it has been a hell of a week.  to begin with my sites jeniferaltman.com and rosyeveandfey.com have been down with next to no explanation from the host.  to think that all the text and of course the hours i put into building both sites could be gone for good, i find myself quaking with rage at the lack of involvement by the host to right the situation.  and i try to be a proper so i will not scream the name of the company at the top of my lungs in fury - but i will be happy to let anyone who is thinking of purchasing a photography template website know who this company is via email.  so, you will have to excuse me for the week while i rebuild the sites on an .html platform from scratch.

and then... last night i received an email from a VERY caring and wonderful person who stalks sites like Polyvore for inappropriate use of copyrighted images.  apparently, a repeat offender of such use, stole one of my images from flickr, bastardized the photograph with her "own" digital art and claimed the image as her own.  i have been dealing with this in some shape or form for over a year - people lifting my images to use on their blogs, and own inspiration boards - and while i was still seeing my work credited to me, i convinced myself i did not mind.  that is said and done.  stealing is stealing and people seem to have a warped sense of what they feel they can use or not on the internet - especially photographs - i think people devalue it as an art so much, they do not even believe they are doing anything wrong.  i want to thank those of you who over the last year have emailed me asking permission to use my work - the thought and level of consideration is warming - thank you.  because of this situation last night, i have moved my flickr account to Friends & Family only and am looking at ways to protect the work on my blog.  believe me, i understand that when we make the conscience decision to put ourselves and our work out there we are all taking such risks, however, that by no means makes it right.  

Comments

[alice]

Oh you poor thing! My heart goes out to you. The last issue is one that a lot of us are struggling with. One of the solutions I have heard discussed is to never post anything online that is big enough to be of use when printed so that people can take a peek at what you are working on but have to ask (or buy) anything bigger.

[nicole]

I am so, so sorry, friend. I, too, have been dealing with theft. people will post my photograph on their site, give me credit, but I still feel taken advantage of. then I debate whether or not to leave them a tiny note, explaining the offense while trying to still be kind. then, just the other day, I realized I, of course, have the right to say something to them; it's my work, my memories. what I don't get is how people are bold enough to use someone's work like that without even asking. even after I say something to them, I have never received an apology.

I do have an html code that will prevent right-clicking and saving that I'd be willing to share with you, it's just that once you click on and enlarge the image, you can still save it. blogger doesn't really help its authors with any sort of protection.

hang in there, babe. xox

[Jen]

You know I am sending hugs and good thoughts your way. One of the many reasons I left flickr. Too much crap at times.

[Amanda]

Hi Jen ...

on 101cookbooks.com she created this way that you can't save or drag the photos.. it prevents people from taking them. Maybe that's one idea?

Good luck with this.

Amanda

[Jan's camera]

Jen, I am so sorry to hear about your sites. They are so beautiful. That is so terrible if you have to start over. I hope it turns out okay. We all love your designs.

[Kelly]

So sorry you are having such a bad time of this! I hope that it goes better soon. Your daughter does look lovely in the snow, almost makes me want to go play in it. Almost, but not quite.

[Chessa]

Unfortunately I also have had experience with this. It's terrible and it seems that the only thing that would officially stop it is to stop posting my work online...which I honestly do not view as an option. Someone actually took some self-portraits of mine and attached their name to them on Facebook! I received so many emails from people telling me that someone was pretending to be me.

It's awful all around. My thoughts are definitely with you.

In the meantime, I just wanted to let you know that I have nominated your beautiful and inspiring blog for a 2009 Bloggie Award. I just love your work and your writing. I made a list of the other nominees on my blog if you're curious. Cheers, friend!

[cindy k]

i'm sorry about the troubles with your sites and photos. it's all so much work and personal! i'm not an accomplished photographer like you, but i really worry about where my photos might end up, especially when someone on flickr suddenly favorites quite a few of them suddenly without leaving any comments.

hope all is not lost with your web host. the files must be there somewhere.

[shari]

so sorry to hear this. thinking of you.

[Puanani]

I am new to blogging and am so sad to read about your plight. It seems like basic manners would cover all that, guess not. Good luck on protecting your work, I hope we can still see most of your beautiful work...

[Emma]

This is sad news indeed as I have loved seeing your pictures on flickr and finding your work gave me the inspiration that got me using my polaroid again. I am sad too that others may not see your work and be equally inspired too. As one of the genuine users on flickr I regularly look through my favourites, of which many were yours and it is with sadness that I no longer see your photos nestled with others whom I admire. I am sorry this has happened and to read of your sadness of the situation - it is so rare to read such a tone in your voice. Good luck with the website re-building and in the meantime if you want to make me a friend - I am here! http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmabradshaw/

[Sarah]

I can only say what others have already said. I'm sorry that you've been violated and taken advantage of as an artist and as a person. And I'm sorry that I'll no longer see your work on Flickr because of it. That's not to say I don't believe you should take action to protect your work and livelihood. You absolutely should. My point is that yours is a presence whose absence I will notice.

[hannah]

oh jen, your websites too? i'm so sorry. it seems like such a easy little thing to do, ask permission, why it's so hard for some people i have no idea. wishing you some peace this week, take a break and hit the pool.

[Karima]

I am de-lurking to express my condolences on the shameful appropriation of your photos, that I, for one, am glad artists like yourself generously share. It is inspiration, discovery and just a pure pleasure to view your work. I just discovered you and your wonderful work in the last few weeks and I can say unequivocally that it is what you are doing that makes me want to try (and no doubt not come anywhere close) and see things differently in my photographic journey.

[ashley crim]

oh jen! as the others...I too am so so so very sorry! neither are easy to swallow or accept...but both at the same time!!! My heart really goes out to you during such frustration!

[Beatr¡z]

I just discovered your blog and your work last month. Your pictures are so inspiring. I am so sorry to read this :(
1 beso y ánimo.

[jinnie]

I'm de-lurking as well.. I've had a similar experience where people used my images for their blogs (even uploaded on their own Flickr!) without permission. It can be flattering but at the same time I feel taken advantage of, even with proper credit. It's even more offensive when those blogs have ads.. I really think all professional bloggers should take a lesson on copyrights. Okay, now I sound harsh..

Thanks for sharing your story and talking about copyrights. You said all the things I was afraid to say on my own blog.. Best of luck with your website and on protecting your wonderful work.

[Amanda]

Gosh, I'm so sorry. I love your images and sites! This is why I am apprehensive about starting my own...

[Piper Madison]

Your pictures are wonderful. I found you through Seth Adores Jai. Great blog!

[Leslie]

Such a rotten deal all the way around! I will miss seeing all your wonderful photos on flickr.

[gina]

huge hugs to you.
such a shame that this happened to you.

[Toni]

such a shame. so sorry to hear of your troubles. i will miss you on flickr, but truly understand.

[Andrea]

oh.. I'm delurking too to tell you how fantastically awful that is. I'm sorry. I dated a man who became a "professional" photographer, and on his site he posted photos that I took! I will miss all of your work so very much.. Thank you for all that you do, and for sharing it with us.

[Miss B]

so sad to see that people don't have any respect!!!Your work is so lovely!!!

[nicole]

jen, I'm sorry if I sounded at all harsh. all I meant was to sympathize with you. I know this can all be very discouraging. xox