Aileen Archive makes W. Eugene & Aileen Mioko Smith’s historic photos of Minamata available for a variety of uses. Examples include use by media, museums, schools, scholars, commercial publications, NGOs, environmental pollution victims and the general public.
Photos for Media, Exhibition, Education
Licensing
Using photos from the Archive requires prior arrangement of a licensing agreement. Having such a license gives you, your group or organization permission to display photos from the Archive without violating copyright.
Licensing photos is subject to a fee depending on the specifics of each case, including image quantity and manner of use. Citizen organizations and groups working on behalf of Minamata Disease (methylmercury pollution) victims may receive licenses at a discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
May I edit/modify the photographs?
No. The photographs may not be cropped, colorized, have text placed on top of them or be otherwise modified. They may be resized proportionally as long as doing so does not degrade image quality.
Are there any important points regarding credit notation?
Yes. Each photograph must include both credit and copyright. This information should appear separately and not be placed directly on the image.
How much does it cost to use the images?
We have a sliding-scale fee structure. Rates range from standard commercial rates to lower NGO rates, with educational use falling in between.
Aileen Archive also provides services at low cost, or in some cases pro bono, to citizen organizations and groups working on behalf of Minamata Disease (methyl mercury pollution) victims.
Please contact us for further details.
Do you license W. Eugene Smith photographs other than the Minamata images?
No, Aileen Archive only licenses W. Eugene Smith photos related to Minamata.
Requests to license or reproduce non-Minamata photos by W. Eugene Smith should be directed to:
Kevin Eugene Smith
Representative of the Heirs of W. Eugene Smith
Email: smithkev@aol.com
Do you grant permission to use the photograph “Tomoko and Mother in the Bath?”
No, we do not. There are no exceptions. Aileen Mioko Smith has not authorized the release of this image for many years. Please read her statement on the matter.