Copy Right Laws on Photographs Turned Into A Piece of Art

That is a very tricky question. It depends very much on how closely your artwork resembles the original image. I think that, if an image is copyrighted (as most images you find on the web actually are, whether it says so or not - just the act of posting an image on a publicly viewable website automatically copyrights the image unless it is specifically stated that anyone may use it for any purpose without asking) and you use the image as the basis for artwork in such a way that most people seeing the two side by side would say that the artwork is derived from the image, then you SHOULD ask the owner of the original image (if you can find out who that is) for permission to use it. Most people would appreciate your politeness and that you took the trouble to ask and would readily give their consent. A few might ask for credit to be given - and you might do that anyway in a note somewhere in the book, whether you were asked to do so or not. I think that the attitude you should have should be one of gratitude and acknowledgement to the person who inspired your artwork. If you feel that their image has directly inspired it, then credit them anyway, whether they ask you to or not. If your artwork (or part of it) is 'too close for comfort' (so like the original image that anyone looking at the two would say that you have copied), then you should feel duty bound to ask them if you may use a derivative version of their image.

Hello my friend gtargirl Ji, I think it is un-ethical to copy and edit without original's permission in writing May God bless You and have a great time

There was a case where a person took a photo and used their photo to sell cards on line. They were froced to take the photo down because it contained the image of a newspaper where you could read the headline - copyrighted material. They blured the name of the paper and ther headline and it was alright. Becareful using others work and even look closely at your if you are going to sell it. I have given rights to use some of my work to different groups for the purpose of promoting their group but I retain the rights to the work.

I do not think it is legal. It is indeed the owner's right to sell or publish it. Specially if the person who is making use of the picture gains any profit out of it, it should owned by the original owner and not the person who had put efforts to modify it.