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imgpanda · 7 months

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Shutterstock Watermark Vanishing Act

1. Introduction

Welcome to our blog post on the intriguing topic of the "Shutterstock Watermark Vanishing Act." Shutterstock, one of the most renowned platforms for high-quality stock photos, has employed watermarks as a means of protecting their valuable content. These watermarks are placed on their images to prevent unauthorized usage and distribution. In this article, we will delve into the world of watermarks, understanding how they function, their importance, and the methods that some individuals employ to remove them – the so-called "vanishing act." We'll also discuss the legal and ethical implications surrounding the removal of watermarks, as well as address some frequently asked questions to provide a comprehensive overview of this topic. So, whether you're a curious photographer, a graphic designer, or simply someone interested in the digital protection of visual content, keep reading to discover the secrets behind the Shutterstock watermark vanishing act.

2. Understanding Watermarks

Watermarks are a fundamental component of the digital content protection landscape. They are visible patterns or text that are overlaid onto digital images, often semi-transparent, to serve multiple purposes:

Understanding Watermarks - Deterrence: The primary function of watermarks is to deter unauthorized use or distribution of digital content. When potential infringers see a watermark, they are less likely to misuse the image or claim it as their own. - Ownership Identification: Watermarks typically contain information about the copyright holder or content creator. This serves as a clear indicator of the image's ownership and rights. - Promotion: Some watermarks include branding or website information, allowing content creators to promote their work even when it's shared online. Shutterstock, being a leading stock photo provider, employs watermarks on their images as a means of protecting the rights of contributors and their own platform. Understanding these watermarks is crucial for both content creators and users of the platform. Types of Watermarks Watermarks can be categorized into two main types: - Opaque Watermarks: These are more visible and obstruct the view of the image. They are usually used for copyright and ownership identification. - Semi-Transparent Watermarks: These watermarks are less obtrusive and do not significantly impact the visibility of the image. They are often used for promotional purposes but still convey ownership information. Shutterstock employs semi-transparent watermarks that strike a balance between protecting the image and allowing potential customers to preview it. This ensures that the watermark serves its purpose without overly detracting from the image's visual appeal. Watermark Placement The placement of watermarks can vary, but they are commonly found in the lower right or left corner of an image. This placement allows viewers to assess the image's content and quality while still recognizing the presence of a watermark. In conclusion, understanding the purpose and types of watermarks is essential when dealing with digital images, especially on platforms like Shutterstock. These watermarks are not only a means of protection but also a way to attribute ownership and promote the creative work of contributors.

3. The Importance of Watermarks

The significance of watermarks in the world of digital content cannot be overstated. Here, we'll explore why these unobtrusive markings are crucial for content creators, platforms like Shutterstock, and the wider online community.

The Importance of Watermarks 1. Content Protection Watermarks are the first line of defense against unauthorized use and distribution of digital content. They act as a deterrent, dissuading potential infringers from stealing or misusing images. The knowledge that a watermark exists serves as a warning that the image is protected by copyright, which can deter illegal downloads and usage. 2. Copyright Attribution For content creators, watermarks provide a clear means of attributing ownership. The inclusion of a watermark with essential copyright information ensures that even when an image is shared or used elsewhere, the original creator is recognized. This attribution can lead to opportunities for recognition and further work for the creator. 3. Branding and Promotion Watermarks are not just about protection; they also serve as a branding tool. Content creators can include their logo, website, or social media handles within the watermark. This promotes their brand and directs interested parties back to their work. It's a subtle way to gain exposure and recognition in the digital world. 4. Trust and Quality Assurance For platforms like Shutterstock, where customers pay for high-quality images, watermarks instill trust. They allow customers to preview the image's content while knowing that the final purchase will be watermark-free. This builds trust that customers will receive the image in the promised quality upon purchase. 5. Legal Standing Watermarks have legal significance. In the event of copyright disputes, the presence of a watermark can be a crucial piece of evidence. It demonstrates that the content was copyrighted and the rights were clearly stated. In legal proceedings, watermarks can support claims of ownership. 6. Ethical Considerations There's an ethical dimension to watermarks as well. Content users should respect the rights of creators and the platforms hosting the content. Removing or altering watermarks is often considered unethical and can lead to legal consequences. 7. Platform Sustainability For platforms like Shutterstock, the presence of watermarks helps sustain the business model. Revenue generated from the sale of watermark-free images supports content creators and the platform's operations. This, in turn, ensures the availability of a wide range of high-quality content for users. Watermarks are not merely digital signatures; they are integral to maintaining the balance between content protection, recognition, and ethical use. Understanding their importance is essential for all parties involved in the creation, distribution, and usage of digital content.

