PKR
Veteran
This afternoon I went looking for a couple of photographer's web pages that are known to me but not visited more than a couple of times a year. These are not commercial pages, but pages belonging to photographers whose work is exhibited. I found both pages had been redesigned recently. In both cases, they contained far fewer images and the file sizes were substantially smaller. I looked at several others and found similar changes. I didn't want to jump to any conclusions but, I'm wondering if Image Theft had anything to do with the changes?
In my case, because of image theft, I took down my web page several years ago. But, I felt my case was unique. Have others noticed this trend in a leaner web presence for some Photographers or Graphic Artists ?
In my case, because of image theft, I took down my web page several years ago. But, I felt my case was unique. Have others noticed this trend in a leaner web presence for some Photographers or Graphic Artists ?
Chris101
summicronia
Back when I had a photo display website, I did have some pictures appropriated for unauthorized use. Rather than get all huffy though, I linked to the pages where I found them. My favorite was the law firm that specialized in beryllium ambulance chasing. They stole a picture of a pure beryllium ball I had taken, and used it for the site theme picture. Kinda flattering! (I had made the picture for money, and had already been paid for it's non-exclusive use.)
PKR
Veteran
Jeez, a law firm, you think they would know better. I think I would have just sent them a bill for the usage.
I was really surprised to see one site, that had the photographer's work once categorized by country/project reduced to about 11 images. And those chosen weren't obviously his best, or best selling. These are often folks (Dr. McCoy) who can afford webmasters to deal with day to day maintains. In one other, any personal image site was removed, leaving gallery sites (many) to deal with the public.
In my case, I had photo students going through the studio dumpster and in one instance getting into our offices. But, that's quite unique I hope.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
One guy in Detroit area I know has his food photography stolen from Getsy for years. He managed to find it on web sites, with Getsy watermarks. For at least seven years now.
I think, in case like mentioned here it is more related to the fact what most web pages are checked from mobile phones. So, old versions most likely weren't good for mobile, but new ones are. And for mobile phones not so many photos are needed.
I think, in case like mentioned here it is more related to the fact what most web pages are checked from mobile phones. So, old versions most likely weren't good for mobile, but new ones are. And for mobile phones not so many photos are needed.
Dan
Let's Sway
How does one figure out if the pictures have been appropriated? Is there an automated method for looking thru the web ?
Talus
pan sin sal
Interesting food for thought. I've been gearing up to create a personal site with my work and have been considering some of these issues of unauthorized use. It'll be interesting to see where this conversation goes.
Talus
pan sin sal
You mean find if someone is using your image?
There's a "reverse image search" function that you can use through Google that will find where an image has been posted. I've never used it, but apparently it's pretty effective.
finguanzo
Well-known
Besides the stolen images one reason for the smaller sizes, at least in some stuff i have redesigned lately, is mostly for load times. People view sites with phones now, too long to load, people leave..
Talus
pan sin sal
I was late to the game in realizing this too. I recently did a crowdfunding campaign online and I built the campaign and viewed it through my laptop. After about a week I realized that the mobile interface might be different and sure enough it was drastically different. And, apparently, most people use their phones or tables for anything and everything online these days.
I can't stand staring at a tiny screen.
rbiemer
Unabashed Amateur
It works fairly well and there is another one I've used as well:
https://www.tineye.com/
Neither are especially automated--you need to search by your image and, I think, it's one image at a time.
I occasionally search some of mine but, as far as I can tell, none have been stolen for on line use. Oddly disappointed by that.
I did have one of my flicker photos stolen. That was an interesting conversation:
I was working and a stranger approached me while I was having a smoke break and asked me "Are you rbiemer?"
Me: "Yes."
Him: "I think I owe you some money>"
Me: "Err, what?"
Him: "I saw that firework photo you posted in Flickr and had a print made of it for my house. It's a great shot!"
Me: "Um...Thanks. What do you mean you had a print made?"
Him: "I just downloaded it and had a copy made so I could hang it over the couch in my TV room. It looks really good."
Me: "OK. You stole my photo but you want to make it right, cool. How much cash have you got on you? "
Him: "...What? You expect me to give you money?"
Me: "Well, you said you thought you owed me some, I think you're right. Call it $150 and we're good."
Him: "...I thought I was giving you a compliment. I already paid to have the thing printed and framed."
