Alison deleted pictures

I got a PM last night from Alison wanting to know if she deleted her account would it also delete all her pictures. I ask why in the world she would want to do that and she said someone had used one of her pictures without her permission and she just wanted to disappear. After I questioned that she said it had nothing to do with PR that it had happened under different circumstances some way through a friend but she was very upset about it and didn't want her pictures available to anyone at this time. When I check back a little while latter it appeared that her pictures from the gallery were all gone. I sure would hate to lose her since she has been such a great contributor the last year or so. Anyone know anything else about this or how we might regain her trust?

Larry

i dunno, i would just hate to lose such a great poster, with her spectacular portraits...

I don't know either and I guess its a chance everyone that posts pics has to take.
Visible copyrights might work.
I've found Allisons work and input always informative and worth reading and seeing.

I agree that it would be a great pity to lose Alison - she has become (imo) one of the most accomplished portrait specialists here. However, if (as you say) it had nothing to do with PR, but happened through another route, then it puzzles me why she would want to disappear from this particular forum. She admits herself that the folk here have been instrumental in developing her portrait style. (Unless I am misunderstanding here).

It also occurs to me that it depends on how the pictures were used. If they really were used inappropriately then I can understand her upset. But, without knowing the context here, I can't comment.

Still, if anyone can reassure her - you can. I'll keep a good thought for both of you.

Cheers
Mike

I wouldn't want to see her go either. She could delete the pictures from her gallery and still be a member - or sign up again if it's too late for that.

In the future, when uploading images into the forums there's a box that is automatically checked to add images to your gallery. Just uncheck the box before you click "upload" and it will not be added to your gallery.

That is sad. I wish I knew more about what was going on with her so I could offer more help. There is a way to delete her pictures without deleting her account, but let's make sure she wants to go that route first. If you hear from her Larry, let her know that's an option rather than leaving altogether.

Wow! I wasn't expecting this!
Roger just emailed me and told me this was here.
I'm still here. I'd just rather be quiet for a little while if that's ok.

I hope I didn't violate any confidences Ali. I knew that many would miss your photos in no time at all and I though I'd nip things in the bud about were they were. I thought it would also give people a chance to voice their support for your position about piracy of your work.

Thank you OT.
No it's ok. I didn't realise anyone would miss me tho.
I feel like a little fish swimming with sharks where my photography is concerned which is why I couldn't understand why she used my pic for her business promo.
She is an awesome wedding photographer and far better than me.
My friend gave her permission to use it not me and it was a total shock when I saw it.

I think that would upset me also and don't blame you a bit for wanting to lay low.

Oddly enough a similar thing happened to me. A couple of years ago I photographed an adult baptism and gave a print to the family of the person being "dunked". Soon after they were contacted by the methodist church who wanted images for a nationally published booklet on the subject. The family (not being photographers or anything) said "oh we have a picture you might like"!!!

Well, the family very proudly presented me with a copy of the booklet - thinking I would be pleased to see my image in print. :rolleyes:

It all turned out ok though .. the family really were innocent (albeit through ignorance). When I phoned the Methodist publishers they were mortified and immediately offered to pay me a fee (which I accepted on behalf of a charity) and to include my name in future printings.

Ahh well :D
Mike

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alison

Thank you OT.
No it's ok. I didn't realise anyone would miss me tho.
I feel like a little fish swimming with sharks where my photography is concerned

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I know I speak for many here at PR when I say that your absence would sorely be missed. Your beautiful portraits have become one of the things I look for and cherish here on PR. When and if you feel the time is right your photos will be welcomed back with open arms. Your images have become anything but little fish. It's easy to see how someone would covet them but hard to realize that they would think they could get away with passing your distinctive style off as their own.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alison

Thank you OT.
No it's ok. I didn't realise anyone would miss me tho.
I feel like a little fish swimming with sharks where my photography is concerned which is why I couldn't understand why she used my pic for her business promo.
She is an awesome wedding photographer and far better than me.
My friend gave her permission to use it not me and it was a total shock when I saw it.

