The Poster Boy


The Barack Obama Hope Poster has inspired countless discussions, imitations and controversies since its inception in 2008. Created by graphic artist Shepard Fairey, the minimalistic blue, red and beige stencil outlines of then US presidential candidate Barack Obama became the proverbial poster boy image for change during the 2008 election season.

The most popular version is the one you see above, but other variants by Fairey exchanged the word HOPE with PROGRESS or CHANGE. In fact, the original poster had PROGRESS written on it with the artist's Obey emblem subtly added. Whichever words used, the poster conveyed the message of Obama's campaign simply and effectively.

It's iconic yet seemingly effortless design has made it easy for other artists and even ordinary individuals with some basic computer skills to make their own posters. You can probably find close to a thousand different designs today, from former US presidents and former presidential hopefuls to hopeless leaders and mad men (Those last two links and descriptions are interchangeable by the way).

Inspiration also comes from reality show pop stars in the UK to Hollywood stars in a galaxy far, far away. Another famous variant comes from the distant planet Cybertron while another iz in ur ceiling.


It only took a two-second Google search to find these images, and it's not unlikely that you'll find new designs by the time you do your own search. On the off chance that you don't have two seconds to spare, you can always go here for all you poster-variant needs.

The quality of a good artwork is its ability to encourage different interpretations, so it's not surprising that the Barack Obama Hope Poster has also inspired dissident designs. This one, from an unknown source, is quite well done in my opinion.


This is all interesting and informative, but what is a piece of vectorized poster art doing on a photography blog? Well, such an iconic image isn't without controversy, and the same is true for this one, only that it involves an unassuming photograph, the Associated Press and the artist Shepard Fairey.

To make a long story short, the source of the Obama poster was discovered to be an AP photo taken 2006. In 2009, the AP decided that Fairey violated copyright laws because he used the 2006 photo as the basis for his poster without the AP's permission. You can see in the comparison below how the poster and photograph match up.

The artist sued the AP, admitting later on that he did use the AP photo but arguing that it was under the fair use doctrine. The AP counter sued, arguing that the artist knew that the photo was copyright, but deliberately ignored that fact.

On top of it all, the original photographer of the Obama picture, Mannie Garcia, fell into the fray and argued that he retained the copyright of the photo and not the AP.

The back and forth accusations finally stopped three months ago, when the case was settled out of court without any confirmation on whether or not any copyright laws were violated. It should be noted however, that both parties agreed to share the profits from future sales of the poster; it's always a win-win solution when money is involved.

I had followed the progress of the poster's copyright issues with light interest over the course of last year, but I can't help but feel that the issue hits closer to home now that I started this blog. As a site that's primarily devoted to photography, I find myself "borrowing" most of the images used in each post from other websites. The goal of this blog is to freely share the beauty and power of different images that I feel should be seen by others, but then again, their use may have inadvertently breached some law or regulation.

I recently posted a disclaimer on this site to clear up any issues regarding fair use and copyright images on the blog, and if anyone who owns the rights to any of the images used here believes that the images should be taken down, then please feel free to comment below or contact me through this form.

On a lighter note, I would be interested to know how you feel about this copyright issue, as well as your favorite Obama Hope variants. Personally, I like this Charles Darwin poster by Mike Rosulek the best.


Whatever your opinion of the Barack Obama Hope Poster copyright issue, you have to admit that it's brought out some good by making the free use doctrine more recognized, as well as by inspiring other people to create their own Obama Hope-esque digital artworks for the whole world to see.

Comments

  1. Nice story...and yeah I see that poster everywhere! I really like it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I really enjoyed that. I think that the Obama portrait has become so iconic, that it's recognition may even parallel the recognition of the Che portrait in the near future. Hit me back with your thoughts.

    ReplyDelete
  3. There's certainly a very strong sense of imagery associated with the Obama posters, and I think this may even begin to parallel the almost worldwide recognition of the Che portrait in times to come. Hit me back.

    ReplyDelete
  4. That Darwin poster, along with Luke Skywalker's, might be the greatest ones I've seen!

    I agree that the Obama HOPE poster was a powerful and effective tool during his campaign, but I never really bought into his hype (I voted Clinton in the primary) so I don't feel as duped as others do these days.

    ReplyDelete
  5. lol Love the Darwin pic... and these hope pictures used to be huge a few years ago, thanks for the background on them

    ReplyDelete
  6. this is a great collection. and interesting insight as well.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Really interesting post. Luke Skywalker's my fav

    ReplyDelete
  8. very iconic, whether or not we'd like to admit it

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love the Darwin one :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Man i can't believe the AP gets half of fairys profit when they practically had no involvement what so ever in creating the artwork! I mean any old bozzo could of taken that picture, fairy was the one who made it into something amazing :(

    ReplyDelete
  11. I seriously laughed out loud at the change itno a truck poster.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Now this is some real cool shit, im going to try and make one of my own face :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. He got sued? Oh haha. Anyway very interesting post.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Copyright is an issue if you take somebody elses work to make money off it, I take images of the internet to show ideas and for reference only and do not see a problem.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Points for impressive design but points lost for copyright problems.

