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how to use photo references without violating copyright
Hi, I'd like to use some celebrity photos as references for my art project. How can I do that without infringing any copyright?
First, it's important to understand the concept of fair use. This means you can use copyrighted work for criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research without asking for permission. However, it's subjective, and not all countries recognize it.
Alright. But how about creating artworks using celebrity images?
The safest way is perhaps to use a celebrity photo merely as a reference - to study the light and shadow, the angles, the colours, but not to directly copy it. Your artwork should be significantly transformed and original.
What if I want to sell my artwork later? Does it affect the copyright situation?
Selling your artwork can increase the risk of a copyright infringement claim. Any commercial use of copyrighted works increases the likelihood of infringement. It's best to seek legal advice before you sell any artwork based on copyrighted photos.
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