things I could possibly say right here, and they would all be true. Honestly, he’s the greatest thing since sliced bread.

The last member of my little immediate family would be my Valentine’s gift of 2014, Grizzly. He is my German Shepherd giant. He is the greatest dog I have ever had, not counting the fact that he is the only dog I have ever had. He's also another one of my models, but isn't a very good one due to his rambunctiousness.

           I also photograph my best friend, Keri, often. We have been friends since about second grade. She’s definitely someone important in my life. I am her maid of honor, for pete’s sake! We also won the “best friend” superlative in high school, so that means something, right?



Keri and her fiancé, Tim



Grizzly Bear when he was a puppy

This is just the background of my life and many of my photography models and supporters. I will be focusing on my photography more later.