I just wanted to give you all a heads-up about some issues that have been slightly irritating to me over the past few weeks. It's come to my attention that some of my images have been taken from my site and used on other blogs without a credit back to me. While I know that there is a ton of "sharing" on the internet when it comes to images, I think it's VERY uncool, and really rude, to use an image that is clearly mine (taken with my own camera--not a stock image of a product from a manufacturer) and not credit that image back to me. It's sort of like taking a picture off my desk of my family and putting it on YOUR desk, making everyone believe it's YOUR family. Same kind of thing, as far as I'm concerned (especially if you knew how long it takes me to take photographs of the products I review, and how much cropping and adjusting are sometimes called for. It's a lengthy process and I consider each of my images my own personal "creation").
So if you're going to use one of my images, you don't have to email me first for permission, you just need to credit me on your blog with a link back to my original post (the post you got the image from in the first place). That's it! Pretty simple.
But just in case you don't credit me, from here on out, I'm going to add the dreaded watermark to all of the images that I have taken with my own camera. I promise it won't be obnoxious (part of the reason I have not used a watermark in the past is because some of theme can really get in the way of your view of the product and some are just down right obnoxious). I've tried to make my watermark as subtle and as unobtrusive as it can be, and I hope it doesn't bother any of you.
Oh, and while we're at it, it's also been brought to my attention that someone has actually taken some of the GRAPHICS from my site (in particular, the "Wait! There's more..." button on the bottom of this page). I created that graphic myself, so it's really not cool for you to take it without asking me first (the funny thing is, if you had asked me first, I would have probably been so flattered that I might have said sure, go ahead and use it!). If any of you loyal Nouveau Cheap readers out there happen to see my graphics or photographs on another site, would you kindly email me and let me know where you saw them? Thank you so much!
I put a lot of time and effort into making Nouveau Cheap the best it can be, and all I ask is that you credit me if you use my images.
End of rant. :)
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
19 comments
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Jerks! I don't know why people don't give credit for stuff or ASK, it's not that hard...
ReplyDeletethat IS wack! it only takes a min to share a link. it's a matter of paying it forward & sharing the source. agreed! "NOT COOL!". it takes a considerable amt of x to blog. some people just don't get it. {cyber hugs}
ReplyDeleteWow, how rude and utterly lame those guilty people are. I totally understand, especially how much time you can spend on editing the pictures. While I agree that watermarking is sometimes obnoxious, it won't exactly prevent people from stealing your images. I've seen people blatantly using images from other blogs/people on their blogs, in addition to eBay auction listings. Super lame!
ReplyDeleteP.S. You're one classy chicka for not calling out those people who've stolen your images.
I don't understand why people don't link back... I like linking back whenever I use someones picture, so everyone else can see the cool blog too :)
ReplyDeleteActually, you should just go ahead and watermark your images. It will save you much headache in the future as people will still take images without asking permission. At least, if you have the watermark, it will be known that the image isn't theirs.
ReplyDeleteAs a photographer, I NEVER upload an image online without my watermark. Because of this, I have never had a problem with my images being stolen.
That is so rude! I will definitely let you know if I see anything on other sites!
ReplyDeleteAww, that is so rude and lazy of people to steal your stuff! I know how long it takes to get good pics from personal experience blogging and selling on eBay & craigslist. It is super time consuming! Just not cool. :(
ReplyDeleteLyssachelle: Thanks so much for your support, honey. :)
ReplyDelete1xellus1: *hugs back* thank you, honey. It feels great to hear from someone who truly understands where I'm coming from. xo
libbeh: Oh believe me, I know the watermark won't stop thieves, but at least everyone who sees those images will know where they came from, right? Unless they're really BIG rats and take the time to photoshop them out. Sometimes, you just can't win, but at least a watermark will make it a bit of a pain for them (as opposed to not having one at all). And thank you so much. :)
Heather: I totally agree! If I were to use an image from another blogger, I would WANT to link back and share the love. There are so many great blogs out there...it's wonderful to spread the word! :)
Nikita: I completely agree with you! I know it won't stop someone who really wants to use my image, but at least the world will know where they got it, right? :) I just never wanted to "disrupt" the image itself with a watermark, but now...I really have no choice. Oh well!