4. How Shutterstock Watermarks Work

Shutterstock watermarks are a key feature of their platform, ensuring the protection of valuable visual content. Let's delve into the mechanics of how these watermarks operate and what makes them effective: Watermark Design Shutterstock watermarks are thoughtfully designed to strike a balance between protection and visibility. They are typically semi-transparent and strategically positioned to provide a preview of the image's content while still making it clear that the image is watermarked. This design helps protect the image's integrity while allowing potential customers to assess its quality. Watermark Information The watermark contains copyright information, including the contributor's name and Shutterstock's logo. This information serves two primary purposes: - Ownership Attribution: The inclusion of the contributor's name ensures that the image's creator is recognized, even when the image is shared or used elsewhere. - Platform Identification: The Shutterstock logo reinforces the image's origin, assuring customers that they are previewing content from a trusted source. Image Protection Shutterstock watermarks are a form of digital rights management (DRM). They are embedded into the image's digital file. While this may not prevent unauthorized downloads, it plays a crucial role in copyright protection: - Visual Deterrent: The watermark's presence is a visual deterrent. It signals to potential infringers that the image is copyrighted and should not be used without proper licensing. - Lawsuit Support: In the event of copyright infringement, the watermark acts as evidence of the image's copyright status, which can support legal claims and settlements. Watermark Removal Prevention Shutterstock employs techniques to make it challenging for individuals to remove watermarks from images. While no system is entirely foolproof, they utilize algorithms that recognize and flag images with removed or altered watermarks. This helps deter and identify potential infringements. Purchase and Licensing Shutterstock offers users the option to purchase images without watermarks. These licensed images are provided in high resolution and without any obstructive markings. This is where the watermark's purpose transitions from protection to promotion, as users can access the image in its full quality for their creative projects. In summary, Shutterstock watermarks are strategically designed to protect the copyright of content creators while providing potential customers with a glimpse of the image's content. Their presence serves as a visual deterrent, an attribution tool, and a legal support in the fight against unauthorized usage, reinforcing the importance of proper licensing for high-quality content.

5. Vanishing Act: Removing Watermarks

The act of removing watermarks from images is a controversial and, in many cases, illegal practice. While watermarks are designed to protect the rights of content creators and platforms like Shutterstock, some individuals attempt to bypass these safeguards. Here, we'll explore the methods employed to remove watermarks and the associated legal and ethical implications. Methods of Removing Watermarks Individuals seeking to remove watermarks often resort to several methods, but it's essential to note that attempting to remove watermarks without proper authorization is generally considered unethical and can lead to legal consequences. Method Description 1. Manual Editing Some may attempt to manually edit the watermark using image editing software. This can involve cloning or healing tools to cover the watermark with elements from the image. 2. Cropping Cropping is another method used to remove watermarks. By removing a portion of the image, the watermark may be excluded. However, this significantly reduces the image's original resolution and composition. 3. Watermark Removal Software Various software tools claim to remove watermarks from images. These tools often use algorithms to analyze and eliminate the watermark. However, they are not always successful and can lead to a loss in image quality. Legal and Ethical Implications Removing watermarks from images is a practice that raises significant legal and ethical concerns: - Copyright Infringement: Removing a watermark may constitute a violation of the creator's copyright, resulting in legal action. - Loss of Attribution: Removing a watermark deprives the content creator of attribution, which is essential for recognition and future work opportunities. - Platform Policies: Most image-sharing platforms, including Shutterstock, strictly prohibit the removal of watermarks. Violating these policies can lead to account suspension or legal consequences. - Erosion of Trust: The practice of removing watermarks erodes trust within the creative community, making it more challenging for creators to share their work without concerns of theft. It's essential to emphasize that the removal of watermarks is neither ethical nor legal. Content creators invest their time, talent, and resources into producing valuable content, and watermarks are a fundamental tool to protect their rights. To maintain a healthy and ethical online ecosystem, it's crucial to respect copyright and the integrity of watermarked content. In the next section, we will address frequently asked questions related to watermarks and their removal, shedding further light on this contentious topic.

