There’s something I’ve sometimes felt challenged by in my blogging experience. I’m such a visual person, that often I’ve been focused and on the hunt for the just-right image I have in my mind. I have to say that in the past I’ve assumed that the sites I’ve been getting photographs from have all cited the correct source for their photographs. Obviously, I’ve been naive and wrong. More recently, I’ve been using original photography by myself. I can’t imagine how I would feel if I saw my work out there without any credit or link back to me.
Blogging ethics and appropriate credit for photography have been important topics on the blogosphere for a while. Grace at Design*Sponge had a series of very informative posts in February (biz ladies: online etiquette and ethics (part 1), biz ladies: online etiquette and ethics (part 2),biz ladies: online etiquette and ethics (part 3)) , followed by another post March 17th, 2011 (How to Credit? Just Check the Poster). Chelsea at {frolic!} has also written a great post, blog talk: crediting photos. If the original photographer’s information is not available, Chelsea suggests that we link to the publication or shop that it’s from. For more ideas read her great post. It’s been a few years since I began blogging and now I’m producing more original photography in almost every post, so I deeply understand the rights of artists to be properly credited for their vision and work. Enter this amazing poster, created by Pia, Erin, and Yvette. I love that is is so visual, perfect for me. Just follow the key, by asking yourself these simple questions.
Thanks for making it so clear for those of us who are visual bloggers, Pia of enhance the everyday, Erin of Design for Mankind, Yvette of Yvette van Boven. This poster is now available to purchase in fuchsia, deep sea, butterscotch and the above storm cloud . You can find more information The Mammoth Collection. I’ll be ordering mine soon.
Another resource to access information and show that you are considerate about giving credit is Link with Love.
The belief behind Link with Love is that by spreading the word about intellectual property we can help to ensure that proper credit is given for artist’s work. In other words if we know, then we can act appropriately on our given blogs, posts and pins. At Link with Love you are encouraged to join by following on facebook, twitter, and Pinterest and in turn to…
It is about accepting that we have a responsibility to know and understand about the original artistic credits and that they need to be given.
It is about respecting intellectual property rights belonging to ourselves and others and how they need to be credited accurately.
It is about protecting this right by being vigilant and watching out for the community online.
So I’ve followed on facebook, twitter, and Pinterest. I’ve placed a button on my blog sidebar.
I hope that, if one day, I see any of my photographs or collages on the internet they are credited back to me.
I hope that you too will take a look and make a thoughtful decision for yourself to Link with Love and credit where credit is due.
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Proper netiquette dictates that you do not copy a photograph without giving credit to the author, however, the law may be different. Graphics should be protected if you own them. There is a duty to protect your work. It is quite simple actually, but most people don’t do it.
Great post, thanks for sharing. I have found my photographs all over the net being “borrowed” by others for blogging, website or other purposes. I find them because I have been given photo credit. I still think it would be great if people asked for my permission before they used my images. I have had to turn a few down as their visions for the use of my photos didn’t match my vision and philosophies. Thanks again for the fab post.