by Jon Lackman | 16 August 2010 | Books
In a recent column titled “Don’t do Art History,” Mary Beard explains why she spends untold hours hunting down images and permissions for her books:
The money is one thing, but when you start to calculate just how long it takes to find a picture that you are allowed (for fee or not) to reprint, at the right level of resolution, and showing more or less what you want it to show — well, my estimate is that you are looking at one day per image … [T]he editorial rules, as usual, expressly forbid just scanning one from another book; and almost anything on the web already does have enough DPI … You start to love those electronic archives that offer free, publishable out of copyright images; and you look especially keenly at old out of copyright books with clear plans and line drawings. But even that is not hassle-free … The next thing I write is going to have NO pictures.
I know what Mary is referring to, but what does that have to do with Art History per se?
There is definitely something hugely broken with imaging rights.
As much as having a book with no pictures would be easier – it would also make something considerably less appealing to many.
I was going to do a post on this because I have similar problems; although with me it’s not so much about tracking down the image- more about chasing people up in museums, orgs that hold the image rights.That can be frustrating and time-consuming.
Little did I know that an art history career wasn’t about coming up with original research, but negotiating the mine field of publishers, copy right agencies and other wolves lurking in the forest.
Can’t help thinking this is all wired up wrong.
David
The print publishing industry as a whole is widely joked as still as stuck in the distant past.
I imagine Mary Beard was being flippant with her blog post title, but this really affects everyone, not just Art Historians. I imagine writers, legal types and publishers should work together towards a more robust solution to suit the modern publishing climate. The EFF.org exists to outline and protect bloggers, surely writers and academics have a similar body they can call upon to affect change in this area? If such a body doesn’t exist – then people need to stop lamenting and start the ball rolling on it. Waiting for the publishing industry to make the first move is no going to happen!
H
Mine is due out this fall from a major univ press — my budget around $8000 for images, fees, permissions, fed ex. Contracts with museums, VAGA, ARS. In one case, 16 mos. to receive important rights. Careless editing and frustrating communication. If I had realized, I wouldn’t have. I agree; next book no images. But also one step further — straight to Kindle!
Question:if reproducing text for the purpose of criticism is protected as “fair use”, why does a similar protection not exist for images?
I have been reading Susan Bielstein’s book, Permissions: A Survival Guide. Incredibly useful, and not (often?) taught in graduate school.
http://www.press.uchicago.edu/presssite/metadata.epl?isbn=9780226046372