Author Archive
The Story Behind the Photograph: A Study of Rhythm and Feet No. 6
©2009 Kiffanie Stahle, A Study of Rhythm and Feet No. 6
This image was taken almost a year before this version came about. I took this image of The Polymers at Old Ironsides in Sacramento, California. For the few months prior to this, it had been a running joke between us that I wanted a photograph of their feet.When I first looked at the image, I liked the composition, but knew that it needed something to make it special. Almost a year later, I was riding home from school on my bike, and bam, I saw this processing in my head. I raced home and started working on it. A few hours later, I had processed the raw image to match my mental picture. I love how this image combines the gritty feel of film, with the modern elements of digital photographs.
Biscuits
©2011 Kiffanie Stahle, Biscuits.
I was intending on posting a different image today, but last night I attended the Lightbox SF Mixer at La Boutique. At one point I was having a conversation with Julie Michelle about some of the things that we both were seeking from the local artistic community. I mentioned that I would like a place where I could go and take work for critique. A place where I felt comfortable asking if an image really worked. Or a place that I could take a series to find out if the images worked together in the way I thought they did.
The image above is the type of image that I would take. There is something that I really like about the composition of the image, but for some reason I just don’t think it actually works, regardless of the treatment I give it. Which makes me think that something must be off in the composition. The black and white treatment above is my favorite so far, but I’m still unsure what I think about the image. So, my fellow readers, does it work?
Things I Fancy: August 10
- A few years back I heard Steve Martin play music at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. Ever since then I’ve been impressed by his range of talent. I didn’t have much time to read for fun while studying for the bar exam, but I did manage to read Steve Martin’s new novel, Object of Beauty. It was a delightful book made even better by the full-color reproductions of the artwork discussed in the book.
- The week of the bar exam I wanted to read a book that was light and hopefully that would make me laugh out loud. Luckily, after being on the waiting list for months, the library informed me that it was my turn to check out Tina Fey’s new book, Bossypants. It was the perfect antidote to the stressful week and easily satisfied my goal of making me laugh out loud.
- This week I whipped up a batch of sour cherry bam and slathered it over this easy bread. Delish!
- I saw these photographs today and they made me giggle. What can be better than a juxtaposition of vintage, jello, and deadly weapons?
Did anything strike your fancy this week? Please share in the comments below, I’m always looking for new sources of inspiration.
The Story Behind the Photograph: Doggie Love
© 2011 Kiffanie Stahle, Doggie Love.
I frequently get asked for the story behind certain images. Because this is a frequent request, each Monday I have decided to share a story behind one of my favorite photographs. This story, I shared a couple months ago in my monthly newsletter.
I captured this image back in February while I was out shooting in the Haight. Living in San Francisco, I come across so many interesting people walking down the street each day. I often make up stories for the people that I see reguarly and am curious how my stories compare to their real lives.
In a quest to learn more about the people around me, I’ve begun taking a few street portraits. This is something I’ve been wanting to try for more than a year, but up until recently my fear of how people would react has prevented me from starting this process.
This particular morning, while walking to the Haight I decided that I couldn’t go home until I had asked at least 5 people if I could photograph them. This lovely woman was the first person I asked that morning and even though it was her doggie’s feeding time, she graciously allowed me to take a couple photographs of her and her dog and learn a little about them. Her kindness buoyed my courage and allowed me to ask four more strangers if I could photograph them that morning. This photograph is my favorite of that morning, probably in large part to her kindness.
Doggie Love
© 2011 Kiffanie Stahle, Doggie Love.
This image I’ll be featuring at the 200 Yards third show opening at Free Gold Watch this Saturday. The opening will be from 6-10 pm, March 12. The story of this fun street portrait I told in my March monthly newsletter. If you haven’t subscribed yet, please do!
Things I Fancy: February 28
Sorry for the lack of posts this past week, most of the week I was down and out with the flu. I managed however, to collect a couple of items that stuck out through the fog of my sickness. I hope they strike your fancy too.
