Welcome To Earth David

Yesterday I ran across a wonderful photoblog. As some of you know I love to see other peoples photographic work. On this particular blog: otilius.blogspot.com (notice it’s not linked and you’ll find out why as you read on) there was an image entitled “Little Man Lights”. I thought this was a really cool photograph. Now as some of you also know I have been promoting photoblogs for many years. Well today I had a complaint because I posted this persons picture on my website along with a link back to his / her blog. This person did not appreciate it and apparently his / her friend Jess didn’t appreciate it either. I was accused by both of these people of stealing the image. IMAGINE THAT! I have never claimed an image that was not my own and always if possible leave a link to the blog or site from where the image was taken. Here are the comments from the blog owner and his or her fan.

“You really should ask before using someone’s work. And, when you steal work, you might as well show it without distortion. Come on!” - From the blog owner.

Now I realize that I should have asked to use the image and I apologized for that, but I am fucking appalled that this person accused me of stealing it, because I clearly did not. There was nothing written in the post that claimed it as my own. Now here is the comment from the blog owners idiot friend Jess who was too much of a coward to leave an email address I could respond to.

“I saw this on otilius’ site yesterday. Stealing isn’t nice. If you don’t have anything of your own to post, then it’s best to just not post. Then again, I read over some of your blog, and well… If my content was like that, I’d probably steal too.” - Jess

And this is my response to him / her / it / whatever!

“Hey hoochie I saw it too and thought it was absolutely wonderful. That is why I posted the image along with the link to the blog owners photoblog so that others could go there and see the other wonderful photos. If you are too damn scared to leave contact information where I can reach you then don’t bring your coward ass to my blog posting some bullshit like this……. oh and one more thing….. beotch shut the fuck up!” - ME

I can’t stand it when people do that….. like they have achieved something by spouting off at the mouth over something and they don’t even fucking know what they are talking about….. but I’m not angry. This person probably led a sheltered life.

Now this is the letter I emailed back to the blog owner to apologize for even bothering.

“Just incase you miss the comment I left on your blog I wanted to email you directly to apologize for posting your image on my blog yesterday. I have removed the image as well as the link to your photoblog. I am sorry for the inconvenience and regret that you believe I stole your work. I also regret the time I wasted viewing your photos which are wonderful, and the time I lost posting the link to your site, but I did not claim your image as my own and I will be sure not to promote your blog again.

In the 10+ years that I have been online and doing websites, posting peoples websites and such, you are the first one I have had complain about it. I apologize for not asking to use your image. Good luck with your blog. Please do not write back. I do not care to hear about it again. Thank you.” - ME

So much for coming home after a long day at work for happy internet surfing today!

Update: The bastard is going around on EntreCard forums calling me a photo thief. Here, and here as well. That is the thanks I get for sending a sincere apology.

Tags: Photography

This entry was posted on Sunday, May 25th, 2008 at 5:18 pm and is filed under Photography. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.