6. Legal and Ethical Implications

When it comes to the removal of watermarks from images, there are substantial legal and ethical implications that should not be taken lightly. Understanding these consequences is vital for both content users and creators: Legal Consequences Removing watermarks from images can have severe legal repercussions: - Copyright Infringement: Watermarks are a clear indicator of copyright ownership. Removing them without proper authorization constitutes copyright infringement, which is subject to legal action, including potential lawsuits and financial penalties. - Violation of Platform Policies: Most image-sharing platforms have strict policies against the removal of watermarks. Violating these policies can result in account suspension or banning from the platform. - Lawsuits and Damages: Content creators have legal rights to protect their work. When their watermarked content is used without permission, they have the option to pursue legal action, which may lead to financial damages awarded against the infringer. Ethical Considerations The ethical implications of removing watermarks are equally important: - Respect for Creators: Content creators invest their time, talent, and resources in producing valuable content. Removing watermarks shows a lack of respect for their efforts and can hinder their ability to earn a living from their work. - Loss of Attribution: Watermarks provide a means for creators to receive recognition for their work. Removing watermarks erases this attribution, making it difficult for creators to gain exposure and opportunities in the industry. - Trust in the Community: The act of removing watermarks erodes trust within the creative community. It fosters an environment of suspicion and theft, making it challenging for creators to share their work openly and collaborate with others. Best Practices For those involved in the use of watermarked content, it's essential to follow best practices: - Respect Copyright: Always respect copyright and intellectual property rights. Seek proper licensing and permissions to use watermarked content. - Support Content Creators: Support content creators by properly attributing their work and purchasing licensed content when required. - Report Violations: If you come across instances of watermark removal or misuse of watermarked content, report them to the platform or copyright holder. This helps maintain the integrity of the creative ecosystem. It is crucial to understand that removing watermarks is not just a violation of legal rights; it's a breach of trust and respect within the creative community. To foster a healthy and ethical digital environment, it is incumbent on all users to recognize and uphold the rights and efforts of content creators. In the final section, we will address frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to watermarks and their implications to provide further clarity on this subject.

7. FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Here, we address common questions and concerns related to watermarks, their removal, and the broader implications for the creative community: 1. What is the purpose of watermarks on images? Watermarks are used to protect the copyright and ownership of digital content. They also serve as a visual deterrent to unauthorized use and provide attribution to content creators. 2. Can I remove watermarks from images for personal use? No, removing watermarks from images, even for personal use, may still constitute copyright infringement and is generally considered unethical and legally questionable. 3. Are there legal ways to obtain watermark-free images? Yes, you can legally obtain watermark-free images by purchasing licenses from platforms like Shutterstock. These licenses grant you the right to use the content without watermarks for your specific needs. 4. What are the potential legal consequences of removing watermarks? The legal consequences of removing watermarks can include copyright infringement lawsuits, financial penalties, and account suspensions or bans from image-sharing platforms. 5. Why is it important to respect watermarks and copyright? Respecting watermarks and copyright is crucial to maintain a fair and ethical creative ecosystem. It supports content creators, promotes trust, and ensures the protection of intellectual property rights. 6. Can watermarks be easily removed using software? While some software tools claim to remove watermarks, they are not always successful, and the results can lead to a loss of image quality. Furthermore, using such tools may have legal and ethical implications. These frequently asked questions address common concerns related to watermarks and their implications. If you have additional questions or need further information, please feel free to reach out to us for more guidance and clarification.

