Don't you love folks texting in your booth

8869157494?profile=originalI'm going to post 3 or four of these in my booth from now on. I don't know. This might be too subtle. I think they may need to illuminated and flashing on and off. maybe I could add sound ...

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  • Not a phone booth?  You'd kick Superman out when all he wants is a quick change?!  Come up with your own no phone sign, but make it Art !   "No cape, no phone!"  "No Kolchak - no camera!"  "You look surprisingly ________ for a paparazzi !  Here, let me featherdust that for you!"  Sorry, couldn't help myself, my inner clown is screaming . . . for coffee!

  • Alison ............Exactly what I do.  Be nice and polite and courteous .  Most people just don't realize what they are doing and how it affects others. Others are addicted to their machines and cant help themselves.  Taking a hard line approach will never lead to a sale and you could end up in a lot a trouble.  People do come back and buy and with  a previous courteous encounter they will be there as a friend. 

    Also any time a promoter tells you that you are on private property just because you rent a booth from them, just ask for verifcation in writing. ie due diligence.  I have never received one. I am therefore always careful of what I say and do. 

  • My pet peeve is someone is looking hard at a particular image and their phone rings.  They walk out of the booth for privacy and then don't come back.

  • My photos are under glass or clear warp.  I can't get a decent booth shot without sending it to Larry Berman to remove the glare.  I don't worry about the photo takers although I will say something nicely if I see someone taking pictures.  I've never had anyone give me a hard time about it.

    With the people catching up in front of the booth I usually try a little humor.  I ask them to come inside the booth and pretend to look at the work because people inside the booth makes it look popular and attracts more people.  I made a $1000.00 sale that way once.  At the very least it breaks up the inertia of the conversation and they realize what they are doing.

  • Certainly everyone hates people taking pictures or using their cell phones in the booth. Its just not polite.

    Hanging a No Photos sign is legal but its legal to just ignore in most places.  Then what is going to be your response?  Ringing bells or blasting a horn as some propose here is harassment.  I wouldn't do it.   The real problem is people lie.  By the time the police arrive, you threatened to shoot, kicked him in the leg, threw coffee in his face, and shoved him three times.  The police say it will be settled at the station.  Do you really need that?

    A skunk scent attack is possible.  I know of one slashed canopy attack. I have no fear that I will be hurt by someone taking a photo of my paintings. If I do see a copy for sale at the flea market for $4 I would just smile and walk on. Fighting any copy right infringement would not pay off finantally.

  • I have not experienced a lot of people just ducking in to look at their phones, or possibly I've missed it.  But it really hasn't been much of a problem.

    What I have a problem with, as others have, is those taking photos of my work, especially without buying anything.  My craft happens to be one where people make that often overheard declaration, 'I could do that.'  Yes, many could do it.  But I never know who that person is vs. the ones who are just taking a photo for admiration purposes.  I also have questions about 'how do you make these?'  I don't give details but will make vague responses such as using a couple water resistant inks and it's all done by hand.

    I know that refusing photo ops of my stuff will not keep them from finding it on the internet and using those photos.   However, I view my refusal like a lock on a door.  It won't keep a true burglar out but just slows them down some.

  • I have no problems with someone taking a picture of a piece of work to show it to their spouse, or for similar reasons. My "no photo" sign says "No photos without permission. Thank you.". And that's pretty much what I say to people. Many artists, particularly 3D folks, have no problem with people taking pictures of their stuff. Some artists do. The Winter Park Spring show does a great job of getting out ahead of the problem. They post signs at all the approaches to the show telling the public that photos without permission are prohibited. They also give each artist a sign they can post in each booth with the same message.  

  • A gentleman at a show last year got upset when someone was taking a photo of an item to send to someone to see if it would make a good gift for someone. It was a guy in his late teens or early twenty's. The exhibitor got upset and got into an argument with the patron. The patron left. The Exhibitor returned the next morning to find someone had spray painted a pretty rough image of a camera on the front of his canopy with an X through it and broke a bottle of what seemed to be skunk scent and through it under the canopy. I guess if your really that concerned about one individual copying your work, it would be best to stay home and protect it.

  • Copyright laws apply to the USE of the image not the TAKING of an image. I'm not aware of any place that has a law against the basic photography rule........That is you can take a picture of anything you want from a public place.  This includes people.  You don't even need their consent.  If its visible from the side walk its fair game.  You do not even have to explain why you are taking pictures. You can take legal action against threats, detention, trying to take your camera, or block your exit.

    The one legal issue here is people have a reasonable expectancy of privacy.  A picture in a bathroom or thru a window to a bedroom might be subject to legal action.  Claiming a place is private depends on one thing..... whose name is on the deed.

    If I had a problem with someone taking pictures in my booth and also was a confrontational type of person,  I would start checking state laws with a "real estate"  lawyer and not rely on what is presented here.  Don't end up in court or jail protecting what annoys you.

  • I did a little reading ... as of 1997, a commercial willful infringement of a copyright is a felony subject to a $250,000 fine and 5 years in prison. A non-commercial willful infringement is a misdemeanor subject to a $100,000 fine and one year in prison.

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