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You seem to have an issue to bring up with the wedding photographer. I cannot see how any professional photographer cannot be aware that permission to use a photo MUST be from the photographer and in writing. Friends certainly do NOT count. To make matters worse, it is fraud to pass off someone else's work as you own and particularly to promote your own business.

Decide how you want to resolve the problem and go after the photographer to get that kind of resolution. Small claims court is always an option, if there is a total unwillingness from the photographer.

Ronnoco

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alison

Thank you OT.
No it's ok. I didn't realise anyone would miss me tho.
I feel like a little fish swimming with sharks where my photography is concerned which is why I couldn't understand why she used my pic for her business promo.
She is an awesome wedding photographer and far better than me.
My friend gave her permission to use it not me and it was a total shock when I saw it.

---

Can you feel the love?

I know I can!

It's so lovely here.
However I am sat here in FLOODS of tears and have been since yesterday.
They have now kicked me out of their portraiture group.
They say I am negative and mean spirited :(
I can't believe people can hate me so much.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ronnoco

You seem to have an issue to bring up with the wedding photographer. I cannot see how any professional photographer cannot be aware that permission to use a photo MUST be from the photographer and in writing. Friends certainly do NOT count. To make matters worse, it is fraud to pass off someone else's work as you own and particularly to promote your own business.

Decide how you want to resolve the problem and go after the photographer to get that kind of resolution. Small claims court is always an option, if there is a total unwillingness from the photographer.

Ronnoco

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She is ignoring my emails.

unlike me that's a "taker" (I read, by don't post very much) you are a "giver" to the group. If you are kicked out of it, they are the ones loosing.
And if they can't understand who is right and who has done wrong, maybe it's better to be away from them.

Thank you everyone! You are all so lovely here.
I do feel loved here.
Lets all have a group hug :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alison

It's so lovely here.
However I am sat here in FLOODS of tears and have been since yesterday.
They have now kicked me out of their portraiture group.
They say I am negative and mean spirited :(
I can't believe people can hate me so much.

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Hi Alison,

I can't believe it either. I just wanted to say I'm really sorry this has happened to you. I obviously don't know all the details, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who is shocked by this. You're the last person I would call negative and mean spirited. Quite the contrary is true, which is why you're such a great portrait photographer. I wish you the best of luck in getting this straightened out. Please don't disappear for long.

Paul

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alison

She is ignoring my emails.

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We're glad to have you here Ali. Kicking you out of their group is their loss.

You could post her email address here, and we could all send her a few hundred notes to let her know how photographers feel about having their work stolen. :D

Thanks MJ but no, it's ok I feel sad enough as it is.
I have always felt more welcome here anyway.
I don't want things to overfolw into here. I love it here.

I'm just glad I am allowed to vent and speak so freely here. Negative or positive, everyone here seems to take what is said and use it in a constructive way.

Paul sent me a nice PM about me being part of the family here. And I seriously do feel like this is my home.

Thank you so much EVERYONE!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alison

She is ignoring my emails.

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A cease and decist letter from a lawyer is definitely in order here. There is some gray area because of the friend in the middle. But it's your photo and you have the right to defend it. If the wedding photographer is ignoring your e-mails, it's because they know they're in the wrong.

Can you tell us which photo it is?

I'm with everyone here Alison, please don't leave. If it wasn't for you I wouldn't have found out about those wonderful Kodak Filters for Photoshop. A lawyer is in order for this one.

I hope everything works out for you. :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Photo-John

A cease and decist letter from a lawyer is definitely in order here. There is some gray area because of the friend in the middle. But it's your photo and you have the right to defend it. If the wedding photographer is ignoring your e-mails, it's because they know they're in the wrong.

Can you tell us which photo it is?

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This is so sneaky of you to get me to post a pic John lol.
I'm just kidding.

Ok here is the story but I WILL NOT mention any names because I DID NOT want it to go as far as lawyers etc.