8. Conclusion

In this comprehensive exploration of the "Shutterstock Watermark Vanishing Act," we've delved into the intricate world of watermarks, understanding their purpose, significance, and the mechanisms behind Shutterstock's watermarking system. We've also examined the controversial practice of removing watermarks and the legal and ethical implications associated with it. It's clear that watermarks play a vital role in the protection of digital content. They serve as a deterrent against unauthorized use, provide attribution to content creators, and support trust within the creative community. Shutterstock's watermarks, strategically designed, allow users to preview content while respecting the rights of contributors. Removing watermarks, however, is a practice that raises substantial legal and ethical concerns. It can lead to copyright infringement, loss of attribution for creators, and erosion of trust within the creative ecosystem. It's important to emphasize that respecting copyright and watermark integrity is essential for a fair and ethical digital environment. We encourage all users, whether content creators or consumers, to uphold the rights and efforts of creators, support ethical practices, and promote a trustworthy and respectful creative community. Watermarks are a tool for safeguarding the creative industry, and their significance should not be underestimated. For more information, questions, or discussions on this topic, please feel free to reach out. We hope this article has shed light on the importance of watermarks in the digital world and the need to respect and protect the intellectual property of content creators. Read the full article

#copyrightprotection #CreativeCommons #DigitalAssets #imagelicensing #Photography #Shutterstock #StockImages #VisualContent #Watermark

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elephantbitterhead · 2 years

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While enduring Etsy & Google’s unwillingness to accept that Jesús Helguera is not in fact the son of the lord, my eyes were blighted by this work.

#there's a lot to discuss here #but my particular beef has to do with those afterthought hands on Christ #even if I was willing to overlook the rest of this nonsense #I could never get past those hotdog fingers & their cartoon fingernails #I'd also like to point out #that this is another example #supporting my theory that there's an inverse relationship between #the quality of a work & the obtrusiveness of the watermarking #I feel pretty sure no one's appropriating this image #for anything other than comedy purposes

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unikhroma · 2 years

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[i wrote this earlier and have decided to post it now]

as a reminder.. please don't use my art for anything (reposting, edits, rp accounts, etc), other than maybe your phone bg or your icon on a personal account, like discord or a private twittter. even still i ask that you only do it if you give credit.

it's been a hard process over the years fighting my paranoia enough to share as much of my work as i do now, and to have my watermark be as unobtrusive as it is now (believe it or not it was way more obtrusive before).

i've made a lot of progress on feeling better about this kind of thing. please don't make me regret being more open. thank you

#harvey's new text tag

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cold-neon-ocean · 2 years

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Just for that, I'm gonna make the watermarks on my art even more obtrusive and obnoxious so congratulations anon LMAOO

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chaoskirin · 4 years

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god dammit people, STOP REPOSTING ART.

Generally I’m pretty good with figuring out reposts (with or without credit--if you DON’T HAVE PERMISSION, don’t repost the art--even with credit!!!!!) but I missed one.

Do you see what happens when you repost art? You take the attention from the artist and you put it on yourself. This leads to missed commissions, misattributions, or the artist themself being accused down the line of stealing their own art when it’s found by fans of the repost.

Apparently this image is very regularly stolen and reposted. The original post no longer exists, and generally artists do this with art that isn’t credited, then start watermarking their art in obtrusive places. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen an artist start heavily watermarking the faces of their art out of necessity.

Thankfully someone caught this relatively early in the cycle and notified people in the notes that it’s stolen art. However, I’ve seen images with hundreds or even thousands of reblogs where the person who posted the art was not the artist. Don’t do this!

#PSA #art theft #don't steal art you fuckers #related

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mcforwhatiam · 3 years

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Ok I hit the jackpot of blue tank top photos with less obtrusive watermarks. Not sure if anyone even following all this haha but will post later.

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trekronorline · 7 years

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Hey, I love your posts but... even though you linked them as the source, I don't think it's really cool you cropped the RMNB watermark off? I mean, it's there for a reason, and it's not obtrusive. I do get sometimes editing a picture's dimensions/colors for a set and crediting the source, but... I dunno, maybe some kind of separate post mentioning it if you do a bunch of them? Otherwise, I do love your stuff, but this seemed unlike you, since you're great about crediting usually.

yeah it was for dimensions, didnt really think about it sorry. not gonna happen again.