    ReplyDelete
  16. They gave obama somehow a half white face. The red is a 'warm' color, and the black outlines his face. It is all psychological.

    ReplyDelete
  17. nice post love the optimus prime lol

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks for the info, the new hope one is still the best. Shame about the law suits, seems you can to anything over there without going to court.

    DOn't get anything like that over here o_O

    ReplyDelete
  19. In America it's called be freedom of speech ;D! So forget the copyright issues! BTW loving the sarcastic Darwin poster LOL

    ReplyDelete
  20. It is art. I'm pretty sure this is covered under fair use. There are millions of pieces of art that use larger content

    ReplyDelete
  21. These are... these are just... BRILLIANT!

    ReplyDelete
  22. awesome post :D

    http://le-nerd.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  23. Nice post, i've got to say the last picture is my favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I used the like them, but after a while they started getting boring, some are still nice tho.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I've always liked that art style. Keeping it plain and simple, but still stylish.

    ReplyDelete
  26. The Darwin one FTW +followed!
    Remember to return the favor /b/rothers.

    http://rumblereport.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  27. The artist wasn't the first to have created a work of art based on a photograph. In fact, most contemporary artists use press photos for their portraits.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Copyrights are getting a little insane lately. Music and game companies take it to the utmost extreme. Nice article!

    ReplyDelete
  29. therichesthappiest.blogspot.com

    following and $upporting

    best friend on the blogosphere

    ReplyDelete
  30. when did osama get a hair cut?

    ReplyDelete
  31. I think leg wrestling should be used to settle all disputes.

    ReplyDelete
  32. HAHAHAHA you just made my day with all these posts!
    Especially darwin!

    ReplyDelete
  33. lol @ the posters for other people.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Great post dude.
    I really enjoyed reading it.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Darwin lol. All of these are funny.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I had no idea the artist was sued for this o.O

    ReplyDelete
  37. Very good point, excellent way to express it.

    ReplyDelete
  38. great story .. I liked the one with Bush

    ReplyDelete
  39. I didn't know the art had such a (legal) history behind it. And ow it is part of our image-culture.
    On that lighter note, there were quite a few I haven't seen yet!

    ReplyDelete
  40. I'd never really noticed the obvious use of red white and blue.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Whenever I hear stories about copyright lawsuits, I get angry. Fair Use is ignored all too often in the "sue now, sort it out later" mentality. Copyright was designed to protect the individual creator against big companies stealing and marketing their ideas, it has been twisted to do the opposite.

    ReplyDelete
  42. If only he had lived up to the hype...

    ReplyDelete
  43. I am actually looking for photoshop tutorials for this kind of effect, the obama flyer. They all look soo cool and retro!

    ReplyDelete
  44. This is an aesthetically pleasing format, i think. As far as copyright issues, I guess there was a right for an issue, which they pursued. I'm glad they found resolution, tho.

    ReplyDelete
  45. hey man i did not know the story behind the posters. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  46. I never saw much in the hope poster anyway

    ReplyDelete
  47. Wow, there are some really good posters there.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Ahaha so that's where people get them from 0; I see these everywhere aha >_>

    ReplyDelete
  49. Personally, I prefer the parody versions. :P

    ReplyDelete
  50. i think it was a clever way to win an election, im pretty sure that picture helped a lot. I remember in 08' when i saw the picture EVERYWHERE.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Fairey is so talented, I have to say his Obey posters deserve to be more iconic, though.

    ReplyDelete
  52. I would have never thought something as simple as those posters could stir such a legal mess

    ReplyDelete
  53. Hahha I love the darwin "very gradual change!" poster. Heck, I love all of these they're brilliant (Change into a robot!) Following and supporting.

    ReplyDelete
  54. this is really thought provoking. i wish everybody would just get along.

    ReplyDelete
  55. The artist who made the first Obama portrait was on Colbert to add to his painting. It was pretty awesome. The Darwin one is the best, though.

    ReplyDelete
  56. I didn't know that the obama photo was taken from an AP picture, and that there was a lawsuit from it. Now i know!

    ReplyDelete
  57. i really thought the story about the copyright of obama's picture was very interesting! keep up the good blogs :]

    ReplyDelete
  58. LOL. I like the Transformer one! :)

    ReplyDelete
  59. love this pictures, can you post a tutorial on how to meke them?

    ReplyDelete
  60. Wow, I never knew there was so much story behind the Obama posters. Thanks for the information!

