DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Rant >> Copyright, watermarks and ignorant jerks
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 15 of 15, (reverse)
AuthorThread
 07/02/2004 11:59:52 PM · #1
I'd copy my rant from my livejournal, but it's not appropriate for DPC and would get me banned.

If you have images up, especially event images, PROTECT them. Watermark them. Copyright notice all over them. People are jerks. Ignoramuses and worse. They will steal, download, and otherwise rip you off. Protect your stuff. Now. Go.

Done. If you want the link to what I really have to say: //www.pictureinfinity.com/copyright.html

Not required reading for those with moral values.

M
 07/03/2004 12:22:46 AM · #2
sorry to hear about that Mav

question, how can you tell what images are downloaded from your site?

I get reports and stats from my hosting company, but none of the stats tell me if a photo was downloded

James
 07/03/2004 12:26:37 AM · #3
That is just awful... I hope you get the situation resolved soon.
07/03/2004 12:42:47 AM · #4
I realize you're really pissed right now, and I'll assume for legitimate reasons. But my well-intentioned suggestion is to cool off and rewrite most of the text on your site (well, the home and copyright pages anyway). They aren't very coherent. I'm just thinking from the standpoint of someone new coming to your site. The tone wouldn't attract me to choose you as my wedding photographer - it sounds a bit maniacal.
 07/03/2004 12:47:28 AM · #5
I've actually just done that - but thanks. I deleted most of the big red text and most of the copyright page. I'm furious. But lessons learned.
 07/03/2004 01:01:12 AM · #6
So what happened? You put proofs from a wedding shoot on your site for review, and the customer took the web version to WalMart for prints and stiffed you? Pretty lame.
 07/03/2004 06:20:44 AM · #7
Yep. Sucks.
 07/03/2004 07:34:22 AM · #8
Tough lesson to learn when it costs you. But most people don't really give a damn about quality in prints, particularly 4x6's so are happy to print any old crap. You should get a lawyer and sue the place that printed them though...

You do have to balance that with the fact that couples looking to hire you don't particularly want to read a rant about copyright. and in fact, they probably want to see pictures you've taken at other weddings as samples of your work before considering you. If the first thing they find out is that you don't show your pictures, are uptight and litigious about the people who hire you and won't show them your pictures, they'll probably just move on to the next guy. Harsh but true.

The simplest solution is to put your company logo in a slightly intrusive way across the center of the image. Don't use 'proof' or something - put your marketing info there - if they steal it, the printer will know, if they print it themselves, you get free advertising at their expense. The trick is to get it intrusive enough to be visible, but not so intrusive that they can't tell if they want to buy the print or not.

There isn't any workable way to stop people downloading images from any web site - if you can see it, you can copy it - so you have to disrupt the image in some way.

Message edited by author 2004-07-03 13:34:41.
 07/03/2004 07:50:07 AM · #9
It totally bites that someone would do this to you. They really are assholes.

I guess you will be your first client when you pass that exam in a few weeks.

In a way it explains why she changed her mind on sizes. What a B&*%$.

*hug*

07/03/2004 08:56:49 AM · #10
Grrrrrrr..... you can only hope that the universe really does work on the premise that, what goes around, comes around.

What I do with mine if they are to be proofed on line, even paper proofs for that matter... I put a light but full image copyright notice across the entire image. Takes only a couple of minutes in photoshop. That way,, no stealling images.

I also use DIGIMARK, to digitally watermark every image I have on my website. They offer a tracking service that searches the web to see if anyone has misappropriated one of your shots. It's not cheap, but does offer some peace of mind and means to get your property back, or paid for.
07/03/2004 06:22:07 PM · #11
Originally posted by Gordon:
Tough lesson to learn when it costs you. But most people don't really give a damn about quality in prints, particularly 4x6's so are happy to print any old crap. You should get a lawyer and sue the place that printed them though...

You do have to balance that with the fact that couples looking to hire you don't particularly want to read a rant about copyright. and in fact, they probably want to see pictures you've taken at other weddings as samples of your work before considering you. If the first thing they find out is that you don't show your pictures, are uptight and litigious about the people who hire you and won't show them your pictures, they'll probably just move on to the next guy. Harsh but true.

The simplest solution is to put your company logo in a slightly intrusive way across the center of the image. Don't use 'proof' or something - put your marketing info there - if they steal it, the printer will know, if they print it themselves, you get free advertising at their expense. The trick is to get it intrusive enough to be visible, but not so intrusive that they can't tell if they want to buy the print or not.

There isn't any workable way to stop people downloading images from any web site - if you can see it, you can copy it - so you have to disrupt the image in some way.


I agree wholeheartedly with everything you said. I have begun the process of replacing the images online and will re-add the links asap. I want the pics online, but watermarked. I took down a VAST majority of the rant because I cooled off. it was actually down when I went to bed last night.

Thanks all - I am pretty sure this type of thing is what we call "a learning experience." I learned. I am ready to move past it and continue growing my tiny little poor folk business. :)

M
 07/03/2004 07:12:17 PM · #12
Just a bit of unsolicited advice -- take it for what it's worth to you.

The first two question and answer areas on your front page are rather combative. It is probably not the best option to start the relationship with your clients by putting down any alternative to hiring you; particularly when the alternatives you outline in those sections will most likely be your prospective clents friends or relatives.

The last one is good, more of that would be a much better way to go -- just concentrate on what you do, and let the client realize its a better alterantive.

David
Just my 2 cents, with a few grains of salt.
 07/03/2004 07:21:53 PM · #13
Originally posted by Britannica:

The first two question and answer areas on your front page are rather combative. It is probably not the best option to start the relationship with your clients by putting down any alternative to hiring you;


lol, i did think it was rather balsy to have any sort of reference to "F=@%=# Up Beyond All Recognition" on anypage also referencing marriage/weddings :)
 07/03/2004 07:32:18 PM · #14
btw mavrik, I'm curious to know what pixsize the pictures were that they were stealing off the site to print...I know some people are desperate to save a buck but I'm also surprised when I hear of someone printing a 4x6 using an 640x480 image!
 07/03/2004 10:09:34 PM · #15
You might want to check this out for the future
//www.digimarc.com
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 08/29/2025 10:45:12 AM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 08/29/2025 10:45:12 AM EDT.