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siliconwebx · 5 years

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8 Great Watermark Apps to Protect Your Photos and Videos

Content theft is a real issue for anyone who posts photos or videos online. When someone can easily right-click/save as and do what they want with your creations, you need to take some precautions so that you get credit for your work. Even YouTube videos aren’t safe from people who really want to pull them offline. However, one of the easiest and simplest ways of protecting your content is to watermark it. These days, it’s actually pretty quick and painless to do, so let’s look at the top options and choose the right watermark app for you.

1. Snagit

Snagit isn’t a watermark app by itself, but it has one included as a feature. It’s easy to do, and you get a good number of options to choose from. You don’t overlay a logo or text itself so much as Snagit converts the image or logo you choose into a transparent watermark that you can style it to be embossed or faded (or any other number of things) before placing it unobtrusively on your image. You get a ton of control over every aspect of your image editing with Snagit, so it’s worth checking out. Especially if you need more than simple watermarking. It’s not necessarily cost-effective for just that feature, but when added in when everything else, it’s worth every penny.

Price: $49.95 | More information

2. Watermark X

Watermark X is one of the easier apps to use for watermarking. It has a number of templates to choose from so you can pop one on and get to sharing, but you can also do a lot of editing and customization to those watermarks to show your location data, as well as change opacity, color, and anything else you’d need to make the watermark not detract from the beauty of the content that it’s protecting. It’s free for a limited time, then you have to subscribe to continue to use the app.

Price: Free for a limited time | More information

3. My Watermarks

This app’s claim to fame is in its text recognition ability. While you get the same features as other watermark apps, including opacity control, color, placement, etc., My Watermarks has a feature for you to scan your own signature (really, handwritten text) to make an even more personal watermark for your photos and videos. Instead of having a handwriting script or a sterile and unfeeling sans serif font letting people know you own the content, just sign your name like the artist you are, and no one will think twice about it.

Price: Free | More information

4. Salt

Salt is an all-in-one mobile photo editor that specializes in cropping, resizing, and watermarking your content. With just a few swipes and clicks, you’ve protected your stuff from thieves. You can both create a text watermark with Salt, and you can also import a logo image of your own to overlay.

Price: Free | More information

5. PhotoMarks

Built-in sharing, logo overlay, text mark creation and opacity/color controls, high-res export, shadow effects, templates and profile settings, undo and redo, combine colors, scale and resize the photos and watermarks, and a super simple interface that just feels right? PhotoMarks is definitely a premium app, but with the price tag of just $4.99, it is affordable to nearly anyone who needs a watermark app.

Price: $4.99 | More information

6. Add Watermark

What Add Watermark brings to the watermark app market is simple: you can make the watermark you want to add to your photos in this app, then you can export that to use elsewhere. So if you get that perfect mark that really isn’t obtrusive or doesn’t detract from the art, you can use it wherever else you need to without worrying about having to recreate it perfectly for consistency. The rest of the app is great, too, offering many of the same features that are common among these apps: color and opacity control, resizing, cropping, etc.

Price: Free | More information

7. Watermark Photo

Watermark Photo has an absurd number of choices for you to use when watermarking your content. Over 300 different fonts to choose from are just the beginning. You crop and resize and make sure everything is pixel-perfect. But the customization is really where the devs have focused. They want you to use Watermark Photo to truly create something unique for your brand that is seen across social media and the internet.

Price: Free at first, subscription required later ($3.99 per month or $39.99 per year) | More information

8. Visual Watermark

And rounding out the list is an app called Visual Watermark. This one, like Snagit, is not a mobile app but a desktop program. That’s great because of how powerful it is. When you download Visual Watermark, you will see a lot of options you have. 260 fonts, text and logo inclusion, and saving everything as a template so that you can be more efficient when you protect your videos for posting. Really, the batch watermarking is incredibly nice, and 60+ effects and a slew of export file types make this one you really need to give a shot. They also have a Photo Watermark program, too, if you need something as robust for your stills.