- Growing up my mom always carried around a day planner and her “book” kept our family organized. Over the course of my adult life, I’ve attempted many different versions of a planner. At this point, I have a collection of apps in my iPhone that I attempt to use for the various functions I would like a day planner to accomplish, but it’s clunky, scattered, and doesn’t totally fit my needs. This tutorial from iHanna about repurposing objects to create a custom day planner might just be the next method I attempt. (via Craft)
- For some reason I’ve always wanted a staghorn fern mounted on a wall in my apartment. Now thanks to Apartment Therapy I have instructions on how to create one. These instructions combined with some Wally Pockets would a very cool living wall.
- Lately I’ve been seeing jewelry tutorials that appear easy enough for me to attempt. This week another one popped up, a cute little necklace made from an old t-shirt. I pulled an old t-shirt out of my Goodwill pile and am going to attempt to make one of these this week.
Have you discovered anything this week that jumped out at you? Let me know below. I’m always looking for new sources of inspiration!
Things I Fancy: February 21
For much of this week San Francisco finally had to confront “winter.” Here are a couple of items that struck my fancy this week and kept me happy during the past week of rain:
- I recently was introduced to The Jealous Curator and this introduction has lead to another lady blog crush. Her blog is a collection of work, that in her words makes you think “Damn, I wish I thought of that.” This week she featured Tara Donovan whose installations made of common objects like buttons, styrofoam cups, and paper plates makes me jealous.
- The last few months I’ve been collecting a little bit of handmade jewelry but I’ve not attempted to make anything. I think these little string and paperclip earrings might be the perfect first attempt. (via Craft).
- Another blog that I regularly visit for art inspiration is my love for you. This week, Meighan featured Uri Korn’s new website. I got lost in the images on the site.
- Of course, my week would not be complete without coveting some sweet treat. This weekend I whipped up a batch of whole wheat chocolate chip skillet cookies and they were fantastic. The skillet cookie is perfect for those days when you crave a cookie, but don’t want to deal with shaping individual cookies (i.e. really lazy days). I ate these all weekend while finishing up a lovely little novel, The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova.
Have you discovered anything this week that jumped out at you? Let me know below. I’m always looking for new sources of inspiration!
Winter Summer II
©2011 Kiffanie Stahle, Winter Summer II.
Another iPhone capture of things that catch my eye. This time: the gorgeous weather we have been experiencing as of late here in San Francisco. My roommate and I have begun calling it “Winter Summer.” On Sunday, I went for a walk from my house in the Mission up to the Haight to once again try to capture some interesting photos to submit for Round 3 of the 200 Yards project. The weather was perfect and as I was returning home I stumbled across this view, I love how this image perfectly summarizes the good parts of this City: the hills, the weather, Muni, and the old buildings.
Hills Brothers Coffee
©2011 Kiffanie Stahle, Hills Brothers Coffee.
Another iPhone capture of things that catch my eye. This time: this lovely brick building down on the Embarcadero (yes I know I’ve been spending a lot of time down there lately). I like how this processing effect made the image look older than the present day (although there are lots of hints that we are in 2011 San Francisco).
Dali’s Continuing Legacy
Do you sell prints for more than $100? Do you sell limited edition prints? Then you should comply with the California Fine Prints Act when selling your prints. Passed in 1970, the California Fine Prints Act (Cal. Civ. Code §1740 et. seq.), reacted to the discovery of a series of high profile art frauds (particularly forged Dali prints). Provisions in the Act attempt to protect consumers from purchasing expensive fakes.
Do you sell your prints through a gallery/dealer? The law requires that art dealers provide a certificate of authenticity whenever selling a fine art print or multiple. Thus, if you are selling prints through a gallery or dealer, they will either require you to provide them with a certificate of authenticity or the information to create one, so they can present it upon sale.
Do you sell your prints on your website? While private artists are not required to comply with this law, best practices dictate providing a certificate to the buyer if you are selling limited editions or fine art prints for more than $100. Experienced collectors will expect these certificates. Additionally, in my opinion sending a certificate with the purchase is an easy way to increase the perceived value of you and your work in the eyes of the buyer.
