11 March, 2016 Celebrate The Small Things
Welcome to this lovely blog hop, started by VikLit, bless her!
Lexa Cain and her two wonderful co-hosts L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The Edge and Tonja Drecker @ Kidbits are presiding.
Check them out and be prepared to smile!
What am I celebrating? Well, changes, comings and goings. I spoke of Jesse James (my darling old dog) earlier. He’s left quite a hole in my household, but lots of smiles, as well. And it appears that we may be having a new little presence in a couple months in the form of a puppy. Jesse’s wisdom and humor linger. We learned a lot from him, and the puppy will benefit from the years we had him. Meanwhile, we’re remembering and smiling.
On another front, I am finishing two stories, a full-length novel set in Paris and a fable that I’ve mentioned before… Or, I will be once I start up again in April. I’ve been beta-reading (VERY enjoyable!) doing this and that.
And fiddling with things.
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| Large male saltwater crocodile, Australia |
Which brings me to my celebration. I have a cover nearly finished for the fable. I’ve posted a version of it before. It prominently features a magnificent crocodile that is a major force in the story. The photo I found was perfect… It had been printed in a newspaper. If you are using photographs or other images, you must, if you are honest, verify that they are in the public domain and, if not, secure a license to use them. As an amateur photographer, I understand what goes into taking what your eye sees and turning it into a work of art.
So, the crocodile. I searched for the photographer…and I finally found him. Or, rather, his name. I looked him up by name and located his website. At his website, I swallowed hard and took a deep breath.
The man was a superb photographer. He did work for the National Geographic Society. He was as good as Galen Rowell (if you know photography, you will know the name). I couldn’t possibly afford him.
But one must ask. I wrote to him, told him what I wanted the image for, explained how I had tracked him down, and inquired whether I might purchase a license to use the photograph. Knowing his quality and my budget, I also started looking at stock images…
And I received this response:
Hi Diana
Thanks for your enquiry. I can confirm that the image of the crocodile is one I took in 2005. The Courier Mail published it without my permission (which is far from unheard of). I have full copyright over the image however I preference how I license images depending on the status/capacity of the use, and the user etc.I would like to provide you use of this image as a courtesy, since I appreciate the demands on writers in bringing their work to completion. I also appreciate the obvious effort you have gone to contact me.
I have attached a higher res version of the image to assist you.
If you are able to publish your work it would be great to receive a copy.
Good luck.Kind Regards
Kerry
I looked at the image he had attached and reread the note. The book will be published and he will receive a copy as well as credit for the image.
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| (Stars are very important in the story) |
dianawilderjottings 
Diana,Your integrity in tracking down the photographer is evident; with the graciousness of the photographer equally gracious. Yes, writers must indeed do what you did.As a matter of fact, I always loved a blog masthead by a Canadian poet. So, for my “Nile Conspiracy” I, too, contacted him and asked, with the same beneficial result.New puppy, eh? That'll be the best remembrance to Jesse James – for you and for him.
What a wonderful response by the photographer! The crocodile looks great on your new cover. Cheers – Ellen
Hi Diana – that's impressive he was so generous to you … and how lovely people are so thoughtful. Still it must have impressed him – you'd done your research … Thanks for the info too on using images … cheers Hilary
Your images are always well done, Gracious Lady! And that poet sounds wonderful! (I do hope I'm up for a puppy. All cords and cables are going into PVC tubes ahead of arrival time…)
Thank you, Ellen! I remember watching a movie once (Enchanted April) where a character comments that it is important to allow someone to be kind. I'm glad I pursued the inquiry. And he was very kind!
Thank you, Hilary – in a money-making endeavor, like my book (I do hope *someone* will purchase it when it is published!) it is so very important to make certain your use of an image is correct. I am glad I did not give up on contacting him. And I am looking forward to an acknowledgment in the first pages and a letter to him thanking him and enclosing the book…
What a lovely response from the photographer and a great cover you've made with the image too.
That's awesome! I'm so glad your diligence paid off. I've been having some trouble locating the owners of some of the images I used too, but it's still a while before I have to choose the exact cover I'll use. Love your cover – and awesome the guy would like a copy of the book! Win-win! 🙂
Thanks, Kate – I couldn't believe how nice he was.
Hi, Lexa – I can't wait to see what the actual final cover for yours will be. They were all wonderful! (And thanks for stopping by!)
Oh, how awesome about that photograph! I had a similar experience with the cover picture we have on “Old Broads Waxing Poetic.” I tracked down the photographer, a fella in Italy, and he most graciously sent me a higher res copy, and his blessing to use it as a cover. I, too, sent him a copy of the book when it was published.
It is lovely to hear that your honesty and courtesy was rewarded by this kind individual and I am sure he will love seeing the cover of your book and his credit in it 🙂 Have a super weekend! Special Teaching at Pempi’s Palace
I do love that cover and the story behind it. And a puppy! It makes me smile just to think about him, or her.
Lovely cover. Congratulations on getting the picture
I loved that cover! (The collection wasn't shabby, either…) what a great story! Now I must read the book again.
If it's a her, she will be Nellie, for Eleanor Roosevelt. That photographer was wonderful.
What a great idea, Diana, and it paid off. The cover looks absolutely fantastic!