I am thrilled that every now and then one of my images speaks to someone. In some cases just to admire, bringing a smile or spark of inspiration to the beholder.
In other cases my images speak to someone for some greater purpose which leads to periodic requests to use my images - from individuals wanting to frame a piece:
Individual purchased copy to frame
to companies using my image for their signage/business cards:
Crystal Moss company licensed for business cards and signage
to on-line companies wanting to use my image for a piece on their blog:
Full Circle Farm use in blog post
and even to big time magazines wanting to use an image for an advertisement:
Martha Stewart Living request permission to use in advertisement
In fact, I just received a request from Martha Stewart Living for the potential to buy one of my images. Formal request, legal exchange of documents etc. etc. (the RIGHT WAY)
How exciting and wonderful! But how in the world did they dig up an image that I took a few years ago, imbedded into a blog post with tags that didn't even describe this particular image?
After googling around a bit... I figured it out.
I found my image posted on someone else's blog.
My image.
No request to use my image.
No credit given to me.
(the WRONG WAY)
Do I really need to add watermarks to my images?
Doesn't everyone know that to use other people's words, images, artwork, intellectual property without their consent is stealing?
Have we become so accustomed to 'getting information for free' on the internet that we have lost sight of integrity, of common courtesy, of what is RIGHT and what is WRONG?
I would like to think better of people.
Fabulous update!
I contacted the blog author who profusely apologized. As I read through her words, it was obvious that she has high integrity, gives credit where it is due and had mistakenly left off the credit. She is updating her blog to link back to mine.
Goes to show, that most people do have integrity and good intentions.
Lesson to me - give people benefit of the doubt
What is your experience?
