Today we bring you the first in a continuing series of articles written by some of our keen staff photographers.

It is every photographer’s goal when taking portraits: to show the subject’s soul.

Long ago, Lomography.com listed ‘8 Golden Rules of Lomography,’ rules which may very well apply to photography in general. Technically, they are labeled rules but to those who practice photography, they are more like guides to breaking the formulated rules in taking pictures — right composition, accurate lighting, sharpness, what-have-you’s. They focus more on enjoying the experience of shooting and capturing.

So let’s go with the non-rules.

Take your camera wherever you go. In the park, the flea market, your school, your office, your friend’s bridal shower, in the laundry shop — everywhere. As long as you have your camera in your hand, everything around you starts to have a different color and story about them that just craves to be captured on film.

Use it anytime — day and night. They say that the best times to take a photo is at dawn or at dusk because it offers fantastic lighting. But anytime of the day is just fine. Don’t worry about night photography for the darkness of the night has its own charms.

Photography is not interference in your life. On the contrary, it’s a significant and integral part of it. The results of your photography are wonderful signs that you are alive.

Try the shot from the hip. You don’t need to always look through the viewfinder to get a good picture. Have more freedom in terms of perspective and you just might be pleasantly surprised. Hand it up in the air or lower it down to the ground. No one’s stopping you!

Approach your objects as close as possible. One of the most striking photographic themes includes photos shot on macro. It’s great if your camera has a good macro feature, but if it doesn’t, who cares? Get close. People show more soul up-close, so does your pet, for instance.

Don’t think. Just shoot.

Be fast. Sometimes your money shot will only last a quarter of a second. Always be prepared to shoot and do it fast. Don’t worry about getting the right settings.

Don’t care about any rules. Actually forget about the rules. Discover your own kind of photography and define your own rules. Just do it, do it the way you want and do it now.

Do you follow any rules in your photography? Share it with us.

Many of our clients express confusion over the issue of copyright. We are often asked to print pictures onto canvas in situations where the ownership of copyright may not be clear. This quick introduction to copyright law is an attempt to answer many of the questions we receive.

The Basics

Copyright in Australia is governed by the Copyright Act (1968). In certain cases, a range of international treaties also apply.

The two most important things to remember are:

• Copyright applies to a photograph from the moment it is taken
• copyright lasts for the life of the creator plus 70 years

Do I have to put the copyright symbol on my work?

Under Australian law, you automatically receive copyright protection by virtue of being the person who created the work. That protection applies even when where you have not included a copyright notice with the work.

However, including a copyright symbol or wording will make it easier for you if you ever need to take someone to court for a copyright violation. If no mark can be found on the work, the court will first require that you prove that you are the rightful creator.

Who owns the copyright for family or wedding photos?

Generally, the person who created a photograph or artistic work is the owner of copyright. However s 35(5) of the Australian Copyright act creates an exception for photographs taken after the 30th of July 1998.

If the photograph has been commissioned for a "private or domestic" purpose - the person who paid for the photograph (or client) is the owner of the copyright unless otherwise agreed.

In this case, "private and domestic purposes" includes photos of children, weddings and/or family members.

However, it is important to remember two things:

1. If an agreement has been signed giving the photographer copyright ownership - the legislation will not apply.
2. Where a client commissions a photographer to produce a work for "private and domestic" purposes - the photographer may still be able to prevent you from using the work in other ways (i.e. commercially)

Things to remember if you planning to pay a photographer to take a picture

1. 1) Make sure you read any agreement carefully if you are planning on having a private photo taken. If you sign an agreement giving the photographer ownership over copyright - you will not be able to make any copies without their permission.

Things to remember for photographers:

1. Unless you have explicitly signed an agreement with your client - you may not be legally entitled to enforce copyright restrictions if the work was for ‘private and domestic purposes.’ This may still apply where the client has not yet paid you for your work.
2. However, even where you no longer own copyright you still have a range of ‘moral rights’ that can allow you to restrict certain uses of your artistic work.

Further resources:

The Australian Copyright Council has a great range of online fact sheets

For people wanting to make a detailed study you should examine the Copyright Act.