Price: $19.95 and up | More information

Wrapping Up

Like we said, watermarking your content is necessary in a lot of places on the internet, if for no other reason than to protect it from thievery. However, there are great promotional benefits to doing so as well, not to mention that if you have a great watermark or signature, it can be included as part of your brand and expected as part of the whole package you present to people. Regardless of why you need a watermark app, we think that you’ll find the perfect one for you in the choices above. Whether it’s quick and easy and free, or crazy powerful and robust, you’re just a few clicks away from showing the world what’s yours in the most stylish way possible.

What do you use to watermark your content?

Article featured image by Bplanet / shutterstock.com

The post 8 Great Watermark Apps to Protect Your Photos and Videos appeared first on Elegant Themes Blog.

😉SiliconWebX | 🌐ElegantThemes

#Silicon Web Design #Ahmedabad #India #Web Development #WPBeginner #Silicon URL #Web Site #Cloud Host

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chicago-images · 5 years

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Policy change: Watermarks are fine

The Brutal Regime / Joseph Dunphy posted a new topic:

Some of you were right, and I was wrong. For years, I've had a policy of not allowing photos with obtrusive watermarks into the pool, because the watermarks look terrible - and they do. They do look terrible, BUT until very recently, I did not appreciate how much of a problem pirating really was. Especially on Twitter. Somebody might ask how I could not know that, when I and this group have been on Twitter for years - for so many years that a reference to Twitter is written right into the rules for the group - but until relatively recently, I wasn't actively engaged on Twitter. The feeds for my groups would go through Feedburner, Dlvr.it and IFTTT, causing thumbnails for photos in the pool to automatically appear over on the update twitter for this group. I'd sometimes go over to respond to queries about tweets and get people in touch with each other when interest was expressed in a photo, basically acting as an agent who wasn't collecting a commission, but I would hardly ever be logged into Twitter. Until very recently, and wow, was that eye opening. I had no idea that there were that many Nazis alive, much less present on one website and had I known, I most certainly wouldn't have been using that website, especially after finding out that the staff seems to be pro-Nazi. If any of you got hate comments on your photos, I'm sorry about that, I just never imagined that something like this could even happen. Until I went into my own personal account, and started noticing the death threats I was getting from people who had an issue with the fact of my Jewishness and Support's habit of locking my account while leaving the Nazis free to go on posting. Is this really 2019? It feels more like 1939. Among the other scummy things taking place on Twitter, I noticed something very bad about the accounts of a lot of the "photographers" posting to that site. On doing a random selection of photos supposedly taken by the holders of the accounts to which they were posted, in a clear majority of the cases, a reverse image search would reveal that the "photographer" was engaging in plagiarism, claiming credit for a photo which he or she had not taken. I was able to prove this to Twitter, providing links to the original photos (most of which were on Flickr) and Twitter responded by doing nothing. I mean, absolutely nothing. They didn't even respond. They didn't care. They were completely OK with the idea of their site being used to pirate content. So that raises the question - what do we do, now? What I'd like to do is turn off Twitter notification for all of my groups, permanently, but I can't. As some of you might know, my father lost our family home a few years ago, being unable to afford the rising taxes that were seen after the yuppies "discovered" the town he was living in, moved in, and got the local government to go on a spending spree. A lot of my possessions, including a stack of papers with my passwords on it, got shoved into storage with all of the other possessions we were able to save on short notice, and I haven't seen them since. At present, I am locked out of the accounts I have online, including the Twitter, IFTTT and Dlvr.it accounts for this group. I'm perfectly willing to acknowledge that my idea in this case was a bad one and turn off those