Do You Reference Images?

[Enbrethiliel]

+JMJ+

I read the blog of an artist who is annoyed when bloggers use images without proper attribution. He was referring primarily to artwork, saying that bloggers should at least name the painting/sculpture and artist, if they don't provide a link back to the site where they found it. He said it is like quoting a writer without naming him or his book.

Now, I personally don't put links back to the sites where I found my images, if only because many of them are blogs just as humble as my own. Then again, my images are usually book covers, album jackets and movie posters (the designers behind which are easy to track down), or news and promotional pictures of authors, musicians, actors, etc.

On occasion, however, I'll use a random image (e.g. a mop and a bucket) to embellish a post. (I don't use pictures of other people, though, because that could get messy.) Would you say I need to link back to the page where I find these general images, just as a matter of courtesy?

What do you do on your blogs?

[Terry Doherty]

Absolutely. It's a matter of respect. No matter where I get it - my personal album, ClipArt I modified, Flickr or Picasa images courtesy, copyright, and professionalism (no matter how humble the blog) dictate that you at a minimum cite where you got it. I use a "sources" at the end, though I've seen more recent etiquette saying you cite as close as logically possible to the image. I also make sure I include the creator's name and whenever possible the actual URL of the place I got it (e.g., Flickr Photo).

[Enbrethiliel]

+JMJ+

Thanks, Terry. =)

[Stacy-Deanne (Novelist)]

Hey En,

I don't have a blog anymore but when I did I mostly talked about movies and celebrities on mine so the pics I used where okay. I never, ever would use a person's personal photos without asking them. I wouldn't want to at all really if I still blogged.

The usage of images depends on different things. I know that some bloggers take images from sites thinking their fair use, but sometimes these turn out to be images the site owner owns like their private images. If a blogger isn't sure then they need to ask the other person because using someone's images like that is as bad as using someone else's writing on a site and not letting them know or asking permission.

People steal people's photos all the time and that is really illegal, but you can't stop that unless the person finds out. I've had photos stolen myself. I think people should do the right thing and ask people's permission because the other person might find out. You can end up in a lawsuit. I don't know why some bloggers think they can take others' images, even if their posts reference to the other person. Some people think the net means "free use for all" but there are laws and rules.

So when in doubt the blogger should ask. Also it depends on the usage of the photo. Say you post a book cover on your blog and the author or publisher doesn't know. Well if you posted it to talk negatively about the author or book (not talking about a review, but to trash and hurt the author's credibility), that's a threat to the author's sales and reputation and that is against the law. Just like you can't put up things about other public figures unless you know it's true or it's fair use. But using an image to trash someone is not fair use.

It's very complicated, LOL! It takes research. I know about how you use images in books but it does get confusing when you talk about the net. Bloggers should use common sense. If photos on someone's site and blog appear personal then they shouldn't post them on their own without permission.

I have pics of some of my landscape photography on my site. I have a strict warning that those pictures are not to be taken from my site or used without permission. If bloggers see warnings such as these and still take the pictures they will be in hot water.

Best Wishes!

http://www.stacy-deanne.net

[Stacy-Deanne (Novelist)]

By the way I think this is a great post! I think all the bloggers on here need to read it. Some bloggers don't seem to concern themselves with "courtesy" or "respect" and think they can use anything they want on their blogs. They need to learn the rules because even though having a blog seems harmless, something you put on it may become more serious than you think. I know of many stories where bloggers were threatened by people's lawyers and some even sued for using images and photos. Some think that just because they see something on another site or blog they can use it. That's not how it works. There are free images for people on the net. They should use those and not assume they can snatch a "pretty" image from someone else's site.

Best Wishes!

[Enbrethiliel]

+JMJ+

Thanks for such a comprehensive answer, Stacy! =D

I've encountered the term "fair use" in the past, and of course think I know what it means; but now I see I need a real crash course. Do you have a link to a page that spells it all out?

[Stacy-Deanne (Novelist)]

Hi E,

No I don't have a specific link but Google should point you to the best sites to explain it. I got what I learned about it from some books I bought years ago. I needed to read up on it for something I was writing. It is complicated that's why people have to be careful what they do online.

Best Wishes!