Copy Us – An exploration of authorship & copyright (Commissioned by Halifax Book Fair). Fact: Historically, portraits were referred to as ‘copies’, so you would ‘have your copy made’. A series of portraits were shot on the streets of Leeds over one weekend. Before any photograph could be considered for use within Copy Us, the subject was asked to sign over the copyright of their portrait to the project, using a typical industry release form. No one refused to sign the form - although some chose to edit it.

The following weekend, the full series of portraits were presented at Halifax Book Fair. In order to create an edition of Copy Us, each viewer was asked to take the role of editor. This required them to select a maximum of twelve photographs from the set to include in their edition, and to consider the size of these photographs and their order. They then copied the images on a standard black and white photocopier and bound and trimmed their edition. Finally it was stamped, signed and dated before being taken away by the viewer.

Concept, design & photography by Lizzie Ridout & Melissa Thompson

Portrait photographed in Leeds

Portrait photographed in Leeds

Portrait photographed in Leeds

The Copy Us production line at Halifax Book Fair

The Copy Us production line at Halifax Book Fair

The Copy Us stamp, used on all editions