Me: "See, that's the thing. If you had contacted me and, oh, I don't know, asked me if you could get a copy of the photo to hang in your home, I would have said 'sure thing!', been flattered, AND given you a pretty high resolution scan. You didn't. You stole it, so pay me."
Him(as he walked away from me): "Geeze, try to say something nice to some people..."
After that, I did change the on line stuff I have to pretty low file sizes.
Rob
Talus
pan sin sal
Ha! Giving it to him straight New Yorker style. Love it.
Dan
Let's Sway
thanks for this info, Talus!
PKR
Veteran
There are several web based services and more showing up all the time. This outfit looks interesting:
https://pixsy.com/
My biggest problem is Chinese thieves. No way to stop them as our legal system has no value there. Be careful if sending any imagery to China for hand painting or tapestry production. You may find hundreds of your item for sale beyond your control.
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rscheffler
Well-known
Might also depend on the market the photographer is working in. My feeling, viewing fine art photographer websites, is there are a fair number with minimal images, small sizes and simple sites. Also true for galleries representing artists. Of course, it's not always the case but seems to be more common when the end product is a physical, limited edition image. This is in contrast to photographers dealing with the average person for things like weddings, events and portraits, where the viewing experience of their website is important to make a strong impression. Also, while those types of photos can be stolen and repurposed like any other photo, the photographers may consider those 'already paid for' by the original client and the loss a tradeoff against the need to effectively market oneself and keep the ball rolling (keep bookings coming in). Years ago wedding/portrait photographers relied a lot on post-event print sales whereas now payment is typically upfront with lower expectations of follow up print sales due to delivery of high resolution files to the clients. Once those are out in the wild on Facebook, etc., the photographer really has very little control over image use. Therefore it doesn't make a lot of sense to restrict the viewing experience for potential clients if the images are already out there somewhere at high resolution.
PKR
Veteran
I don't know the stats for the whole range of photo theft, but remember reading that wedding photographers are some of the hardest hit. What seems to take place is.. that a "photographer" wanting to enter the market, who has no experience or portfolio, creates a web page made up of images taken from other, successful photographer's, web sites. I think there is a whole web site devoted to wedding photo theft.
I can only speak for my self. My troubles come/came primary from photo students ripping my images for "projects". You may ask, how I was so stupid to have an image on the web big enough for printing? I didn't. The image(s) can be made from scans of gallery prints. Better Light photo scanning backs do a great job on flat art. This kind of image theft has been going on for years, long before the web existed. I once saw a nicely framed copy of Adams' Moonrise made by a frame shop owner, using an 8x10 camera and Kodalith. I bet this guy copied every photo of value that passed through his shop. Knockoffs were probably sold on a regular basis.
PKR
Veteran
John, I don't know if you've seen the "watermark removal tools" offered for sale these days? Some actually tell the perspective owner, in the web sales text, that he/she can remove any watermark from a lifted image. That statement has stayed with me.
Just a couple:
https://www.webinpaint.com/how-to-remove-watermark-from-photo
https://remove-watermark-pro.en.softonic.com/
From the sales text:
"
There's nothing more annoying than an image being marred by some kind of artefact be it a watermark date stamp or logo. Getting rid of them is very tricky and not something you can easily do yourself. Software like Remove Watermark Pro exists to do it for you using blending techniques to clear watermarks off images and restore as much of the original as possible.
Powerful but not infallible image cleaning
Remove Watermark Pro is a powerful tool as it should be for the price tag but not perfect. Large watermarks may still leave behind a blurry patch. Having said that this often looks better than the watermark itself and with small marks this software works wonders. You have a mixture of tools like a rectangular area a freehand selection or specific colour selection. After that you let the software do the rest so it's very easy to use. Removing date and time stamps is very easy and with a little luck it can even remove small objects from images.
Get rid of unsightly artefacts
Remove Watermark Pro is ideal for those times when you have a really nice photo but it's marred by a watermark or time stamp. You'll be surprised how well it can remove them and blend the background in though larger marks may leave some blurring. Best of all it's almost a one-click process.
about Remove Watermark Pro
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De_Corday
Eternal Student
Contarama
Well-known
I've had a few images taken by a Russian educational website. I figured I am just a hobbyist so if they were being used to educate people I am okay with that...but you professionals I totally understand your problem.
PKR
Veteran
The guys who really tick me off are those who steal your image, alter it very slightly in PS, and then copyright it as unique, under their name as their creation. Many of the local photo students do this kind of thing a lot. They think it's cool and legal.