Buying my First DSLR.

[Anbesol]

Ah, there I have to disagree strongly.
It's theft.

You cant equate it to 'theft', that implies that you are taking something from someone else, when in reality you are actually only copying. It is more appropriately compared to plagiarism.

I'm not excusing the 'theives', what I am saying though is that its not the photographers priority to ruin their photos with watermarks which ultimately can't stop someone from 'stealing' the photo anyway (unless you butcher the photo and paste it across the entire thing blocking crucial detail).

[havana_joe]

You cant equate it to 'theft', that implies that you are taking something from someone else, when in reality you are actually only copying. It is more appropriately compared to plagiarism.

I'm not excusing the 'theives', what I am saying though is that its not the photographers priority to ruin their photos with watermarks which ultimately can't stop someone from 'stealing' the photo anyway (unless you butcher the photo and paste it across the entire thing blocking crucial detail).

In my mind, it IS stealing. You say that the thieves are not taking anything. I can think of both tangible and intangible losses from unauthorized “copying”.

For the tangible, if my goal is to sell a picture online, yet someone gets it for free, then I am denied payment for that transaction. Denying someone rightful compensation is the same as taking that dollar amount from them directly. This would not be a factor if I am not selling the picture, but the intangible loss would still apply.

As for the intangible, this takes a bit more explanation. When I take a picture, it’s my time, skill, and effort being used to capture that picture. The result is my creation, a unique combination of time, place, skill, equipment, labor, and thought. If I choose to share that picture, that is my right, but is subject to whatever parameters I assign to such sharing. If the intent is for others to view it, appreciate it, comment on it, or enjoy it, then they should do so within the parameters of my sharing. I am the creator, and the use of my product is my choice.

If the intent is for the picture to be available for anyone to copy and use as they see fit, than I should either give that permission ahead of time, or I should be asked for it. I would never assume that something is mine to copy and use for myself without it being explicitly said or without asking for permission, and that permission being granted. When someone copies a picture for their own use, without permission or compensation, than my right of control over my own creation has been stolen. That is theft of something intangible- the right for my creation to exist within the parameters I have assigned to that creation.

Long story short, if it isn’t yours, don’t copy it, unless you are given permission beforehand, you ask for permission and it’s granted, or you purchase the item within the terms of the sale.