For this Sunday Morning Coffee discussion, I would like to complain a little bit! I would like to discuss individuals who call themselves artists, yet they steal the art or ideas of others to promote themselves. The soul and very essence of an artist is his or her creativity. The fact that so-called artists could capitialize off of the creativity of others is beyond my understanding. I recently had a few events occur that prompted this discussion, one of which I am going to discuss in detail. A fellow “self-proclaimed” photographer has recently been exposed by a photography forum that I belong to. Hoffman Photography in St. Louis, Missouri STOLE numerous other photographer’s images and created her own website and portfolio with them. I was recently informed that one of my images were used for one of her main pages. I was shocked and appauled! An individual who is supposed to use HER creativity and talent- steals someone elses and tries to pass is off as her own. Those who do this are not artists…..they are theives. Below is a screen capture of my image on HER website.
I am saddened not only for the NUMEROUS amazing photographers whose images have been stolen, but also for the clients of this lady who will be hiring this photographer based upon images that are not hers. There are other “artists” who aren’t as obvious- they do not steal actual images, but they steal ideas…..they steal the creativity of another artist. These individuals are eqaually at fault. I do suppose that those of us who are copied should be honored…..they do say that copying is the greatest form of flattery! Anyway, the point of the negative ranting is that people who live their lives claiming to be an artist- defined as artist: creative person whose work shows sensitivity and imagination- should either use their OWN creativity and imagination, or they should call themselves something else……like……expert imiators- or even something more generic….like copycats.
*****BY THE WAY….I promise that next week’s Sunday Morning Coffee will be WAY more cheerful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =) Have a great Sunday!!!!
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