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Position:Home>Visual Arts> Drawing from a photo taken by someone else?Question: Drawing from a photo taken by someone else!? A lot of people consider photography as "fine art"!. However, a lot of people use photos as references when they draw a picture!.
My question is, if you use a photo, that doesn't belong to you, as a reference, would your drawing be considered an original or a copy!? Taken into consideration that photography is considered a fine art itself, and that the photo was taken by someone else!.Www@QuestionHome@Com Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: If you are drawing the photograph exactly, including all elements, even the background, and it's a professional photographer's photo, then I'd definitely recommend you get a release (permission) from the photographer to use the photo!. Photography is an art form, and the photographer should be respected as an artist, just as you would like to be respected!. If the photo is a candid photo and was taken by your client, and the client is the one asking you to draw from the photo, then of course you shouldn't have any issue resulting from the use of the photo!. I have heard that if the artwork resulting from the photo is at least 60% changed from the reference material, then there isn't a copyright problem (but I am not perfectly certain of the accuracy of that)!. Personally, I think photo-realism is an awesome form of art, but most of the time it is direct copy of the photo, so although I respect the skill required of that, there is already the photo, so what is the point!? I usually change many elements of the photo when I draw!. Most often, the background, but also I make changes so it's not obvious to the viewer that the drawing was done using a photo as reference -- for example, I often change the direction of the source light, and reflections in the eyes!. In photos taken with flash, the reflection is usually right in the middle of the eyes, I change it to be more to the side)Www@QuestionHome@Com If you take a photo of a photo of someone than its not original lol, but you are using your own abilities and creative skills to make your work look realistic!. I dont think it could be considered a copy, its an art of its own that not everyone could do!.Www@QuestionHome@Com If it is a reference, and you are drawing from it, I think the drawing is original since it is coming from your heart, mind and ability!.Www@QuestionHome@Com The drawing will be an original, unless a drawing was already made of the same picture!. Www@QuestionHome@Com |