This past week I heard from ASMP (American Society of media Photographers) National that two versions of the Orphan Works bill has been introduced - one in the House and one in the Senate. Photographers and artists alike have been fighting off this bill for a few years now. And it seems like the lead professional photography associations that have been working with folks on the hill - both ASMP and PPA - have given up to some degree stating that no matter how loudly we cry foul some version of this bill will be passed. They are just trying to limit the damage the bill can do from my understanding. If you are a photographer it is time to contact your senators and congress members.
Also, I found a very interesting article on the UK Editorial Photographers website by EPUK moderator Tony Sleep entitled Why the Orphan Works Act is Uncle Sam's thieves' charter that talks about the new bills in detail. It is very interesting to see just how much our own copyright legislation affects the rest of the world. Tony points out a lot of real world facts about copyright infringement that with the current laws that will be further strained if a version of this bill is passed. Stay tuned to ASMP, PPA, APA or EP for more information on how you can help defeat this bill.
Sierra Magazine Cover
Michael got the cover of the April 2008 issue of Sierra Magazine recently. The image (above) is a self portrait shot while mountain biking on the Red Dot trail near White Rock, New Mexico. The camera was mounted on the seat post with a special clamp that held the camera steady as I rode the singletrack trail.
Michael also shot an assignment for the April 2008 issue of Sierra which detailed the Building Bridges to the Outdoors Project which is sponsored by the Sierra Club and locally mentored in New Mexico by the Santa Fe Mountain Center. The article follows a group of Santo Domingo Pueblo native american students as they take a day hike just north of Santa Fe and learn about their culture and how they relate to the outdoors. The image above shows three students crossing a small stream during that hike.
