So...looking for some advice from the flist.

[webbgirl]

As you guys know I posted pics and links to pics I'd taken yesterday at The Grove.  As I stated I'm fine with folks using them and sharing them as long as they let me know.  The problem is, I'm now finding them ALL OVER THE PLACE with no reference back to me whatsoever.

I love taking pictures.  I love sharing pictures.  I love that *I'm* actually really happy with how many of these turned out (that's not always the case even when other folks like them).  I just...I feel torn.  One part of me says "no big deal".  It's not like this is something I make money off of so it's not really taking anything away.  The other part of me says "screw that, they're your pictures".  I'm considering doing watermarks on pics from here on out.  Especially ones which might be of fannish interest.

Any thoughts?  Am I overreacting?  Do I really just need some caffeine and a long walk?

Comments

[sjh2009]

I would feel a little put out too, you've kindly shared your pictures and people should at least give you, the photographer, credit of they repost them. I don't think you'd be overreacting if you watermarked them.

[barometry]

I don't think you're overreacting at all, and I think watermarking photos is a totally reasonable response to people taking your photos without credit.

Sorry people suck, sometimes.

[tropicsbear]

Seconding.

[maiea]

I would totally watermark photos...

[sharp2799]

People should credit. Period.

I'd watermark but also keep un-watermarked versions for trusted friends who want to make icons or just keep them on their computer (with credit!).

:D

[jedishadowolf.livejournal.com]

A small watermark in the corner sounds like a good idea to me. I snagged two of them just for myself, but I can totally see being upset that no one's pointing back to where they got them from.

[webbgirl.livejournal.com]

I think it's the fact that I'm finding them being reposted from random tumblr and even a media site that is irritating. I'm fine with fannish folks grabbing for themselves though. I guess that's where I get a bit wishy washy on it.

[djmicheals-fics.livejournal.com]

While I'm all for caffeine and a long walk, I don't think you are overreacting. You are doing a service and people should link back to you if for no other reason than to say you created the art.

JMHO.

[malnpudl.livejournal.com]

While I can appreciate your feelings about this -- similar things happened when I posted my Stargate con pics some years back -- I don't think it's realistic to expect to see credit everywhere you see your pics.

More than likely, everyone who saw them on your post(s) and then reposted did, indeed, give you credit. The problem is what happens after that. People see the secondary postings and they don't know you or don't see the request for credit or simply don't read the text at all and just snag the pics, and from there on out, the association with you is simply gone. And they spread without attribution all over the place.

I don't know that there's a good answer. I think it's just the way fandom happens.

[iamwintermute]

nope, not unreasonable at all! I do it for most of my stuff, fannish or not.

for me, its not about credits. I do what I love, and I could give a flying fuck about whether people credits me or not - as long as they're not stealing it and claiming it as theirs. What erks me more is the misuse of my stuff - watermarks can help with that some what, so imho, it's ok :)

[wadjet-theperv.livejournal.com]

They're great pics :) Very tasty. The thing is, you did ask if they could at least let you know, and that's completely reasonable. The people who haven't have been incredibly rude and unfortunately there are plenty of folks around like that.

I'd watermark. Go with the 'screw that'. The people sharing don't necessarily know that you're not making any money.

Or maybe I need to have less caffeine lol

[as524.livejournal.com]

will admit to snagging a couple for myself - even though they'll go no where but on my screensaver....that being said, I do get your feelings...the hothead part of me says you are more han right to put some type of identifying mark on your stuff. maybe I'll have a different opinion once i have some coffee (on your behalf of course)

[silvertales.livejournal.com]

I'm all for caffeine and long walks on general principle, but in this case I hardly think you're overreacting.

I'm sure all the people who follow you and snagged and reposted the pictures did credit you, it's probably the people who follow THEM and didn't credit. Perhaps a watermark in a corner isn't a bad idea. After all, you dragged your butt down to the Grove and stood in the crowd and heat to take the pictures, the least people can do is take a moment to appreciation your efforts.

[captain-tiv.livejournal.com]

Watermark them. If they're hotlinking them, maybe there's a way to stop them? That eats at your bandwidth if they are. Or, if they are hotlinking them, just replace them with a rather obscure or humorous picture with the same file name. ::vbeg:: Maybe it could have text in it that says, "I'm a hotlinking picture thief."

It seems as more time passes, netiquette is getting tossed out the window as the new generations of websurfers start to get into cyberspace.

[wadjet-theperv.livejournal.com]

*shakes head* Kids today .... ;)

[taylorgibbs.livejournal.com]

Watermarking is a good thing! I save pix to my hard drive in a folder with the photographer's name. If I ever do anything with them, I know where to credit. I'm so sorry this happened to you, and I absolutely do NOT think you are overreacting.

When I was working with musicians, I photographed a few shows and one of the musicians "appropriated" one of my pictures for a limited edition cd release. No credit no...nothing. I was furious and still am and it has been over 10 years.

[tinlizzie82.livejournal.com]

I think you could strike a happy medium by doing something not too obtrusive in a corner. That way, people with good intentions could use them without anything being obscured but you would be assured of at least the watermark crediting you. Of course unscrupulous users might crop it out but I would hope they would be few and far between.

[ferneberga.livejournal.com]

Hi,
I've got some photos from that day on the MW site I administer and credit has been given in the description to Wgirl34 - I don't know if that's you or not, but the member who posted them said she asked for permission but never got a reply.
Here's the link so you can check all photos by Wgirl34 are credited in the Description - if this is you and credit to you is missing in any tell me and I will happily add or delete the photos if you prefer.

http://michaelweatherly.wetpaint.com/photos/album/191160/At+the+Grove+16%2F04%2F2011/photo/12019484/%22Extra!+at+the+Grove%22

By the way, I think watermarking your photos is a good idea, I add my initials in the corner of any artwork I do for the same reason - so you are NOT overreacting at all, quite the opposite.

Hugs