Why I Do It. . .Blame it on Alberto Korda

It isn’t unusual that I hear from folks, hoping to use one of my photos.  It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, I’m nearly always happy to oblige.  

Often on the bottom of my photoblog posts, I will attach a little disclaimer that states, "I take pictures for the purpose of remembering fond times.  I do not impose copyright restrictions on this photo, so you may feel free to use, or distribute as you wish.  However, should you need a Real Estate Professional in the Greater Sacramento region, I hope that you will contact me by email or by visiting my website www.myrljeffcoat.com - Thank You!”

Photo bloggers have commented on the use of their photographs in the past. More often than not, they have chosen to keep some sort of control or copyright of their work.  And, generally, I understand why!  Especially, with those who claim photography as a profession.

I continue to keep most of my photos copyright free.  I simply get pleasure in sharing them without strings attached.  The alternative would be to set up some sort of website, and sell them for a few pence each, while going through the effort of collecting that all up.  I simply can’t imagine that the meager volume of any such website would justify the means.

With all this being said, I watched an interesting documentary in the past, which addressed this particular topic.  The documentary, put out by Red Envelope Netflix Productions, is titled, “Chevolution.”  The topic was about a single photographic image, taken by Cuban fashion designer, Alberto Korda, of Che Guevara, the revolutionary, which became one of the most reproduced images in history.

Of course those who know a little of Cuban and South American history, will be reminded that Che Guevara, was an ally of Fidel Castro in the Cuban Revolution.  Che is also immortalized in his travel memories of journeys throughout Latin America, published as “The Motorcycle Diaries.” 

The iconic photo Korda captured of Che was taken in the early 1960s, at the height of the Cuban Revolution.  In the following years, the photo increasingly began to spring up on posters at revolutions around the globe, in Prague, Belfast, Paris, Russia, Washington.   

Until the 1980s, no one really knew Korda was the creator of the iconic shot.  And the idea of copyright was unclear in Cuba.  Korda himself, believed images and ideas were free for the people.  Not long after the initial release of the photo by Korda to a newspaper, the photo began to be used by artists, who edited it with artistic touches, and silkscreened it onto tee-shirts and other goods.  

In the 1990s Korda began to express some resentment that his image was being used for more capitalistic commercial purposes.  He retained a lawyer for that single iconic image only.  While doing so, he stated he didn’t want the image used for promoting vices – alcohol, cigarettes, etc.  The image had been used by Smirnoff, Swatch, and had shown up on various tobacco products.  Korda said he wasn’t concerned about individuals selling a few tee-shirts, as long as they were doing it with respect to the image. 

At the end of the documentary, I couldn’t help but grasp the irony of Alberto Korda giving this iconic image free gratis to the people.  Yet, even in the socialistic spirit in which it was created, a capitalistic commercialism took over, and enriched everyone, but the creator of the image.  With a little smile on my face, I am left to wonder what would have happened, had the family of Che Guevara came after the Korda family for Che’s “modeling” rights:-)

A more interesting creation using the image was seen on a tee-shirt, which read, “This Shirt Brought to You by Capitalism.”

With all that being said.  I continue to share my photos with any who wish to have them.  I continue to take photos for my own enjoyment, and memories. HOWEVER, rest assured, should I ever snap a special iconic image of a revolutionary soldier, I’m gonna slap a copyright onto it early on:-)