Unfortunately, if you only have one reference image you will obviously have to pull your information 
from that. Unless you are able to deduce a different view of the object, using real specimens, or a 
well informed imagination. Not impossible, but a bit daring if accuracy counts.  Courts have spoken 
on this. If you are using even just the shapes of a photo and creating a completely different 
treatment of the media and style, that is still enough to be called derivative and put you in hot water.

If you are not going to ask permission, your best defense is to have multiple reference images, with 
no direct mimicking of shapes (ie- a new view and new patterns that fall in the range of reality), 
and if possible some of your own materials, either specimen access or personal photos.

Britt


On 8/28/15 11:47 AM, Liz Lockett wrote:
> This is naive but if you creating a truly unique piece and you are using images for information
> only, not design or  composition why would you buy them? Unless you felt like you wanted personal
> copies?

Need to leave or subscribe to the Sciart-L listserv? Follow the instructions at
http://www.gnsi.org/resources/reviews/gnsi-sciart-l-listserv