John Coyle wrote: > Yes Malcolm, I have. I intend to donate a collection of > slides, negatives and memorabilia taken or collected in the > 1960's onwards to an institute set up to maintain an > historical archive of the location, and I have given them > free and clear copyright in my will. As regards your own > purchases, I think if, when you bought the pictures, the > seller gave you carte-blanche you would be entitled to rely > on that, and particularly where the user is a not-for-profit > organisation such as an historical society (no lawyer > comments please!).
It's nice to hear it's not just me with such an interest John. One of the many things I hear when speaking to various societies, is that everyone thinks someone else has bound to have taken pictures of the subject and realise too late that very few or no one has. > I think we should all be aware that as active photographers, > we will often be recording scenes that will soon no longer > exist or will reflect a society that has changed beyond > recognition (vide Shel's series of PAW's from the late > '60's). We therefore have almost a duty to ensure that our > (no doubt) grieving relatives don't bin all those old photos > that Grandad took! Yes indeed. It is surprising how many common street scenes and social practices change and are worth recording. I can remember when on Sunday mornings, Fathers were out washing cars. I don't know when that stopped now, but I rarely see it happen anymore. Also, all the changes in the high streets where the main family shopping was done, in the butcher, fish shop, grocer etc, where few survive due to the expansion and impact of the one stop supermarket chains. Fortunately, I have recorded many of these scenes which of course are no more - most of these shops are either fast food establishments or change of use to office or housing. It's not stunning photography by any measure (well mine aren't), but I do strongly believe it has it's own merit for recording both physical and social changes. Looking back only 10 years or so is interesting, some of the photographs I took in the early 70s are like looking at another country. Malcolm