PCS: Thank you so much for havin' my back, sweetheart. *hugs* xo
JenJen: Totally agree--it's rude and lazy for sure. Thanks so much for empathizing! I really appreciate it, honey! :)
that is so unkind of them. it must be how great your photos look, especially with the lightbox. i'm really sorry you've been experiencing this robbery!!!
ReplyDeletealso, i have never seen your images on anyone's blog, but if i did, i'd tell you and then never visit them again. ditto for anyone else's watermarked images or stolen pics. i don't run a beauty blog but i can imagine how much effort you put into this sweet site!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear they are stealing your creations. You are an artist in your own write(play on words)! You are creative in your writing and to have someone come by and just "lift" your work stinks! Don't worry, when someone sees your work, they will know the other person is a thief, and who wants to know what someone like that thinks or even has to say. Certainly not me! You show your talent each and every day to us. That's why we keep coming back to see what you have to say. Keep on doing what you've been doing and let those "thieves" be hanged.
ReplyDeleteThat's just flat out tacky and it makes me mad that someone would do that to you. People are lazy and instead of taking their own pics they steal others. I have a degree in photography and it makes me sick when people don't give others credit where credit is due. I hope whoever did this sees your post.
ReplyDeleteThis happened to me recently so I know exactly how you feel.
ReplyDeleteThere is so much that goes into a blog and to have someone just 'take' what they want is just plain horrible.
wow, that's really rude whoever did that! where's the R-E-S-P-E-C-T? find out what it means to me!
ReplyDeletethat really sucks.
ReplyDeletethis kind of thing runs so rampant across the internet.
and yes it sucks to have the watermark because to me it takes something away from the picture but i guess ya gotta do what ya gotta do...
Just wanted to let you know that I used info from your site & gave credit back to you with a link. Is that alright?
ReplyDeleteSorry that happened to you! It's very easy to give credit and/or link back to the original photo owner.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking of doing the watermark thingy, but honestly have been too lazy to look how to do it...
I doubt that people will stop stealing your pics though, because that's the world we live in these days. But with a watermark at least whoever sees the photo will know who the original owner is.
I noticed earlier in the week that someone was stealing my content -- word for word -- and not linking back to my blog at all. In fact, in one instance, the person even spelled my blog's name wrong. I was super furious. Since then, my content has been taken down. How did I find out? Google Alerts. I don't know how well it works for images, but it's great for text. I highly advise you check it out.
ReplyDeletebeautifulmonday: You are an absolute sweetheart! Thank you so much for the kind words, and for having my back! You have no idea how much I appreciate that. xoxo
ReplyDeleteLysses: OMG, I am speechless! I just cannot thank you enough for your comment. I work so hard on this blog, so knowing that you appreciate it truly means the world to me. xoxo
Tropical Mind: Thank you so much, honey!! I really hope you're right, and that the people who did this read this and feel a little bit guilty for it! :)
Lipstick Rules: I am so sorry this happened to you too! Man, that is just the worst. I've had my text stolen many, many times, which is bad enough, but now my photos and graphics too? Sheesh!
wingsinheaven: Exactly!!! :D
Goody: Believe me, I don't like the watermarks either, but I'm left with no choice. If people didn't steal, I would remove the watermarks ASAP. But if they keep doing it, I have to mark my images as my own. :(
JPScraps: I am absolutely fine with that--in fact, I'm honored!! You did it the exact right way, and I would NEVER be upset with you for it! I truly consider that the greatest compliment of all, and I'm thankful for your shout-out! xo
Mocha Mish Mash: Yeah, it's a pain to add the watermark, but for me, I just can't stand knowing my images are out there with no credit given to me. So I had to do it. :( And agreed--it won't stop people, but at least the world will know where the images came from! :)
lisa: Yep, I have google alerts set up and I catch sites using my text ALL the time. Usually they're just splogs (I HATE splogs!!) but sometimes it's legit sites, which really drives me crazy. :(