A lesson learned from my own workshop, and a message for 'Chris' the Pirate Hater.

 The disputed image - Gio under the waterfall at Bagni San Filippo

The other day I received an email from a former workshop student. The message was in reference to an image I had on my website (a version of the image above) and the student was asking why I had put my copyright info on his image and used it in my portfolio.

I was a bit surprised because I clearly remember taking the image myself and I would certainly never knowingly take credit for someone else’s image. As soon as I was able, I got on my computer, reviewed the metadata and the date/time stamps of the image and I verified that I had many similar images from the same sequence. The images were taken by my camera as verified by the embedded serial number and camera information.

I reported my findings back to the student, who, naturally, found it difficult to accept that he could have some of my images on his computer. I do not think anything untoward happened, I recalled borrowing a memory card that day and I assume that when I returned the card, it may still have had my images on it.

Honestly, I don’t know for sure, it’s a complete guess how he got them and frankly, it is totally irrelevant to this post. I don’t think he stole my images and I certainly did not steal his, it was just a simple case of mistaken attribution.

Unfortunately, during our back and forth emails trying to sort this out, I received the following email message from another party:

Why would any photographer copy another photographers work and tag it as their own? Just how many stolen photographs do you have in your portfolio?

Chris…

I don’t know ‘Chris’. The contact info he provided was just a fake number and a fake email. Chris, if you are reading this, it’s really easy to make accusations, false accusations in this case, without knowing all the facts. However, in this case, you made a very wrong assumption, and made no attempt to ascertain the facts.

I don’t take such accusations lightly. I have never copied someone’s work and claimed it as my own. It makes my blood boil that some nameless, faceless person may be shredding my good reputation without the facts or truth of the situation.

However, this episode certainly brings to light an important lesson if you are attending a workshop. Be sure you take care to guard and protect your images.

If you borrow a memory card from someone, be sure to format the card before using it and after you are finished with it. Do not let anyone copy your RAW files. If your camera allows you to enter copyright information, be sure it is entered so all of your images are copyrighted upon creation, with your name and any other relevant data. Take all steps necessary to ensure you have your work properly organized and verified. 

In the end, I know these images were mine. It was never really a question for me, I remember many details about that day and this shooting sequence in particular. In fact, I can recall many details about most of my shoots, they are burned into my brain. However, because of some carelessness or sloppy handling of a memory card, I have so far spent several hours trying to collect proof that these were my images. That’s time I could have been doing something much more enjoyable and constructive.

Models for Tuscany Workshops 2011

Apocalyptic Sunshine, 2010, Pienza, Italy. Taken at an abandoned terra cotta factory. Model: Colleen D.

A quick note to let everyone know that my Amore Toscana fine art nude workshops in Tuscany, Italy are nearly sold out. We are now considering adding new dates, so if you are interested in attending, please let us know as soon as possible

I am really excited to have these great models joining us this year:

July 3-9, 2011

Ulorin Vex 

Zoi Gorman 

Toyin  *Updated 15. Feb 2011*

July 10-16, 2011

Ulorin Vex

Ruby Slate Balthazar 

Anita de Bauch  *Updated 15. Feb 2011*

As we finalize discussions and confirm other models we will update this listing.

Image Notes:

This image reminds me of the chaos in our daily lives. It was taken rather quickly during my Amore Toscana 2010 fine art nude workshops. I borrowed the model for this quick shot in-between student shooting sessions. The timing was perfect as the sun was setting on the horizon. I feel that her expression helps to underscore the sense of confusion and lost feeling that I wanted in this setting. Her pose gives the impression that she is protectively shielding herself from the invading light. In post-processing, I used a cross-processing technique to give the image an alien color tone.

Model Confirmations for my Tuscany Fine Art Nudes Workshops

I am really pleased to announce that I have confirmed the following models for my Tuscany fine art nude photography workshops in June. 

LIGHT, FORM & EXPRESSION  June 20 - June 26

Confirmed Models include:
Iveta Niklova
Colleen Deary

CULTIVATING A UNIQUE STYLE  June 27 - July 3

Confirmed Models include: 
Giorgia
Magena Yama
Carole

Some info:

Carole and Giorgia joined us last year. These two Italian ladies are a complete joy to work with. Carole is precocious and flirty, Giorgia is sensual and seductive, and both of them are very experienced nude art models.

Another model I have worked with many times, Iveta Niklova, will join us from the UK. I cannot say enough about Iveta, she is supremely professional, completely natural and absolutely gorgeous. 

Colleen Deary, also from the UK, will bring her unique look to Tuscany. I have not yet had the pleasure of working with Colleen, but I have heard so many great things about her that I could not pass up the possibility to include her in this workshop.

Magena Yama is another Italian model. She has more experienced in fine art fetish and bondage modeling, which will help give our second week an added dimension. I am really looking forward to working with her in Tuscany.

So, very briefly, that is our partial lineup of models. As we confirm additional student bookings I will announce more models. There are quite a few model applications waiting for my reply, so if you are interested in joining our workshop, please signup soon.

Great photography workshops - a recommendation

Philippe Wiget is not only my studio partner, but he is a great friend and an amazingly talented wedding photographer. Check out his blog post where he talks about his own workshop experiences and also says some very nice things about our upcoming Tuscany workshops. Here’s a small excerpt:

If you are looking for a workshop with a well established photographer that will take place at an amazing location and which will bring you a lot of inspiration, these are the workshops to choose among.

Thanks Philippe.

A review of our Tuscany workshops

Spaces are filling up and we are thrilled with all of the interest we have received for the 2010 Tuscany fine art nude photography workshops. We have received a lot of questions and while we can easily talk about the experience ourselves, it is always much more credible to hear it from someone else. In that spirit, I want to share a blog post from jLorenzo, who attended our 2009 Tuscany workshop.

I think this post gives you a good idea of what you can expect from my workshops. Above all, this is a photography workshop and we want you to come away from these few days with a new found interest and inspiration for your future photography work. However, Kellie and I also pride ourselves on our personal approach, attention to detail and in sharing our own Tuscan experiences with our guests. 

Read the post and if you still have questions, please let us know.

Kind regards,

Bryon