Is This The End of Photography?

[treeman]

I think you are missing the point... whether or not it effects you is just going to be down to whether or not something similar to what they might commission you to do is readily available to steal.

Sure if your commission is to take a photo of something that doesn't exist, then great, but this is a licence to try theft first, then resort to having to pay for it.

You might think that doesn't effect you, but it will because a lot of people will take a lesser product for free... check out all the people who watch crap camcorder copies of films vs buying DVD's or paying for cinema tickets...

I don't think I'm missing the point because you've essentially agreed with what I've said. If you're shooting something specific for someone, then this Bill will make little difference. And everything I shoot is because someone has asked and paid me to do it. And because the image they're after doesn't exist on the net. After that I really couldn't care less who does what with it, I've got my money, I'm outa here

The "Elephant in the room" in this debate, is that Togs are in part to blame for the present situation by posting high quality pics all over the net. If there were no decent pictures out there, no one would be able to steal them, and people would have to commission a Tog again, simples.

Don't get me wrong I think the Bill is stupid and certainly isn't going to help Togs, but it will not be the end of photography, as the OP asked. As I said earlier things will change and people will lose jobs, but that's the same in any industry. Believe me I know, I come from a farming family, the message is the same to togs as it is to farmers, diversify or die.

 

[desantnik]

The "Elephant in the room" in this debate, is that Togs are in part to blame for the present situation by posting high quality pics all over the net. If there were no decent pictures out there, no one would be able to steal them, and people would have to commission a Tog again, simples.

Well, yes, the rise of the "gifted amateur" equipped with digital kit has kicked the backside out of what photography used to be... doubly so when their work has somewhere like the internet to be stored on.