Watching: Farewell, Etaoin Shrdlu

There's a ton unpack in this video. I recommend finding a comfortable spot to sit, relax, and watch the entire piece. Just let it all soak in.

The end of an era.
It was good while it lasted.
Crying won't help.

My favorite bit (13:39 in) is listening to a worker that's been in the printing industry for 26 years, and hearing him talk about the move to computers.

"I hate to see it. It's inevitable that we're going to go into computers. All the knowledge I've acquired over these 26 years, is all locked up in a little box now called a computer. And I think probably most jobs are going to end up the same way." "Do you think computers are a good idea in general?" "Oh there's no doubt about it, they're going to benefit everybody eventually. How long it will take I don't know."

While sad that something familiar and proven has given way to modern technology, it's very wise to see the inevitability of it.

Unsolicited Business Advice: Discounts are slowly killing your brand.

I try to share this every Black Friday but it bears repeating more frequently than that.

"The true value of a product is the least amount you’re willing to sell it for."

Look, I love discounts, but I’ve gotten burned so much in the past that if I’m ever in charge of a company and we’re questioning discounting our products, I won’t do it. Slow sales may be the problem but discounts aren’t the solution.

Bonus: If you’re looking to create some urgency in sales without resorting to discounting, check out seanwes tv 112.

Filson - 876 Broadway, New York

I recently attended the launch of the Filson New York Flagship Store and I must say, they have quite the space. It was a packed house as they offered free raw oysters, drinks, a rewaxing demo, and a build your own debossed leather keychain station. I also got to compare my Otter Green Logger Mesh Hat next to a brand new one. Maybe I’ll try my hand at rewaxing and bring some life back to it.

Among the usual gear you’d expect to see, they had a few items for sale from their Restoration Department. These are products that most likely have been sent in for repair or replacement and the customer opted for a replacement. I saw one jacket in particular that had some great “before” photos included in a small envelope on the tag. Very nice touch. And the jacket looked fantastic as well.

Nicely done Filson. I’m sure I’ll be back.

Watching: the Scared is scared

This is one of my most favorite videos ever so please give it your attention. Disclaimer: It may start off a little goofy, but trust me, it’s completely worth your time.

Items of Want 052

Flint and Tinder Ridge Shell

I’ve been searching for a solid shell that can handle the elements but not make it seem as if I’m headed on a multi-day backpacking trip, and I think this is it. To be honest, I really want the one in burnt orange but I’m not sure if I could pull it off.

James Brand the Benton LTD

James Brand offers a refreshing design on everything they make and I’d be more than thrilled to put this pen in my everyday carry rotation. And it looks like it comes with some awesome custom Field Notes notebooks. Those green pages for staple day…

XTRATUF Deck Boot

After an early Winter storm brought a ton of slush, I realized I desperately needed to up my boot game, as walking the dog with wet socks is no fun. To be fair, I guess technically he’s barefoot but we tried putting boots on him and he hated it. Long story short: I’m not as tough as my dog.

Olympia Provisions Grande Charcuterie Basket

The holidays are here and even though I enjoy my solitude, it’s the perfect time to get together with friends and family. This basket could really take that “together time” to the next level. And you know what would be extra awesome? Hiking this basket up to the top of a mountain and enjoying it at the summit. You’re sure to make some new friends at least.

klokers KLOK-01 - Desk&Pocket

klokers has really come up with an especially fun way of displaying the current time. And if you know me at all, you won’t be surprised that I love how this desk/pocket watch can easily become the main subject of show and tell. Once I get done parading it around the lecture circuit, I’d most likely leave it in my home office as a permanent timepiece on my desk. Truly an interesting take on displaying time.

— Check out past Items of Want —

Legality of Photographs

There’s been an interest lately concerning the legality of sharing photos on Unsplash and I’m looking for some help. And while you may question why I share my photos on Unsplash to begin with, I’ll get to that later. For now, I could really use your input if you’re knowledgable in this area.

Question 01: I’m trying to figure out if I need some sort of model, location, property, or trademark release (or some other release I’m not aware of) for 17 of my photos. To view the rest of my photos (that I feel are safe) visit my Unsplash profile page.

According to Section 5 of the Unsplash Terms page, it sounds like I should be free from legal ramifications: "Note that the Unsplash License does not include the right to use: A. Trademarks, logos, or brands that appear in Photos / B. People’s images if they are recognizable in the Photos / C. Works of art or authorship that appear in Photos

If you download photos with any of these depicted in them, you may need the permission of the brand owner of the brand or work of authorship or individual depending on how you use the Photo."

Question 02: What is my course of action once I’ve shared a photo on Unsplash but decide to delete the photo? Am I simply at risk for the rest of my life?

From the Unsplash FAQ: “Please note: When a photo is deleted from Unsplash, we will do everything we can to prevent its further distribution, including preventing it from being viewed and downloaded through Unsplash. However, the Unsplash License is irrevocable, so copies of the photo that were downloaded before deletion may still be used.“

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I haven’t asked a lawyer about it yet but photographer Zack Arias shared a video where he obtained this statement from attorney Carolyn E. Wright:

"Proceed with caution with dealing with Unsplash. Photographers who contribute photos there may find themselves in a lawsuit for a variety of reasons. While an end user clearly has the responsibility to secure permission for a commercial use of a photo of a recognizable person (as evidenced by a model release), stock agencies and photographers have been sued for right of privacy/right of publicity claims when posting and/or offering for licensing photos of people.

End users/publishers who use photos from Unsplash may be subject to liability and damages in several ways. For example, because copyright infringement is strict liability, publishers may infringe if the photos were uploaded and then used without the copyright owner's permission. Trademark owners may have a trademark infringement claim against the photographer and/or end user if the product photo causes confusion as to the source of the product or dilutes the trademark.

An attorney representing an aggrieved party likely will sue the publisher, Unsplash, and the photographer to increase odds of recovering damages for these claims. Therefore, the "free" element of Unsplash may ultimately cost you more than when using a traditional license model."

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So, if you could be so kind and offer your input in the comments, I would love to hear them. And please don’t be anonymous, it’s hard for me to hold your comment with any weight if I don’t know who you are.

And because the internet is full of people that love to argue, let me assure you that I’m not one of those people. I’m genuinely looking for some mentors in the field of photography.

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Photo 01

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Photo 02

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Photo 03

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Photo 04

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Photo 05

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Photo 06

A business in NYC that I’m photographing “into.”

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Photo 07

A friend’s arm. No model release.

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Photo 08

Flatiron Building

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Photo 09

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Photo 10

Golden Gate Bridge

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Photo 11

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Photo 12

Private property (photographed while staying at Airbnb)

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Photo 13

Private property (photographed while staying at Airbnb)

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Photo 14

Private property (photographed while staying at Airbnb)

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Photo 15

Private property as seen from a public road (Virginia).

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Photo 16

Private property as seen from a public road (Virginia).

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Photo 17

Santa Monica Beach

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What do you think? Do any, some, all of these need a release of some kind? Which numbers need which releases? Your help is greatly appreciated, not only by me, but by other amateur photographers looking for clarification.

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Bonus Content

Ok, it’s not really bonus content but it’s some info that I found useful that you may as well.

• Adobe Stock - Property Release Requirements

• Adobe Stock - Known Image Restrictions

• Photo Attorney - Property Releases Revisited