My friend makes jewellery. She made this necklace for me with a pic of my hubby and son on it.
I took a pic when I received it and sent it to her. Thought she might like to see it.
She asked if she could use my pic and I agreed.

She then passed it on to another photographer, without me knowing, letting the photographer know it was my pic and I had given permission to use it. The photographer then used it on a business card.

The photographer displayed it on her blog with no mention of my name.
I was shocked and horrified when I saw it.
I asked what it was doing on her blog and that a mention of my name would have been nice.
She then included my name under her promo card, in text you would need a magnifying glass to read, but it was there nonetheless.
She proceeded to tell me she was given permission to use it by my friend so I would have to take it up with her.
This photographer has now removed my picture from her promo and her blog and replaced it with another pic someone has given her permission to use with a write up in large text including some capitals about how SWEET this person is for letting her use her photograph. She is the best friend in the world ever and she rocks!

I just think that little write-up was to hurt me even more than I am hurting now.

And just to clear things up I am still talking to my friend, She is being really sweet about it. She knows how upset I am and is trying to compensate me for what has happened. But the photographer is passing the buck and letting my friend take all the blame.

lawyer...

so your friend gave her permissiont o use it. she was in the wrong, yes. But any photographer knows not accept permission from someone who didn't take the photo in the first place. how unprofessional.

Unfortunately this happens all too often. I used to frequent DPreview(I left because there wasn't enough photography and too much equipment talk)and there were several instances where people had photographs stolen and blatantly posted on other sites as someone else's work. The biggest difference with you Alison is that you know your thief. I understand your wanting to disappear Alison, having something stolen is very personal and will leave you feeling a little violated. I had my car broken into a few years ago, and the whole thing seemed surreal, I felt worse about the act than I did about the stolen property.
If you look at it from another angle, it's flattering, your work is good enough that someone stole it. Hopefully you'll get this resolved amicably, the person who gave permission to use your work probably thought they were doing you a favor. The strange thing is, the wedding photographer should have known better than to use one of your shots without your permission.
Sounds like your portraiture group needs a session of ethics and ownership, rather than picking on you because you want to protect your property. That's very small of them to boot you out, you are right here, not them. A photograph is your property, and for someone to use it without your permission is just flat wrong, and against the law. Hopefully it won't come to involving the law, and certainly that's up to you if you want to take it that far.
We love you here Alison, keep posting when you feel up to it.

At least you and your friend have managed to stay friends, we live and learn. Great picture as well.
Greg

Ok - that sounds good. Thanks for giving us some more detail. Sounds like something to put in the "live and learn" file. It happens to all of us. We do something with the best of intentions and due to a misunderstanding or whatever, something hits us from behind when we're not expecting it. It looks like this has been resolved. If the photographer wants to teach someone a lesson, it's only because of their guilty conscience. Don't let this stop you from sharing your photos, though. This kind of thing is going to happen. Posting photos online is a calculated risk. And in my opinion, the benefit far outweighs the risk. As long as my photos have a logo on them and they're small, when they get "stolen," it's marketing. Your story is a little more extreme than the average borrowed image. But it's still no reason to hide your work. If no one sees it, what's the point?

So c'mon, now. Don't hide your sunshine :)

I am actually a bit sensitive about posting this pic as I didn't make the necklace. I WILL NOT take credit for something I haven't done.

Like I said the photographer has removed my pic. All she had to do was ask me. I would have let her use it.
Yes it is flattering, especially when I see my friend's, and the said photographer's work, as far better than my own.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alison

This photographer has now removed my picture from her promo and her blog and replaced it with another pic someone has given her permission to use with a write up in large text including some capitals about how SWEET this person is for letting her use her photograph. She is the best friend in the world ever and she rocks!

I just think that little write-up was to hurt me even more than I am hurting now.