notices, but without those passwords, I physically can't do it at the moment, and I don't know that I'll ever get the passwords back. The movers turned out to be a little dodgy and some of our stuff might be gone. Again, the move had to be done on short notice. The best I can do at the moment is to pass along a warning, and offer a few options: 1. Really, aggressively watermark your photos. Doesn't look good, but people can imagine what the un-watermarked work would look like. Basically, you're self-promoting without saying that you're doing it. Those who wish they could see your photos without the watermarks can come see one of your shows in the real world. This represents a diminished experience for the cheeto-munching online viewer who never steps outside his door, but who cares? Look at how content creators have been treated online. Certainly not with any kind of gratitude, not even with a modicum of decency. 2. Remove your pending photos from the queue. I'll hold off on approving photos for a few weeks, to give you some chance to do this. I'm not happy about the idea of recommending this option and I'm not pushing it. If you've submitted a good photo and you still want it approved (and probably tweeted), I'll be happy to approve it. But when I set up that twitter, I wanted to bring you guys more traffic and give your work more attention, not get it pirated. I was trying to help you, not "love" you over, and just didn't know what a pack of lowlifes I had put you in contact with. 3. We could start a new companion group without Twitter update notification, and just start using that. 4. We could say "this group has been around for a decade, we had a good run, and now it's time to close up shop and turn this group into an archive." Who was it that said "your first thousand photos are always your worst"? We all know about the new plan to throw out all but 1000 photos from each free account, which comes to us thanks to the buyout by Smugmug. Trying to grow as a photographer on the new Twitter is going to be like trying to grow as a writer by doing business with a vanity press. The "fellow creators" you'll find yourself getting into touch with won't be a good influence. Also, let's be honest. While there's been a lot of great work on Flickr, there has been a lot more terrible work for a long time, and the great work seen happened in spite of the increasingly drama-loving community, not because of it. Sometimes, the wisest decision one can make is to not be afraid to admit that something has become unwinnable, and to give up. Even before the Smugmug takeover, I had a commercial spammer drop by and post an advertisement for his adult party planning service. After I reported the advertisement as spam, I got a stern warning from an anonymous employee of Flickr, telling me that if I spammed again, I'd lose my account. I sent a message back reminding the staff that I had been the mod reporting the spam, not the person posting it, got stonewalled and then, when I went to the Help forum to try to find out what to do next, discovered that my ability to post to the Help forum had been disabled, apparently either by the incompetent employee who decided to cover his own backside or (more likely) by one of his friends at work. There's this continuing pattern of sleaze, of people winking and laughing at the very suggestion that they might be expected to deal at least somewhat honorably with others, and it is a reflection of a deep cultural dysfunctionality which I can't fix, and which seems to be growing deeper, not going away. Sometimes, it's time to give up and retreat. There's that temptation to stay and try to win the good fight, but when sleaze turns into the norm, how does one win? Also, what would we be trying to win? In the end, wouldn't we be left fighting for the freedom to entertain an audience that has shown itself to be pleased with the idea of treating us like dirt? When you go out and say something about piracy or arbitrary censorship, how much backup do you ever see from the people around you? Do you want your work seen, and maybe even purchased? Living on $15/day, as I currently do, I'm not sure that my business advice will be (or even should be) taken seriously, but I can think of one possibility: coffeehouses. There are still a lot of independents in Chicago, their walls are usually bare, and they tend to like the idea of using those walls as gallery space. Gives them the chance to squeeze out a little extra revenue. Maybe that's something to explore - sharing your photography in the real world.