    ReplyDelete
  61. Any presidential candidate that can change into a truck has my vote! :D

    ReplyDelete
  62. I enjoyed looking at all of the mimicked posters... they're pretty funny... thanks for the post man, can't wait to see more!

    ReplyDelete
  63. Gandhi said it best...be the change you want to see in the world. You can't expect one mortal man to restore faith in the good of a Government both nationally and in their international responsibilities.

    Obama appeared to run out of steam not long in after all the hype wore off.

    Honesty is the best policy - I saw that presidential campaigns have started , I think the whole world will be watching this one.

    ReplyDelete
  64. i would like to know your take on the libyan events. i know it's off-topic here, but really. i kinda have the feeling im the only one for gaddafi here.

    ReplyDelete
  65. These copyright arguments has gone a bit out of hand I think..

    ReplyDelete
  66. Copyright has it's pros and cons. It's handy for artists and small companies to prevent people to steal their work, but on the other side it's made for big companies to annoy the s**t out of you, if you post a picture somewhere on the web.

    ReplyDelete
  67. I didn't know it was an official poster :o

    ReplyDelete
  68. Great post. Interesting insight.

    ReplyDelete
  69. wehe Optimus Prime made me laugh :P

    ReplyDelete
  70. that poster vaguely reminds me of communist propaganda and i dont like that.

    ReplyDelete
  71. Darwin one's amazing!

    Following. :)

    ReplyDelete
  72. I've seen those pictures everywhere, I really didn't know Obama was the original. Great read.

    ReplyDelete
  73. Good article man, keep up the good work! :)

    ReplyDelete
  74. Great post! Keep up the good blogging!

    ReplyDelete
  75. Good read, nice post. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  76. Such a well done poster, I will admit it got me fuming on more than one occasion.

    ReplyDelete
  77. hahahaha, love the star wars and transformers variations

    ReplyDelete
  78. hahaha the "change into a truck" transformers one :D i'd vote for this guy!

    ReplyDelete
  79. this has now become a classic image...

    ReplyDelete
  80. always likes the optimus prime one lol

    ReplyDelete
  81. I loved the Prime one as well

    ReplyDelete
  82. I think that once you paint over an image and "make it your own" it's no longer similar enough to the original that it's a copyright violation.

    ~H. Coct

    ReplyDelete
  83. I personally love the Transformers poster!

    ReplyDelete
  84. It's definitely become a cultural trend

    ReplyDelete
  85. Great collection you got there. I'm not american so it's not really my business but every politician who is going to get elected will have his share of good and bad stuff. It's always been like this, all around the world..

    ReplyDelete
  86. Crazy how famous that graffiti artist became.

    ReplyDelete
  87. That blue,red and white i did it a long time ago in 2006 in my MAC computer.

    ReplyDelete
  88. There's nothing that lolcats won't co-opt.

    ReplyDelete
  89. The Dawrin thing made me lol hard.

    ReplyDelete
  90. Lol I loved all the different people put in that picture format. Transformers, Darwin, etc... xD +1 follower, hope you can return the favor!

    ReplyDelete
  91. Shepard Fairey is a pritty interesting artest,little known fact, the face used in many art peices he makes is that of Andre The Giant

    ReplyDelete
  92. I thought this poster was really good because of it's simplicity. It definitely stands out.

    ReplyDelete
  93. Lawsuits, they seem to solve everything.

    ReplyDelete
  94. you analysed this pretty good. very interesting. and your writing is great too.

    ReplyDelete
  95. I agree with HiFi. So simple but powerful at the same time.
    Really enjoying your blog by the way. Followed!:)

    ReplyDelete
  96. I like the Darwin one best as well. I also like the Optimus Prime one :3

    ReplyDelete
  97. I was thinking about printing some block posters off these... Whaddaya say?

    ReplyDelete
  98. J.B is absolutely right.
    You are a great writer Jay :)

    ReplyDelete
  99. Shepard Fairey is an awesome artist, he got so many great pieces.

    ReplyDelete
  100. Very interesting article. I guess it really could be considered an important piece of art given all the copies of it lying around. Nice.

    ReplyDelete
  101. Great post! I love this blog!!!! Don't forget about me man :)
    www.neverboringnews.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  102. I think that he should have cited the original author but because it was a derivative work perhaps he shouldn't be entitled to half the profits--otherwise he would have just used another photo to avoid the whole issue.

    I wonder how much money was wasted in courts? Why can these people not duke it out with a sword or perhaps a good 'ole fashioned bat fight? No, but seriously, these issues all require courts and judges now--why can this not be solved without taking it that far? If you cite photos you're always safer though, as I'm learning more. Great job, great post, thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  103. posters are hilarious.. thank you sir

    ReplyDelete
  104. The Darwin is classic. Hadn't seen most of these. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  105. ive made my own of these! it looked cooled

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts