So.....say I happen to scan in a paper photo that I bought from a photo package and wanted to post it to my blog for family and friends to see. If I credit the photographer and even link their webpage to my blog (hello, advertising?!), would you still be pissed off, since technically that is against typical contract rules? (I did not receive/buy a digital low res image - I am not sure if they charge for that - I am guessing most photogs do).
These pics are through the daycare (they bring in different photogs throughout the year for holiday pics for the kids), so I never had any direct contact with the photographer - just turned in my "package" slip with a check to daycare.
Obviously, if they found it and asked me to take it down, I would gladly, but I figured all photogs are looking for advertising, and would rather allow me post it than take it down "per the rules"?
Re: Photographers - question
Without knowing the photographer or their contract I'd take a wild guess and say it's probably against that photographer's copyright policy to do that. If you know who the photographer is then I would contact them and ask if they have a web-ready (ie: watermarked, smaller file size) they'd be willing to send to you....or if you have the option of purchasing the original.
Most photographers are not going to be fans of you scanning the image. While you retain Z's adorable expression you will inherently lose image quality, color, etc. so in the end it's not really good for marketing.
I say contacting the photographer and asking for a web-ready file is your best bet.
You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be misquoted and used against you. My Blog
i agree. there are about 3,485 reasons a photographer doesn't want you to do this, and only one of them has anything to do with us making money off print sales.
your "marketing" is often not to the same standard as ours would be (branding and whatnot) and especially if a lot of people are going to see something... we usually like to keep control of the quality of what's out there. that's a big part of why many photographers don't sell digital files (or only do so at a very high price).
in addition, you could encounter a huge issue should that photographer decide to sue you for copyright infringement.
my photography blog
**hanging head**
Ok, ok - I emailed the photographer to see if they have a low res image available. You all guilted me into it! (in a good way!). lol. I will say, I agree with your analysis on things like the color - the scan didn't come out near a good as the print out, so I see your point.
ETA: You guys were right - she sent me a web-image with no problem, and actually thanked me for not scanning it! I think I was just afraid they would charge me (which would be understandable since it is "their" work). Thanks, girls!
my photography blog