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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> portfolio pics on your website (protected them)
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12/16/2005 12:50:02 PM · #1
I have all my sessions for sale on my website and then if I like the image I have requested to use it in my portfolio. Which then unlocks the image from being watermarked with proof. How are you protecting your portfolio images on your website from being stolen? Yes my cheap customer went in and stole it. She uploaded it on her holiday cards. So I don't want to watermark my portfolio like my proofs do I just put my logo on big and where they couldn't crop it out and still steal the print? I do think it's sad someone would do this.
12/16/2005 01:28:02 PM · #2
Apart from watermarking your images to prevent future theft (I don't watermark either--hard to display photos like that) you really have three choices.

1) Chalk it up to experience and move on. Until people become more undertanding of digital, they will "steal" images when they can. (In my experience, even "good" people just don't see the harm. Digital images simply have very little percieved value in most folks minds.)

2) Explain to your customer that what they did was wrong and request that they pay for the images.

3) See how #2 works out. If it doesn't, then send them a real bill, in a real envelope (no email) for the images use, charging them for their use of the image. Explain that they have infringed on your copyright and that you are sending a copy of the bill to your laywer.

Now, I don't believe you have much of a legal case (their holiday card use didn't generate any profit you should be entitled to) but it may get their attention and/or sympathies and prompt them to pay you something.

But, keep in mind that, especially if you live in a small community, this may not be worth it. You may just piss them off, to which they will just bad mouth you with everyone they know. And here is the real kicker, because of how most folks feel about digital images (see #1) many people will take her side of the argument and you will wind up being the bad guy.
12/16/2005 01:40:45 PM · #3
I normally do events where I take lots of images (last event more than 1400) and make them available to purchase by the performers on my site.

I normally have a full watermark across the center of the image and very low res 60dpi. My normal customers and those that read the disclaimer on the site KNOW that the hires versions are available for print.

On a resent show I changed up (on purpose) and used only a corner mark with a © logo and website address. Fully expecting the images to be "stolen". My expectations were right on as I have found my images on several sites and profile pages.

This has worked in my favor because I have been invited to shoot several other shows and I have set up several portrait shoots based on the exposure from the show pictures. and as a side benefit I have sold several (about 20) from the show.

I may start doing shows and posting them without an obscuring watermark as a lost leader to generate more profitable business from them.

I mean they still cant go and have the images printed. The res is way too low and they are still marked for copyright.

Message edited by author 2005-12-16 13:41:28.
12/16/2005 01:46:03 PM · #4
I have a copyright notice in the corner of all my portfolio photos and on my website iamges are only displayed at low resolution unless you're logged in with an account that has the right to view them at high res, which none but mine currently do for the portfolio.
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