What is required for compliance? The certificate of authenticity is simple and must include:
- Name of the artist
- If the print was personally signed by the artist, or if not, how the signature/artist’s name was affixed, and under whose authority
- Description of the medium or process for creating the print
- If the print was made pursuant to a photographic process (such as giclée)
- If the print was made from a master which produced a prior limited edition, or from a master that was itself made from a reproduction
- Year the print was made
- Whether the print is being offered as a limited edition, and if so, the authorized maximum number of: signed and numbered impressions, unsigned or unnumbered impressions, artist’s, publisher’s or other proofs; and the total size of the edition
What happens if you don’t comply? If you represent on the certificate the size of your print run and print more than that number, you could be liable for misrepresentation or fraud. Additionally, the art dealer is potentially on the hook for three times the purchase price if they fail to provide the certificate.
Bottom line: A gallery/dealer should request a certificate of authenticity anytime you sell your work through them. When selling directly to consumers providing a certificate of authenticity is an easy way to add perceived value to your work.
**The information on this website is for educational purposes only and does not purport to constitute legal advice. I am NOT an attorney, please seek legal assistance from a qualified professional in your area.**
Da Wharf
©2011 Kiffanie Stahle, Da Wharf.
Another iPhone capture of things that catch my eye. This time: this building that I found along the Embarcadero wharf the other day. I loved the ladder to nowhere and the pipes along the right hand edge. A little iPhone processing brought out the worn details in the building and I really like this image.
Things I Fancy: February 7
Just a couple of things that have stuck with me this week:
- This week I discovered the work of Pete Eckert, who appears to live in my hometown, Sacramento, CA. Pete began to lose his sight at 28, but still lives the life as a visual artist. Artists Wanted created a fantastic 4-minute documentary on Pete and his work.
- I haven’t canned anything in almost a month, but these preserved lemons sound like just the canning project for this week.
- As a law student, I’ve been intently following the lastest antics of Jeff Koons. If you are unaware, he attempted to sue a San Francisco gallery, Park Life, for selling ballon dog bookends, claiming that they infringed on his famous balloon dog sculpture. Well, this time the little guy won, as Koons is no longer pursuing the lawsuit.
- I know that I’ve been on a scoutiegirl kick as of late, but I must share her post about creativity is not a stop-gap with you all this week. This post really resonated with me, because it goes to the core of what I am trying to achieve this year, to be creative day in and day out. To make demands on myself (and my creative self) to create something daily, even if that creation is something small like an iPhone photo or dinner. (As a side note, I’d never heard of Dietrich Bonhoeffer prior to her post. He seems fascinating and I’ve added a book about him to my to-read list.)
Hope you all had a great week. Is there anything that struck your fancy this week? I’d love to hear.
Embarcadero Juxtaposition
©2011 Kiffanie Stahle, Embarcadero Juxtaposition.
Another iPhone capture of things that catch my eye. This time: this juxtaposition of old and new along the Embarcadero. The other day while walking down the Embarcadero I was noticing the layering effect that you get when looking towards downtown. In the distance, there are the shiny glass buildings of SOMA. While across the street there are old brick buildings. At points you also have the stark concrete of the Bay Bridge. At some points (including the one above) you get all three in one frame.
Bel Air
©2011 Kiffanie Stahle, Bel Air.
Another iPhone capture of things that catch my eye. This time: this shiny, vintage Bel Air that I ran across the other day in the Financial District. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a car this shiny and pretty.
Winter Summer
©2011 Kiffanie Stahle, Winter Summer.
Another iPhone capture of things that catch my eye. This time: a little corner of the San Francisco Mission. This week we in San Francisco have experienced one of the about 10 seasons we seem to have in this city, the winter summer. Sorry to all of you that have been bogged down with snow and rain, but this week we’ve had sunny skies and temperatures in the 60s. I went for a walk earlier this week to enjoy this lovely weather and liked how the blue sky contrasted with the yellow of the cross and with the white of the adobe.
Lone Glove
©2011 Kiffanie Stahle, Lone Glove.
Another iPhone capture of things that catch my eye. This time: a photograph that I took a few weeks ago, but somehow got lost in the shuffle. This lone, little glove was sliding around the light rail car last time I was visiting my family in Sacramento.
