time to time i encounter people who tells me how to download software from free
site by doing this or doing that to utilize loop holes in the system to use it...

although it is fascinating to hear how one can find the loop hole and way around
not to purchase the book or software, I'm not so comfortable doing exactly the
things I may try to prevent in, hopefully, near future. As a photographer, who is a
seriously pursuing to get published some day - although it may never happen, I
would be pissed off if someone distribute my work over the internet so people can
make unauthorized copy over and over. It would also prevent me from creating
and pursuing for better work in the future. It would even discourage me from
taking another photo distrusting internet community.

if you do feel same way, post up. i'm just hoping that i'm not the only one.

 

Here is my take on it.

First of all, there are WAAAAAY too many people calling themselves photographers. Just because one owns an SLR, that doesn't make them a photographer. It makes them a hobbyist. What MAKES a photographer (a professional term) is money. Simple as that. When someone pays you for your services, you are a photographer (good or not.)

Now, a lot of people online are butthurt when someone uses their images. Now, lets get one thing straight....were you going to make money off that photo? 9.9 times out of 10, no you were not. If someone is using my photo to review a lens, I could care less. I don't post my professional shots online (shots I was paid for.) If someone is using a bird photo I took in editorial context, I could care less. I usually email asking them to credit the photo, and that's it. 9 times out of 10, they oblige.

Now, if a COMPANY is using a photo of yours for advertising purposes, then that's a different ballgame. Get a lawyer and sue them. If you just send a C&D letter, they are just going to remove the photo, and you are stuck with a thumb up your ass, and no money.

Also, never establish a value, but telling them how much they owe you. If you do so, you will get get a lawyer to represent you.

 

Paul,

I may agree in principle, but I also see Dave's point. Do I have the same aspirations as you, I don't think I do.

I see myself as a hobbyist, which an occassional small check. I enjoy what I do, the different perspective it gives me when I travel or drive around, or a opportunity I might not have if I didn't have a camera with me.

I post samples of my trips and shoots in a public gallery. In a way, its flattering for someone to use my shot for something that is relatively harmless. As Dave said, if it was used for advertising or something they claim as their's, thats a different story.

If you're going to get discouraged and stop shooting, I think thats wrong. If you're considering it a business venture, then you need to defend that business like you would any other. That takes time, effort and sometimes money.

 

I've had my photos taken, cropped, and reposted for commercial use.. and I stumbled upon it by chance.. There are low-life people in this world that have, and will continue to steal property which is copyrighted, legally copyrighted, not just tagged.. and THAT is theivery.

 

dave & gary,

my point is not someone stealing my image. i agree with you. get
some credit or just stay bitter. it's your choice but as a "photographer"
if you use pirated software or distribute it, obviously, you are
not respecting other people's work. at same time, would you expect
others to respect your work?

I would look for cheaper way to buy the software or book but not
illegally obtain it. i'm wondering who else feels that "if one wants others
to respect one's work, one should respect others first."

 

^I agree completely. I only use software that I purchased not only because of legal ramifications, but at the same time, it would be hypocritical to expect that others respect my work if I was taking that of others.

 

Ah Paul, I may have misinterpreted what you meant.

I'm fortunate, many of the apps we use at work allow a home copy as well, so I'm usually in compliance, or use my laptop to use apps distributed at work.

I'll go back to the same concept - if its a business you're running, and want it to be legit - then you're right, pay for everything you need.

 

I 100% agree. Always found it funny about people bitching that their photo is being used without their permission, but they edited it on a hacked copy of CS4.

 

great to see at least few other people agrees with me.

 

Stealing is wrong regardless so i know im doing the wrong thing. Though i don't feel guilty at all when I (a hobbyist) gets a pirated/hacked copy of CS4/Adobe Bridge/Lightroom/Photomatix or anything else. Its not like there losing money...they just aren't making as much as they should. I'm sure adobe isn't struggling to pay their rent.

I doubt many would say "no thanks" if i handed them my copies of CS4+Lightroom for their personal use.