A question about Forum ethics.

Hi all,
The reason I start this topic, is to get a general opinion on the subject: Uploading pictures from forum members.
A remark from Stefan (Anvh) in this thread started me thinking.

I would like to know what the general feeling is, concerning uploading and editing someone else his/her picture as an example, if that person asks for C&C. I know that on several occasions I try to help out that way, and because a picture "says more than a thousand words", I'll usually show an example of the picture in question, together with a brief explanation of what has been done. Until now I never had the feeling that I was out of line, by doing that, without asking first.

It goes without saying that the used pictures are uploaded to my own site, and a very clear copyright notice is provided to the rightful owner of the picture completed with a explanation of why and how. An example can be found here.

So....what are your feelings about this. Is it done or not done. Because I don't want to come over rude or something, and certainly respect somebody else his/her work.

Thanks for answering in advance.

Martin.

nice you're concerned...on the rare ocassion I've done that I only leave the image up for a week or two and take it back down......
usually find somethin in my files that I use for examples, though...
it wouldn't bother me if somebody did that to one of my images, here in the forum, to offer help to me, as long as they didn't use it for any other purpose, esp outside this forum.
falls under "Fair use" if you ask me.
best advice is to not post anything on the web that you don't ever want to see copied.

Well, speaking as someone with loads to learn from you guys, and nothing to contribute:
I would have no problem at all if you took one of my images, improved it and uploaded it to show me how it could / should have been done.

In fact this has happened on a couple of occasions. As you say Martin, a picture paints a thousand words. If Lilly had tried to describe how to tweak my first proper mono attempt, I'm not sure I'd have understood. But as she altered it to show me, it made sense ( still don't know how she did it though )

Courtesy and common sense will answer this. If in doubt ask the photographer as sometimes people post things but only want glowing approval, most times people who ask for opinions mean it!

It's a good topic.
I will always ask it the first time, it's just polite and I hardly know Amin to begin with. Now that I know his answer I will be what easier to upload an image of him if I know for sure he wouldn't mind or else I will simply ask again, it isnt that hard to ask you know.
Although like Don said if you don't want your images copied don't upload them, it's that simple.

To answer your question now.
I wouldn't mind if someone use my photo that I've uploaded, I concider those as stock photos and only would like to have some credits for them if used in anyway but that's it. Photo's of my friends and family is another story, I'll asume that you will be respectfull with them and only use them to help me or others on this forum. I wouldnt like those to wander over the net, I know I shuoldn't upload them in the first place but it's a sign of trust that I upload them. One photo of my nephew is up here in the compotition together with a lot of other loves ones, you just know you shouldnt mess with those without asking.

It's a hard topic because it's quite grey and not black and white.
Just ask if you don't know for sure I would say.

It doesn't bother me at all, the way I see it the pics posted here are all generally too small to be of any great use to anyone. And most of us here have a good rapport with one another, it comes down to trust and using common sense.

I have no problem withpeopke using my images in the same thread, it allows me to learn and see what can be done with the original.

Where it's been done I will ask for it to be left up for others to see.

Hi,
This forum is public domain. All text and pictures submitted should be done with this in mind. Yes?

Make no assumptions and then all will be well....

It's in the public view, but your images remain your copyright.

I echo what Ted said here, as I am very much a newcomer to photography myself, and someone trying to improve one of my images to show me what can be done is a great help to me, and I appreciate that they have taken the time to do so.

No problem carry on.

I have worked on user pics before to demonstrate what I think could be done with them. I usually don't ask for permission but have put a note in the post saying that I'm prepared to delete if copyright owner wishes to. Never had to delete one.

I wouldn't mind people working up my pics when they only use them for demonstration in that thread. But I appreciate that others may view that differently.

Prieni

this forum over the years has PROVEN to be a good bunch of people.
It's like a neighborhood, where you don't have to fear leaving your doors unlocked.
In reading this thread, I see I'm not the only person that feels that way!
So if there's ever an issue, a one polite pm should be all it takes to remedy it.

I am relatively new to this forum but I can say with confidence that I have learnt far more than I ever thought I would by being here and asking questions. The great bunch of people around here are extraordinarily helpful and are ready to be patient even with the most simplest and commonest of questions. I have even commented before that at first I would be weary of asking a very basic question in case I would be told off and asked to go and acquire basic skills before I even attempt to be part of the group. I know by experience situations like this happens around on the net when you step into a new field, so at the beginning that would worry me.

But as time went by and with the number of questions I kept on asking I was brilliantly impressed by all the help and patience I was getting from around here. It is true, the analogy that this is like a friendly neighbourhood where one can leave the doors open is entirely true. I relish the time I spend here reading the comments and interacting and the knowledge I have gained is absolutely phenomenal in relative terms compared to what I knew about the subject.

So I do echo what others have said, I think very few would object that their images are manipulated and then put back, I personally dont mind at all, and Stefan asking my permission just shows how polite people here are and are concerned with good manners and attitudes. In fact I am quite glad someone takes the time and effort to do something of the kind and gives me a feedback to enhance my knowledge in the field.

But also I see that the more experienced veterans here commented something which is entirely true, knowing human nature one should try and find a compromise to avoid a misunderstanding, an attitude which meant good but was perceived to be detrimental from the other person's perspective, This is just my take into the matter

thanks

Amin

I certainly agree with Amin - this community is superb and I would have no ill feeling if someone edited a photo I had uploaded here to convey what might look better - I'm always keen to learn as I'm still a newcomer to DSLR photography.

I've actually been reading a lot of Amin's posts (not deliberately) - it's just i've been very interested in his questions on lenses and recently his delve into macro photography - and i've always found the answers by this community to be a great source of information. A previous post of his and your answers helped cement my decision to get the DA 55-300 with my K20D.

So just to encourage Amin - your questions have'nt been too basic for me, please don't stop!

Yup! agree with all of the above.

Does anyone want to edit about 10,000 of my images