The importance of the use of images and audio-visual in today's world of social media cannot be understated.
Facebook is said to have seen over 25 billion photos uploaded - and counting! The old phrase 'a picture is worth a thousand words' really is an invaluable one. Photos can be treasured memories of a special occasion or an historical event of mass importance. Photos can help in the explanation of an idea or theory, particularly important when the creator of the information will not be there in person, rather like the 'meme' seen in Reader 1. Photos are especially notable in the use of advertising and as a self-employed performer, that is precisely what you need to do. Self-advertise. Greater care must be exercised when working with children or vulnerable adults if the photos to be used contain these groups of individuals.
I have included the URL links to some photographs I have created on an Instagram account. The pictures are a mixture of my head shot portfolio (copyright (C) Jennie Scott) which I use constantly in the application for auditions. Whether an individual be a singer, dancer, or actor, they should possess a set of images that depict themselves in a favourable but accurate light. Spotlight and Casting-call Pro websites will always display a photograph of the individual in an online CV format, but these should look like the person in reality, for obvious reasons! The rest of the photos contained on the Instagram account are from my teaching employment at a youth theatre school. I went to great lengths to ensure I did this ethically. First of all, the principal of the school obtained written permission from parents of the children in order to be able to photograph them. As she had taken the photos and therefore had the rights to them, I had to ask her permission to be able to submit them for use in this task. I specifically chose photographs that show the pupils from a distance, with no 'head on' shots or featured individuals. However, as an extra precaution, Instagram allows the editing of photographs and as such, I have ensured that I have blurred all of the photographs.
I'd be very interested to hear what people think! Thanks :)
Hi Pip,
ReplyDeleteI think you've managed to do a great job with you pictures and the editing tools on Instagram have been really useful to you. It takes a great amount of effort to firstly obtain permission to take photos and secondly to publish them on an Internet site, even if only for personal marketing or educational use. It is essential to have a sense or trust between yourself, your employer and also the children's parents or guardians in order to obtain such permissions which you clearly have :D
I was unaware of the tools you used on Instagram to blur faces and edit photos, this may be very useful to me as I am In quite a similar position to you, as with working with young Children and needing the required permissions.
:D x
Hi Pip,
ReplyDeleteI was also unaware that you could edit your pictures. I have chosen to use flickr and I'm unsure as to whether they have the same facility, it is a great idea and I am going to do some investigating to see if I can do the same.
I agree with your post about the delicacy involved in using images of other people especially children, and your class pictures are lovley. The dance school where I work also obtain written permission to use photos of the children, however as this was for my own development I felt further expiation was needed. I wrote a short letter to the parents, explaining how and why I would be using the photographs and I am just waiting for the response before I continue. I have also told the parents that I will print a copy of each picture to be left in reception so they can see for themselves the pictures I will be uploading. Just a precaution but I feel you can't be careful enough also I am hoping the parents will appreciate me divulging how I am using there child's image. x