Astrophotos... Freeware or Retail

I recieved a pm from a member of our society about some images that I had taken as they were redecorating the house and wanted some astro shots. In the same pm they also mentioned that they had contacted another guy who had agreed to sell her some widefield images. My response was that I post all my images on public forums so as far as I am concerned they are freeware. If I am going to pay for an image it will be a Hubble image at full res and 3 foot x 3 foot minimum.

Any thoughts on this?

Interesting problem to have! I've a bit to go before I have this!

Each image is in many respects a work of art. Each one takes time, effort and skill and can often require relatively expensive gear to produce.

Personally, I wouldn't print and frame someone else's image, unless it is something from public release from the likes of NASA, which is already paid for from taxpayers money.

If, for example, someone wanted one of my images to hang on their wall, I'd spend a bit of time preparing it especially for them, printing it on photo-grade paper, framing it and then sign it. Then, I would of course expect the cost of the frame and printing to be covered along with some sort of other means of acknowledging the work involved. Whether this be financial or just invited round for lunch and a chat - the point being that an acknowledgement is made by the receiver of the efforts made by the creator to develop the piece.

Just my 2cent...

All I can offer, as an artist, is that its totally up to the artist what
they want to do, biet they sell thier work or give them away for free.

I personally wouldnt call something artistic like a photograph (or drawing,
piece of music etc.) 'freeware'.
To me freeware is a term used for programs or applications that
are released to the public by companies or individuals
(such as registax)

Also, just because something is in the public domain such as a message
board does not mean anyone anyhere can use it for anything they wish.
The artist that created it has copyright on it.
(obviously its practially impossable to prevent someone printing off
an image from a website and hanging it on thier wall)
Provided of course that they are happy with a lower quality smaller (usually jpeg) image printed with an average
printer on non photographic paper.

Most people who take images worth buying or putting up on your walls
have a higher rez file that can be processed in a colour lab.
(i don't mean the Harvey Norman style DIY places either)
This is usually expensive (but needs must to get the right results)
Therefore I see nothing wrong with someone selling someone else thier work.

I personally would'nt mind if someone downloaded one of my photos
(not that it's likely but still...)
an used it as a screensaver or printed it...
But if they contacted me and asked me could they use it to hang on thier
wall...
I would prefer to get it developed in a photolab on the best quality paper
to the size that best shows off the work....just so I would know that
my work is bieng displayed in the best possable way so that they can
get the most out of it.
Whatever the cost of that would be I would pass on to the buyer
plus a reasonable fair ammount in payment for the time and effort to
do it.

Well, thats my 2cents anyway....

(BTW, I'm not the other guy! )

:shock:
Thats freaky Mike!
While I was typing my response to Pheonixs' post
you replied before me...
I hadn't read yours...
It's practially the exact same!
even down to the 2 cents remark!!

You know what they say about great minds....

If you use someone else's images, you should give them credit.