Dayton Show-Getting rubbed the wrong way

[mbevington]

I had two very odd encounters at the Dayton Show this weekend, both of these encounters rubbed me the wrong way and happened at two different times at the same table.
1 – This carver had a sign that stated no photography. I have no problem with this, if a carver does not want their carvings photographed then they do not want them photographed. I think everyone should ask if it is okay to photograph a carving before they take a picture. While standing at the table a man was about to take a picture and she asked him not to take a picture. He apologized and did not take a picture. Then at the same time a woman took a picture and went over to the person is was with and said, she said no pictures and I took one anyway. I was shocked that this woman said and did this.
2 – While back at the same table later the carver was talking to someone who told her she had a lot of great ideas. The carver then said that is why we do not let people take photos so they do not steal our ideas. This really rubbed me the wrong way because this carver has had her work published in books and magazines. If you don’t want people to get ideas from your work then maybe you should not publish your work.
Maybe this is just me but I had to get this off my chest, and this did not ruin my overall experience because I got to see some great carvings and meet some great people.

[Dull Knife]

Originally Posted by mbevington

I had two very odd encounters at the Dayton Show this weekend, both of these encounters rubbed me the wrong way and happened at two different times at the same table.
1 – This carver had a sign that stated no photography. I have no problem with this, if a carver does not want their carvings photographed then they do not want them photographed. I think everyone should ask if it is okay to photograph a carving before they take a picture. While standing at the table a man was about to take a picture and she asked him not to take a picture. He apologized and did not take a picture. Then at the same time a woman took a picture and went over to the person is was with and said, she said no pictures and I took one anyway. I was shocked that this woman said and did this.
2 – While back at the same table later the carver was talking to someone who told her she had a lot of great ideas. The carver then said that is why we do not let people take photos so they do not steal our ideas. This really rubbed me the wrong way because this carver has had her work published in books and magazines. If you don’t want people to get ideas from your work then maybe you should not publish your work.
Maybe this is just me but I had to get this off my chest, and this did not ruin my overall experience because I got to see some great carvings and meet some great people.

Ya, I agree....since she has had her carvings published in books and magazines, then why is she so adamant about people taking pictures??

Vewy, Vewy Stwange.....???

[mdallensr]

I always ask and have never been refused. If someone does refuse me, I'll honor their wishes. I know carvers who have had their original designs "borrowed" without their permission and reproduced as carvings others represented as their own. Just because you allow your work to be published in a magazine or book does not give others the right to reproduce your work without your permission. While many carvers exhibit in carving shows to share their work and ideas, many others are there to sell their carvings and depend on the income from those sales. They have a right to protect their original designs in a very tough marketplace. Mike

[BobD]

Especially since the two carvers you mention have had their work ripped off by unscrupulous people who send photos of their pieces overseas and mass produce their designs in resin. Obviously, the photos won't turn out perfect versions of the carvings, but the reproductions are still very close.

If that happened to me a couple of times, I'd start posting "No Photos" signs as well.

Bob

[Bill]

I always let people take pictures if they want, after I finish a piece I don't
think that I will ever try and carve another like it, so if they want to copy
it. 1. find a piece of wood like it. 2. spend about 300hrs reproducing it and it still won't be like the original.
I don't however share my ideas for a new piece, did that once and low
and behold, he took my idea and ran with it!!!!!!!
Bill

[Tom Ellis]

On the other end of the spectrum,, Thank the Good Lord for people like Lynn Doughty. I think the majority of carvers are more than willing to share.

Tom

[BobD]

That's the thing.... These carvers are sharing to a fault. They're more than willing to sit down and teach you everything they know, and they have written books and done many articles over the years...as well as spending half the year on the road teaching. They've been burned by NON-CARVERS who go to carving shows to get ideas for mass produced trinkets.

I can see why it would rub you the wrong way, but its worth trying to see from their perspective. Some people don't care if their work is mass produced in sold for a pittance at a large retailer, but some people do care.

Bob

[Just Carving]

If you think about it, there's really no reason to take a photo of someone's work--especially if they are published.

If they are showing their work, they're doing it for a reason. One would be to sell the work itself, or the books or magazines the work is in.

So, if you really like the work, and want one like it, the decent thing to do would either buy the work, or buy the magazine or book that the work is in.

It's the least a wood carver can do to support the world of starving wood carvers.

Bob L

[Tom-H]

The main reason that I take photos at the shows is to share the experience with friends who cannot get to the event.

Tom H

[mbevington]

Bob, I can see there side, I guess if I was burned then I might act the same way.
I guess as a carver I am there to see what is out there and to get ideas or inspiration for my own carvings. I'm not there to steal.