Young Lion vs Old Lion

My wifes uncle got me into photography last year and he taught me a a lot. I started off with a Pentax film camera and moved up to a K10D and a K20D. He has been using Pentax for over 30 years and loves Pentax to death. Everything was Ok until we did a paid wedding three months ago. We both shot with our Pentax k20D's. He told me to use his 8GB memory card in my camera which I did not think anything of at first. I later convinced him to let me copy the files over to my flash drive so I can least have the photos I shot for my portfoilio.(bride and groom agreed we could use for portfolio) So I edited a few pics that I shot and showed some of my family members and he flips the hell out! He demanded I give him back the flash drive and to delete all the pictures on my hard drive that I shot at the wedding. So, he edits the photos on CS5 and puts his signature on all of my photo's and now has them on Flickr and his facebook and tells me I cannot use any for my portfolio. So after that are relationship was kind of rocky for a few months but we still talked online. Then I buy the Canon 7D, and the dude literally almost has a stroke. He tells me I don't even know how to use the camera I had (which I do) and I don't need a canon blah blah and I drank the cool aid and just totally flips out on me. Everyone says they like my images better then his and he's a horrible photographer but I never said anything because I respected the fact he taught me but now I am wondering if he jealous or what? He never has anything good to say about my pictures and always finds something negative to say..like, "you should of done that and you should of done this" because you don't listen or take time to learn but I really do try to learn more and constantly read and experiment. So, today he has the nerve to send me a msg online about some images a friend of his put up on Face Book and I was like yeah, very nice, I looked at them this morning. So he goes, "see, if you would of listened to me you would of had images like this too but you chose not to listen and he stared going on how I could be successful like his friend if I was smarter about photography and took the time to learn (which I have) ... ever since I got this Canon all he does is talk down to me and degrade my work. I decided to go my separate ways after my last scheduled paid gig with him in October. My main concern for now though is the wedding images. I never deleted the files from my computer. If I edit them myself can I still use them for my portfolio? Thanks

Mistake 1. Working with family and friends.

(Assuming you are in the USA) Mistake 2 (for the other guy). No Contract. You own the copyright to the images that you took (Only if you used your own cameras, aren't an employee of his yada-yada). According to the law, you can do whatever you want with these (except for uses that would need a model release). You can send a cease and desist letter to the other guy who is using your photos without permission. I doubt you want to do all of that, but if you do, you need to register your images.

Now on the common sense part.
You were hired to take photos for him. What did you expect was going to happen? Ever hear, "Don't bite the hand that feeds you"? Sure use them to show examples of your work, but that's about it.

Also, paraphrase next time and more people might want to join the discussion. Lengthy reads on the internet are a good way to get people to ignore you.

Yeah, you need paragraphs lol.

Anyway, I think you're doing the right thing by not working with him anymore. Family and business should be separate. I would also tell him to stop giving you criticism if its not helping you. As for the wedding photos I would use them weather he wanted me to or not. He's wrong for that.

I checked out your flickr and your shots look great, so you shouldnt have much of a problem finding your own clients

Congratulations on surpassing your mentor and for respecting him so far.

In my opinion, you should not put the pictures you took for him at the wedding in your public portfolio. I say this because, while you may have a right to show them, you don't need them THAT badly. Shoot another wedding on your own and use those new pictures in your portfolio. And if you want, show the first wedding photos privately to a potential client. If you show them publicly, you are risking a large fight in the family and it could turn ugly-- not worth it, even if you win.

As far as him being critical, it wouldn't be bad to confront him about it if you want to. Otherwise just ignore it. The quality of your pictures will say more to other people than his comments (especially if they never hear his comments). Unless he is publicly defaming you, then he is only invalidating himself with his unreasonable and constant criticism.

Considering that he's family, I would take his criticism with a smile and just let it go in one ear and out the other if it's not constructive. I would also suggest not using the images from the wedding in your portfolio in the name of keeping family peace. As mentioned above, family (or friends) and business can be a touchy thing and the marriage of the two has ruined many relationships....espec​ially when things aren't spelled out to the letter.

You took the photos use them in your port if they are worth it. Regardless if they were work for hire or not you can use them in your portfolio. I would explain to him though, and sooner rather later, that you've planned to move on after your last job with him. Tell him simply the relationship has become non-productive for both of you and it's run it's course and time to move. Add how much you appreciate what he's done for you blah blah

Dennis_Hammer wrote in post #10868100
Regardless if they were work for hire or not you can use them in your portfolio.

Not correct.

If you desire a career in photography no matter how good you get you will hear criticism. Take what you want from it. It may be tough but in the end it makes you better. Often times the criticism is from individuals whom you have no care for their opinion. Appreciate it, and choose to ignore it if you like.

In developing your own style you will likely find like many of us, looking at your old work can make you cringe. I know seeing some of my college work makes me feel a little silly for ever showing it publicly.

Working with family is a good way to cause tension. If you appreciate the help then listen to everything and apply what you feel is valuable advice. Thank them and work on getting your own clients. If your Uncle is booking events then he certainly has some advice to give. You can find a ton of business people with a camera who are not very good shooters but awesome sales people. It does appear that your Uncle is tough to work with. Maybe a tad childish and not exceptionally supportive. If that is the case then it is probably not a great situation to get into a business relationship with him. Next time, just pass.

Not sure where you are so don't really know if you can use the images. If it is going to cause a family feud I would not post them publicly. Print a few of the best and show prospects hard copies.

Nickc84 wrote in post #10867206
Then I buy the Canon 7D, and the dude literally almost has a stroke. He tells me I don't even know how to use the camera I had (which I do) and I don't need a canon blah blah and I drank the cool aid and just totally flips out on me.

I know people like this and know exactly what you're going through. Ignore it, and don't even justify these things with a response. If he tries to critique you, don't even respond... or if you wan critique him back and see how he likes it.

I have a certain family member, who's name will go unmentioned. But in a nut shell, anytime I've surpassed him in something he got me into... he has this underhanded way of trying to talk down to me like he knows more than I do. Despite the fact that not only do I do said hobbies (3x) as much as he does, but the quality of my work compared to his is like night and day.

If you can afford a 7D, then go for it. Let your work justify the money you've spent on camera equipment. It's ok for someone to help guide you in buying decisions... but your wife's uncle sounds like an *******. If you're new to photography and already surpassing him, and he can't at least acknowledge how quickly you've picked up on it... then the man must have a huge chip on his shoulder. It sounds like he's jealous of your gear, which is equally obnoxious. I'd avoid conversations about cameras with him, if he can't be an adult about it.

Here is another problem...How will you be able to prove that the pictures were taken by you? It is his word against yours. You know you took them and he does too but thats it. At best, print hard copy and use them if needed in your hard copy portfolio until you have other images you can use to replace those. I also own a 7D and could not be happier (well maybe with 1DMarkIV).

Talk about drama. Delete the pics you took with him, take better ones in future. Use those.
Why give him the time of day if you dont like talking to him. Just ignore him

Even if you are legally right, and who owns the intellectual property is dependent on many factors, you will not win in the "family social court." Delete them, and start your own portfolio of shots, which I suspect will be MUCH better than his. Just be polite. Bite your tongue till it bleeds and delete the pics, and you will come off looking like the hero, him like the insecure jerk that he is. Teachable moment for you. And needless to say, don't ever work with him again, it isn't worth the drama and upset.