Photography Copy and Copyright Infringement

[Armaio]

Hi everyone
during my university I've been studying a lot of History of Art. One aspect that comes back to my mind quite often since I shoot photographs is related to the formation of artists between the 14th and the 20th century. In those times before even thinking having a personal style you had to be able to paint the way all the great Masters of your age and before did. That made me think that, for my very personal enjoyment, I would love to bee able to photograph as the great Masters did.
But I was considering that in those time they didn't, but in these times I can possibly have a copyright problem. What about if I try to get closer as possible to a portrait of Nadar, Karsh, Man Ray, Wharol...? Specifying that is after XXX? Would that be copyright infringement?
Thanks,
Carlo

[aaron]

I'm not sure where you're going with this. If you manage to get Winston Churchill or Ernest Hemingway to sit for you and take photographs exactly like Karsh's, I suppose his estate may take issue, but that doesn't seem very likely. If you're simply talking about style, that's not protected by copyright. What are you trying to do - an homage to style or something akin to a copy that you can claim is your own?

[Armaio]

Let's imagine that I find somebody who resembles very much Churchill or Hemingway, and let's suppose I will be able to shoot a pic that resembles Karsh's one...
An homage to style with an obviously different, but resembling, model!