It is generally not considered an infringement of copyright for a professional painter to use photographs available on the internet as references for their paintings, as long as the painter is not slavishly reproducing the photograph and is instead using it to learn about the characteristics of their subject and incorporating that knowledge into their original compositions and paintings. However, if the painter is creating a derivative work that is substantially similar to the original photograph, they may be infringing on the copyright of the photographer. The fair use doctrine may apply in some cases, allowing limited use of a copyrighted work for purposes such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, and scholarly reports. It is important for visual and graphic artists to be aware of copyright law and the protections available to them in order to avoid infringing on the rights of others.