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Wow Alison this makes my blood boil just reading this. I can't imagine how upset you must be. She was obviously trying to get under your skin. She is the mean spirited hurtful person NOT you. Hang in there :)

Dave

Hi Alison! Looks like we'll both be frequenting here more! Yup - we both got the same "kicked out of the group e-mail". Yup we're both negative and mean spirited!
WOW - in 2007 people who offer a differing opinion from one moderator are getting kicked off of boards! I didn't think these things happened beyond Junior High!!!
Anyhow - Ali - I know it's been a rough week - and somehow you'll pull through and feel comfortable to share with us again!
Hang in there my friend!
D.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alison

The photographer then used it on a business card. The photographer displayed it on her blog with no mention of my name.

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That's not a photographer. As for the portrait group, it's clearly their loss.

Even if you choose not to pursue this at the moment, try to get a copy of their card with your shot on it. A screen shot of the blog showing your shot would have helped too, but if it's gone it's gone. Print all the emails you've sent and received about it that state your case. Put them in an envelope and file it away where you don't have to look at it every day, but then if you need this info later you have it.

similar thing happened to me
My "friend" and I were fast & loose with our Prints & Negatives
(all stored in the same locker).
One day he walks in oh so very happy & shows me a local magazine.
He had submitted one of my photos as his & they'd chosen it for the cover.
No money involved...but still, my pride was wounded.
That was the beginning of the end of our friendship :(

I could tell the photo was mine by the crappy soft focus :rolleyes: :D

Thanks Diane.
It's at times like this you realise who your true friends are.
I told you how GREAT this forum was didn't I? :thumbsup:

LOL @ Hollis. Bless ya.
It's very hurtful though isn't it?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alison

It's so lovely here.
However I am sat here in FLOODS of tears and have been since yesterday.
They have now kicked me out of their portraiture group.
They say I am negative and mean spirited :(
I can't believe people can hate me so much.

---

Just wait, You will be famous the you and stub them, and get the last laugh. From what I've seen you are anything but mean spirited.

Sorry to hear about this Allison! it bites. I have gone through theft of photos several times but was able to remedy it quickly in most cases. One however will come down to a court hearing in the next couple months as a week from yesterday I'll be doing paperwork to sue someone and shut down his website permanently. He has refused to listen and in fact completely ignores my requests and my attorney's requests to remove one of my photos, and in fact claims it as his own now, yet it's obvious that this particular photo is 100 times better than his P&S photos on the same page. i have another court case with this moron the 13th of March as he has refused to pay on a prior suit, so now I have to garnish his wages...some people are just plain JERKS! Thats OK though, he's the loser in the long run.

JS

Low act Alison...What makes me wonder is do these so called professionals realise they will get caught out eventually and blow their credibility out of the water??

On the subject of you leaving PR can be summed up with the words to a song,,,"Baby please don't go" :rolleyes:

Jurgen

Those mods ought to go work in a bank.

OK I ought to explain - recent newspaper campaign was against bank charges that are far higher than legal.
They published letters for you to use against your bank to claim back bank charges.
Even how to use the Data Protection Act to stop them charging £10 for each copy bank statement.
People were getting thousands back in charges.
Now the banks' answer is to CLOSE the complainers' accounts and tell them to bank elsewhere.

Well there have been some developments today.
I have received very nice apology emails from the moderators, inviting me back into the group. :D

Unfortunately they haven't been so kind to my dear friend Diane. She is still banned for rocking the boat there, voicing her opinion was all she did. Going against the grain and opinions of other members is something they don't seem to like there.

That's what I like so much about being here. We get negative CC so we try hard to get things right.

You all appreciate me far more than I realised.
Wow what a community this is!!! I feel so lucky to be a part of it and I want to say a BIG THANK YOU to everyone here at PR for your support, your kind comments and beautiful pm's.
I have also been receiving emails from Roger R, so although he hasn't posted here he has given me support via emails.

Thank you EVERYONE!

Alison, I'm sorry you've had to go through all of this mess. How horrible. I am very glad that you've chosen to remain here at PR. Your photos are amazing!