from Chicago Photography https://ift.tt/2Nu9YI8 via IFTTT

#IFTTT #Chicago Photography

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chromydephotography · 7 years

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9 Steps: How To Find An Affordable Wedding Photographer in Calgary

How To Find An Affordable Wedding Photographer in Calgary

Step One: Research Your Options

Begin your research by searching countless local results and reading evaluations from former brides. Carefully evaluate possible photographers’ sites and look at pictures of moments that they shot. The look of the web site could also give hints concerning the shooters character and genre that they specialize in. Take a look at their Instagram and Facebook profiles, when possible. Make sure you read the feedback from customers. Are the comments good? If there was criticism, how did the photographer react?

Step Two: Schedule Interviews

This isn’t a choice that should be made on searching through profiles alone—you should meet with prospective photographers personally. When you decide on a short list of photographers—and their costs are in your ballpark; you need to determine if they are available on your special day. If your choice is booked already ask if they can suggest another shooter that has a similar style. Schedule in-person conferences with three to five possible photographers who are available on your wedding day to check out and evaluate whether you mesh. Be prepared to discuss what you imagine for the pictures and your location that define your wedding-style.

Step Three: Review Several Complete Wedding Portfolios

Do not base your final decision exclusively on what you observe in a portfolio. Portfolios are always composed from the-best-of-the-best and it is important to see the complete set of photos from one marriage Request to see 2 or 3 complete galleries from actual marriages to help you obtain a better concept of what your pictures may look like.

Step Four: Evaluation Photos With a Critical Eye

While researching affordable wedding photographers in Calgary, search for a shooter that has experience at the venue you have booked. Did they get pictures of both the groom and the bride at memorable moments? Additionally look for clarity of pictures, innovative arrangements and great illumination (watch out for washed out photos wherever little facts are blurred—unless this is the design you are after). It is also extremely important that the photographer is able to convey the feeling of the moment; make certain the shooter’s topics appear calm, nothing like a deer-in-the-headlights looks. Obviously, you want to observe cheerful pictures of one’s friends and family.

Step Five: Ensure That You Connect

Do not ignore the significance of connection with your shooter. Does your vision excite the shooter when you explain it? Once they make recommendations, are they presented by them in a sincere and clear method, or are they shy? Are their actions off putting? To be able to obtain the greatest pictures, opt for a professional who, most importantly, makes you comfortable. Remember: they’ll certainly be shadowing your every move and the more comfortable you both are, the better the pictures will be. Similarly, that you don’t need any visitors upset by an obtrusive stranger. To obtain the very best pictures, your shooter must be calm and good pressure.

Step Six: Confirm Your Shooter(s)

Larger weddings often have more than one shooter on-staff, and the shooter you meet with may possibly not be the main one capturing your entire day if you don’t request it in your agreement. Because every expert has their own method and a diverse design, you have to ensure that the main one you interview is directing your wedding. Additionally, ask how many personnel will be brought by the shooter for your wedding. Several top notch photographers incorporate a second shoot within the agreement. Using two photographers is commonplace in the industry and ensures you won’t miss any memorable moments among your guests. If you are having a bigger wedding (250 visitors or even more), you may inquire about having three photographers so that your photography group could be certain to fully capture the function from all perspectives.

Step Seven: Compare Deals

You may not be ready to nail-down a precise cost for your wedding until you know what you need such as: how many photos, how many shooters, and time needed. Prices usually range from $1,000 to as much as $15,000-plus on the higher-end of the range. While selecting applicants, request a quotation that fits within your budget. Often smaller companies are able to modify their packages to fit your needs. It is important to find out what is contained in the package such as number of touched-up portraits, delivery of images and wedding albums.

Step Eight: Inquire About Your Rights

Many agreements state that the privileges are owned by the shooter to all pictures obtained in the wedding. Quite simply, the shooter may use them promotionally (on the site or website, publish them for book as well as utilize them in advertisements). That does mean that you simply cannot simply post the electronic proofs they deliver you—most photographers possess a plan that you are able to reveal pictures or watermarked pictures using their credit in it. Additionally, if you wish to produce the images yourselves or purchase an album from another source, you will have to purchase the privileges for the pictures.

Step Nine: Obtain The Post production Facts

It typically takes a month to get back proofs from your shooter. Why? Your shooter is capturing at huge number of documents that are significantly larger than your common JPEG. Capturing raw images provides your shooter the capability to correct the picture, however it also requires a longer time for you to post, organize and modify those documents (to be able to choose shade ranges and so forth). It differs, but several photographers state that they invest more than 40 hours enhancing pictures from the simple wedding, therefore it may take as much as 2 months (or longer, with respect to the shooter and just how busy they are) to obtain proofs back. Some tips about what to request: just how many pictures must I anticipate? May they be low-resolution or superior resolution? Am I going to have the ability to get prints or dare the rights be retained by the shooter? Are the proofs I retouched before or after I choose the pictures I’d like?

As the premier affordable wedding photographer in Calgary, we offer many packages to suit every budget and always meet with the bride and groom to ensure your vision is clearly translated to your pictures. We take pride in making your day a memorable one and have the experience and confidence that delivers. Call us today and let us make your memories come alive for years to come!

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9 Steps: How To Find An Affordable Wedding Photographer in Calgary

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