kerry fletcher photography

I have my website set up "hands free". The purchaser gets their photo sent

directly from my lab without me having to deal with any paperwork, phone calls,

money, etc. Should I put a small digital signature on my photos, or just leave

them without a signature? The back automatically has a copyright notice

printed on it.

So, what is copyrighted? If I took a photo of my daughter's collection of

stuffed animals, would that be copyrighted? What about a car? A street scene

with a McDonalds restaurant?

 

I am wanting to sell my photos as artwork, not to be used in advertising. No

distinguishable people, just landscapes, animals, plants, etc. Are there any

other subjects to be avoided as to not get in trouble legally?

I have done this before and did not give any money donation back to the school except photo rights to be used in the yearbook and for publicity. They were very grateful.

Why do several people who think ratings are stupid and say not to look at ratings rate others?

So, here is my personal rating scale

 

Aesthetics

1= What is that and why are you wasting my time with a blurry nothing of a photo?

2 = A photo I would have thrown away, but someone else at the same place might have snapped a decent photo.

3 = Average photo not completely in focus. Kinda boring, but has potential

4 =The nicest photo my mother (not a photographer) might take with her disposable camera in a year's worth of shooting. It is in focus, but not thrilling.

5 = A nice photo. Composition is nice, but doesn't hold my attention.

6 = A really nice photo that holds my attention for about 5 seconds.

7 = An exceptional photo that holds my attention for more than 5 seconds. I take the time to really examine the work and admire the skill and/or beauty.

 

Originality

1 = why are you wasting my time? probably also a 1 on aesthetics.

2 = something I have seen a million times, but this one is one of the worst examples (flower, pet, kid, etc)

3 = something I have seen a million times done in the same way

4 = something I have seen a few times

5 = kinda unique

6 = pretty unique, never seen done this way before

7 = extremely unique, never seen done before and done well

 

Am I out of sync, or is this how others rate also?

Back on topic.....if the ratings tutorial page could be more descriptive and give examples of what is appropriate for each category, then the ratings could be more accurate. Yes, some people think that ratings are stupid, but others are actually curious and would like to learn something from the ratings. I just wish there were an accurate scale on which to rate.

I use ratings to see how my feelings towards my photo corresponds with others feelings towards my photos. If I really like something, but others don't, then I want to re-examine my work to see if I can figure out (since feedback is usually not left) why others do not like it. If I think my work is just OK, but it gets high marks, I would want to re-examing my work to see why others like it. Its all about becoming a better photographer and seeing what "the masses" finds attractive or unattractive(even if I don't) which helps with sales. I may get 2 critiques, but 20 ratings. The more the better because it gives me a more balanced rating (the 7s balance out the 1s).

I know there have been alot of discussions about the rating system, however no

solutions. Perhaps the first thing to try is to be more descriptive on

the "ratings tutorial" page. The page says what 1 and 7 are, but that page

should describe what "4" is.

 

I personally have had photos that are (IMHO) unique and receive a 2 for

originality, then notice a photo of the inside of a red rose (done a million

times) that receives a 6 for originality?!?!?!