Advice sought.

[Nigel Meaby]

I've received a request for permission to use one of my photo's by someone via Flickr. His name is Anu Garg see here: http://wordsmith.org/anu/resume.html

and he wants to use it in a presentation at http://nwfreethoughtalliance.org/

I'm happy for him to use my photo but should I let him use it for free? What would you do if you were in my shoes?

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4025/4398758336_7ef2c6d8c7_z.jpg?zz=1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nigel_meaby/4398758336/) Rishikesh (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nigel_meaby/4398758336/) by Nigel_Meaby (http://www.flickr.com/people/nigel_meaby/), on Flickr

[helenhill]

well it All depends Nigel on how important the Monetary Issue is for You

I would expect that You should Receive /Request
a Proper Credit for that Photo
that would not only show Your Name
But website and how to Contact You

Very Cool ... Congrats !

[gdi]

I'd let him use it for free - ask for credit as Helen suggests - just because he was decent enough to ask first.

Nice shot...

[Bill Clark]

Suggestion: Hope you have a signed model release?

Just thought I'd mention.

[thegman]

Unless you really need the pennies, I'd let him use for free. Nice shot BTW.

[Nigel Meaby]

Thanks all for the input. Dear Helen I hope you are back on your feet and shooting with the same fluidity as before your recent run of bad luck. :)

Bill I really don't think that is necessary for a presentation and anyway the picture was taken in a public place in India with the guys full consent.

As the guy who wants to use it is quite high profile and probably not short of a few dollars I'll request he makes a small donation to a good cause of his choice, in India, in exchange for using the image.

[daveleo]

". . . . As the guy who wants to use it is quite high profile and probably not short of a few dollars I'll request he makes a small donation to a good cause of his choice, in India, in exchange for using the image."


An excellent solution !

[Teuthida]

I'd let him use it for free - ask for credit as Helen suggests - just because he was decent enough to ask first..

Plus one..........

[steelydam]

I've been asked for permission to use images I have on Flickr before and did grant permission without request for money. I definitely always want to be credited and receive a copy of the presentation/dissertation/journal article etc. when it's complete so I maintain contact with the user by email.

If the user was going to make significant money off my photo(s) somehow, or if I made my living from photography I would have a different opinion on the subject.

[Peter Wijninga]

"Always get paid. Never give your work away for free. People will never value something that is free". An entirely old school approach.

I've had a few requests like that. As long as it is for use in a non-profit environment, I always agree.

[Bike Tourist]

Suggestion: Hope you have a signed model release?

Just thought I'd mention.

You don't need a model release. This photo is editorial in nature and it sounds as though it will be used editorially, to illustrate a lecture.

If you sold it to an ad agency to promote tourism, that would be another matter.

[alistair.o]

Thanks all for the input. Dear Helen I hope you are back on your feet and shooting with the same fluidity as before your recent run of bad luck. :)

Bill I really don't think that is necessary for a presentation and anyway the picture was taken in a public place in India with the guys full consent.

As the guy who wants to use it is quite high profile and probably not short of a few dollars I'll request he makes a small donation to a good cause of his choice, in India, in exchange for using the image.

Congratulations. Well done for the picture and the reasoned 'quid pro quo'.

Keep us posted.

Alistair

[drewbarb]

For me it comes down to usage. What do they want your image for, and how will it be used? If it's to benefit a good cause that will help people, especially those in need, I'll usually let them use it for free. If it's a business venture of some sort, or could otherwise help someone else profit, I charge usage fees. I agree with the comments about always charging and that people don't value something they get for free; but there are situations where charging to use your images isn't a good idea- like when a good charity whose mission you support approaches you to use an image. Always think about how your images will be used and how that will reflect upon you.