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Hi Group.. .

Yes, this does happen, unfortunately. I was recently made aware that my Red Barn photo was over at another group in the form of a painting. So, I went to have a look and yes, it was. I PM'd the person, asking him about it and why without my permission or attribution. Yes, it was a painting, but still a copy of my photograph. He apologized and immediately removed it from the site, also apologizing to that site's group. His intensions were not to steal and he meant no harm, but just the same, it was an infringement on my work without my knowledge. He learned his lesson.

I have also had this happen to me with two of my landscape photographs and am not sure how to diplomatically handle the situation. I don't own the landscape and it is possible that people could be at the same location and take a photograph of the same view.

One friend did let me know that she was searching my photo gallery for flower images. However, she did ask my permission and went the extra mile to make certain that her use of one of my images was done with my knowledge and cooperation. I liked her better as a friend after that.

One of the reasons I have been a little scarce around here for the last couple days is that I am all over Eons trying to check out how bad a problem this is....and it is worse than bad. It's a way of life for many people. And, although I can't justify it as an excuse, I have found one thing in common among most (but not all) of those just "grabbing" individual's art and work as if it's open house at the gallery....they all use photobucket and flikr and webshots extensively, and it is apparently a mindset that what they find on the internet is free to be used as they see fit. (For those of you who also use the above mentioned sites...please understand I am only stating my personal interpretation of where these other people get the idea they can freely take private work at will.) The ones I am describing above don't seem to be artists or photographers or anything of the sort...they vicariously use these sites as their "portfolios" of work to post in their profiles, and groups, wherever. Personally, I don't know how those sites work, or how they are not shut down by lawsuits, because I know several world reknown fantasy artists whose work has been stolen and stuck all over Eons, and they surely aren't receiving compensation, OR attribution for its use!!

But, that's their worry...right now, I am concernd about all of you. Within the last two days, I have contacted privately two members of this group whose posted photographs had been appropriated by others in other groups, and posted outright, with no attribution, or utilized as material for other medium renditions, like a painting.
I asked to be kept abreast of what they did, and how the other person responded, as I see this as a very sensitive matter...but one that MUST be addressed. It is not OK to go around and use someone else's work in ANY MATTER OR MANNER without permission. Case closed. I have offended a couple of my friends because I told them it had to stop...but they got over it after recognizing the truth of the matter, and that it is only a matter of respect to the originator of the material to simply ask.

The other two members of this group, along with myself, were pretty unanimous that we consider it an honor that someone thinks enough of our product and labor to want to use it, or view it, on a more personal basis. The "dis"honor comes in taking without permission.

I will end with the following: as this seems to be VERY widespread here, I ask that each of you consider a minimum of protection by signing electronically each of your photos before you post them. I would also ask that you watch out for one another on a passive basis at least. If you see someone using something from someone in this group, please let them know about it. The group member can decide what they wish to do about it...but he can do nothig at all, even if he wants to, if he doesn't know about it. Just so you know...I sign all my work with an embedded digital logo, number and signature. They are NOT visible to the eye, or the computer or Exif readers unless you have duplicate programs and readers of the signature type...they cost a bit, but they don't ruin the photo with a visible watermark, and they cannot be erased, cloned out, brushed over...

I don't for a minute believe that most of these "borrowers" are evil, or making a profit with our work, or posting it (in MOST instances) as their own. I think that most of them are inundated with other sites that allow them free rein of using other people's art, and they think it applied universally. I simply think most of them are ignorant of not only the law, but other, more pertinent, respectful etiquitte.

I wouldn't mind some discussion and input of personal experience or opinion about this...I feel it could only benefit us all. What do you think?

Where can one get one of these embedded digital logos and how do they work?

Thanks in advance.

Unfortunately for those of us for whom photography is a passion and an art, once we upload to the web, it is "open season" on our work. Very few sites offer the option to disable right click. Therefore, we are at the mercy of unscrupulous people.
I recently found one of my pictures that had been "borrowed" from the front page and used at another group, which I happen to also belong to. I posted "what a beautiful picture...oh, wait...it's MINE! Please ask permission before you use my pictures, I consider it common courtesy"! I received an apology and an assurance that it would not happen again.
In another group that I moderate, a member borrowed a picture of the front page and posted it to the gallery at the group. Just so happened that the picture they borrowed belonged to the manager of that group! We issued a public thrashing and blocked this member from the group!
I find it offensive and upsetting when I see other people help themselves to the work of others and passing it off as their own.
I agree with Gardens, we need to be vigilant. If we recognize one of our members photos being used elsewhere, it is our responsibility as a group member (and friend) to inform that person and let them handle it from there!
I will post more thoughts on this subject as they come to mind.
In my opinion, this is a "serious" matter!

P.S. Please take the time to "boom" this so it makes it to the front page so more members on Eons will read this!

I would HOPE there was no malicious intent involved in any of the incidents...definitely a lack of awareness.

I feel this post helps enlighten those who are not yet familiar with the etiquette required in an artisitc community.

I joined about a week ago with the purpose of finding like-minded photographers and sharing my work I started out by uploading some photos. I'm beginning to regret that I uploaded photos of a reasonable size and am in the process of replacing them all with a smaller, less tempting size and resolution. It bothers me only a little if some dummy uses one of my photos for a personal profile. I could get upset, but if you upload a pic to the internet there is absolutely no way to protect it, so getting upset is a waste of my energy. The small size of the photos I'll be uploading from now on makes them pretty useless for commercial purposes. Thanks for starting this thread. It's something we all need to continue to discuss.

I agree with everyone completely on this subject. So far I have not found any of my pictures but I am sure they are out there somewhere. I have a question would you feel the
same if the person who used it on there page would have posted something saying who took the photo? I was just wondering.

Hi all...still going strong on this, and getting all sorts of feedback from many sides.

A couple things I missed earlier...if you see some suspected misuse of photos or art of any of your friends in this group, especially, and don't know how or don't care to become involved, please send me a PM with the details, and I will be more than will ing to check it out myself and then take it to our other member and let them handle it.

I posted a separate message about the embedded protection software.

Fotobug77...an attribution doesn't hurt, but it doesn't correct the error in judgement of taking someone's work in the first place. At least it lets the owner know they had no real interest in causing harm or trying to use it as their own, but it's still wrong. (My opinion only here.)

And lastly, for now anyway...I have received a couple other PM's today from others who have read this message and all your replies on the Front Page. They were absolutely dumbfounded (and I believe them) that you CAN'T just use anything you find on the internet for any damn thing you please!! They asked for clarification about my views, and what I knew of copyright laws etc....which I was glad to give as much as I have. But, the strongest point they made was that they did not know, or suspect, that it wasn't proper, or legal, or good manners (LOL!) to simply take what they desired. (As I suspected , at least two of them said that they formed this opinion through the "photo sharing" sites...) In this case, ignorance is bliss...but not for the owner of the works of art!