I didn't intend for my 1st post today to be a rant but I have to get this out.
I'm sitting here angry & crying because when I logged into one of the sites where i sell my photos, I saw an announcement congratulating an "artist's" sale of their photograph of a Mark Rothko painting. I checked out her shop and that's what she does. She goes into museums and photographs art and has tons of sales.
I'm struggling to get sales of my original photos but people will buy photos of other people's art. 🤬

@see_the_sus That is ridiculous. And also, is that legal? Seems shady.

@WendyForbes @see_the_sus My same thought. If that isn't illegal; it ought to be.

Photographing a painting is one thing. Proceeds from any reproduction of a painting (print or photo) should go to the original artist, though.

@S_r_stone @WendyForbes

I'm pretty sure that while photos can be taken in most museums, you're not allowed to profit from them.
But non-artists are typically completely clueless and far too many websites ignore it because an artist's sale gives the company money.
It just hurts my soul. Marketing, especially online, doesn't come easy for me. I put in hours editing, finding the right keywords, the right title, and description, and then uploading and adding prices. It's exhausting. 😢

@S_r_stone @WendyForbes

They even say in the description of the Rothko, "The painting was photographed at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C."

People's comments are shit like,
"A beauty"
"Great photo! Congratulations on your sale!"
"Beautiful artwork! "

@S_r_stone @WendyForbes

I'm going to reach out to the museum because their policy states,

"Photography for personal use is permitted except where specifically prohibited."

@S_r_stone @WendyForbes

Received a reply already!

I’m glad I reported the asshole but it doesn’t soothe the anger and defeat I feel. 😞 There’s plenty more fuckers like this out there and not enough willingness to stop it.