Nostalgic for Snow
February 19, 2023
Winter’s signs have been barely and rarely visible in northern Ohio this year. But in late January we had a spectacular display of snow. I caught some of the stuff in our neighborhood with the camera and am longing for its return even as I look forward to spring.
Beware, photography friends: Recently one of my photographs of a dumpster was stolen by Friederich Zettl, who manipulated it and called it his painting. Naming it Alice in Anotherland, he even wrote on his blog, “I started this painting with the idea of painting a menacing, destructive, real plane at the top (in a horizontal orientation) and an abstract world below (in a vertical orientation).” He removed the post after I wrote to him, but I still feel robbed. I hope this doesn’t happen to you.
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Romancing Reality 
Beautiful photographs, Linda. I hope you get another snowy opportunity this year. Sorry to hear about the photo theft.
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February 19, 2023 at 3:23 AM
Thank you, Jessica.
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February 19, 2023 at 1:46 PM
I certainly would welcome another good snowfall. The lakes are also quite behind with barely any ice cover this season. Wonderful explorations of our limited “winter” though.
It is quite violating when you discover something like that use and quite sad there are individuals who do it. Even more sad is the fact it is absolutely rampant and the more you look, the more you find. That’s why it’s important for artists to register their work, and use the legal weight of an attorney when necessary.
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February 19, 2023 at 5:43 AM
Given that we are both in relatively the same area of the country, Mark, your snowfall is my snowfall. And I hope we both get it. As I understand it, our work is copyright protected under U.S. law as soon as we publish it on our blogs or elsewhere. We don’t have to register our work for it to be protected. Perhaps the laws are different in Germany, where I think this person lives. But even if the laws are different elsewhere, surely few cultures support passing off someone else’s work as your own. Guess there are bad guys even among art bloggers.
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February 19, 2023 at 1:59 PM
You are correct, there are SOME protections upon creation, but generally to get any action by a court in the US or to be eligible for statutory damages, it must be registered. Germany does have copyright laws also, where US registration doesn’t matter as much. A German attorney would have to advise on the possibilities.
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February 19, 2023 at 2:18 PM
These first are beautiful in their loneliness, Linda. We may not see another snow, at least not enough to build a suitable canvas. Thank you for posting theses, they’re a feast.
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February 19, 2023 at 7:30 AM
Thank you, Joe. I can’t say that I felt lonely taking these photographs, but I was alone. I was surprised to see only one other person out enjoying the beauty. I took the first photo before I saw your Snowglyphs, but I hope it fits your idea.
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February 19, 2023 at 2:06 PM
How did you discover that someone had used one of your photographs without permission?
On a positive note, It’s good that you got to enjoy snowy winter scenes again. I hope the unusually low temperature didn’t cause any damage.
Your minimalist #5 and #6 recall some of Harry Callahan’s images.
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February 19, 2023 at 9:25 AM
I subscribed to that guy’s blog, and there it was. I have “unfollowed” him now, so I guess I won’t know if he does it again. No snow damage here, that I know of. Just gorgeousness. I’m a long-time admirer of Harry Callahan’s photography, so maybe it was his influence that I saw photos in those weeds.
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February 19, 2023 at 3:06 PM
I suppose public posting of photos is bound to attract bandits occasionally, although taking someone’s work without permission and calling it your own is despicable. At least he took it down in this case but only after he was caught. That said, there is a bright side to public posting. Years ago I found myself in downtown Rochester, NY and I took a photo of the Times Square building (specifically the “Wings of Progress” atop the building. I posted the photo and got a small but positive reaction from the followers. About a year later I got an email from an author who asked if he could have permission to publish the photo in a book about Wendell Castle (a local artist). Apparently, the “Wings” were a source of inspiration to Mr. Castle and he wanted to include a photo of the Wings. My asking price was a copy of the book. I almost forgot about it but about a year later I received a copy of the book in the mail. I didn’t get far in the book when I found a full-page reproduction of the photo (coffee table book size, mind you) on page 11. And it was beautifully reproduced (I sent him a high res file).
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February 19, 2023 at 11:57 AM
There is indeed a bright side to public posting. I love your story. I also love putting my photos out into the world and will not stop just because of this bad experience. And I love that so many photographers—including you—risk doing the same. It’s a pretty wonderful little community we have here, all things considered.
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February 19, 2023 at 3:10 PM
About your stolen image: that’s the one I hoped you could ‘print’ on metal for me. Clearly, it is a magnificent image. Still wondering if you’ve thought about making that one available to those willing to pay $.. like me. Terrible man!
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February 19, 2023 at 5:15 PM
I can’t print on metal myself, but I can have it done, Kathy. Will be in touch.
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February 19, 2023 at 7:11 PM
Fine set, Linda! Hope we get some snow here as well, this year.
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February 20, 2023 at 3:11 AM
Thanks, Harrie. Wishing you snow.
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February 20, 2023 at 1:10 PM
Oh, I envy each and every one of those snowy images, Linda. Our winter has been as you describe yours except that we only had one snowfall and that amounted to about two inches and disappeared in two days.
I’ve had a few people ask if they could use one of my images for painting, once in a painting class, and a couple of non-profit environmental groups to whom I gave my permission. I had once allowed a government agency for a trail through New England to use an image and a short time after that found out the he told someone at the Appalachian Mountain Club that they could use it for a related purpose. Bad, bad, bad. I contacted them, it was for a trail map of the same New England Trail, and the woman was totally embarrassed, let me name an amount which they paid me, and sent me a bunch of the maps including one rolled that I could wall mount if I wished. I was lucky. In most cases we don’t find out that our work has been used without permission. And many have the attitude that if it’s on the Internet it is fair game. But there are artists who follow through with attorneys with sometimes successful results. You were lucky that he took it down without argument. Often the person gets nasty.
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February 20, 2023 at 3:00 PM
Sorry I couldn’t loan you our snow, Steve; you would have made gorgeous photos with it on your way to work. No, he did not get nasty; only gave me one of those nonapologetic apologies. So I guess I was a little lucky. I’m glad your situation worked out.
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February 20, 2023 at 7:38 PM
Clearly, some online unpleasantness won’t stop you from doing beautiful things in the world and sharing them. All he had to do was contact you and ask, or at least credit you, but no. It’s sad. Moving on…what a fruitful day this was. I can sense your pleasure everywhere – in the snow-capped wildflowers, the laden branches, and even in the view of the bench, waiting for warmer days. The post moves from frame to frame beautifully. I like #4,5, & 6 very much. Especially in #9, 10 & 12, the quality of the water or ice is wonderful – so leaden and matte. #11 has a symphonic feeling, very sweetly rhythmic. #14 & 15 are beautifully composed. And the last image is a perfect ending. Thank you for stomping around in the snow and sharing the photographs! 🙂
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February 23, 2023 at 11:52 AM