Things I Fancy: January 24
- I thought about participating in Jim Goldstein’s Best Photos of 2010, but didn’t have enough photographs from last year that I loved. However, I’ve really enjoyed looking through a couple of these each day. My three favorites so far: Pat Ulrich Photography, Sudheendra Kadri Photography, and John Fujimagari.
- Julie is a fantastic photographer and she lost her wallet last week. She wrote this lovely letter to the person who now has her wallet. I hope that if I ever loose my wallet I can have this kind of perspective on it.
- The throw that I currently have on my couch is a blanket that I got as a Christmas present when I was probably 10. It really needs to be replaced. This tutorial from Daisy Jane seems like a quick and easy way to make a new colorful throw for my couch.
- This semester I’ve been working at home two days a week. I’ve noticed that I’ll get distracted and forget to eat until I’m ravished at about 3:30 p.m. As of today, I’m setting an alert to remind me to eat, one of the great food suggestions in this article from the Bold Italic.
Golden Hour Reflection
©2011 Kiffanie Stahle, Golden Hour Reflection.
Another iPhone capture of things that catch my eye. This time: a reflection I found the other day while wandering down Market Street during the photographer’s favorite hour AKA “The Golden Hour.”
Vents
©2011 Kiffanie Stahle, Vents.
Another iPhone capture of things that catch my eye. This time: this row of vents along the side of the SF MOMA.
Benday Dots
©2011 Kiffanie Stahle, Benday Dots.
Another iPhone capture of things that catch my eye. This time: a closeup of an art installation I ran across on the Embarcadero the other day. I was in the middle of reading The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay and the dots reminded me of old school comic books.
Why Copyright?
If you want to know HOW to copyright your work, there are numerous resources out there. For example, a Google search for “how to copyright a photograph” resulted in more than 55 million hits. However, if you want to copyright your work in the United States the best go-to resource is the Copyright Office itself. They have developed several guides in non-legalese to help an artist register their work (including Copyright Basics, Make Sure Your Application Will Be Acceptable, and Copyright Registration for Works of Visual Arts).
Today however, I want to talk about a question that I think is equally important but less widely discussed: Why should you take the time and money to actually go about copyrighting your work? In my opinion, it boils down to a simple concept. You should copyright your work, because if someone uses your work improperly, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to be able to pursue a lawsuit against them without a copyright on that work.
The Copyright Act is designed to encourage artists to copyright their work. Thus, the Copyright Act itself gives two major benefits to those artists that file for a copyright.
- Attorneys Fees. The Copyright Act allows the court to award the winning party attorney’s fees, but ONLY if your work is registered with the Copyright Office. This provision is a huge benefit to an artist. Lawsuits are an expensive endeavor and most artists do not have the capital to take on an infringement lawsuit. This provision makes it possible for an artist whose work was infringed to find an attorney willing to take her case. Thus, making it possible for that artist to pursue action against the party who has used her work improperly.
- Statutory Damages. An infringement lawsuit has two phases. The first phase requires showing that the other party improperly used your work. If that is shown, then the second phase determines how much injury occurred because of the improper use. This second phase, is where the other major benefit comes into play. If you have registered your work, the law allows you to opt into statutory damages (ranging from $200-$150,000 per infringement). When selecting this option, you are not required to prove to the court how much you were injured. However, if your work is not registered with the Copyright Office, statutory damages are not an option, and you must prove to the court your injuries, which in most cases is very difficult to do.
As someone who is in school studying this system, I agree that there are flaws in the current copyright system. I hope that over the next decade Congress will make changes to this system to better support current technology. However, at this point in order to legally protect our work as artists, this is the system we must utilize and understand.
As a final note, I’m working on a post about the Creative Commons method of protecting your work and hope to publish it soon to expand on why I think that Creative Commons is no substitute for copyrighting your work.
**The information on this website is for educational purposes only and does not purport to constitute legal advice. I am NOT an attorney, please seek legal assistance from a qualified professional in your area.**
Lingering Christmas Lights
©2011 Kiffanie Stahle, Lingering Christmas Lights.
Another iPhone capture of things that catch my eye. This time: some lingering Christmas lights I found while walking to the grocery store last night. I much prefer this lingering piece of Christmas over the piles of discarded Christmas trees on every street corner in the neighborhood.