Miami skyline fireworks © Carsten Reisinger

There is only little research about how many images online are stolen but the results are concerning nonetheless. Picscout did some researching and found out that 9 out 10 images used online were unauthorized. See here for some more coverage on that topic.

So [...]]]>

Miami skyline fireworks © Carsten Reisinger

There is only little research about how many images online are stolen but the results are concerning nonetheless. Picscout did some researching and found out that 9 out 10 images used online were unauthorized. See here for some more coverage on that topic.

So it doesn’t hurt as a photographer or illustrator to take advantage of some tools to track down a few copyright infringements and maybe even make some claims.

Google recently released a fantastic new feature in the Images search that will blow your mind. Goto http://images.google.com/ and you will see a little photo camera in the right corner in the search field. Click on that camera to either enter an image URL or upload one of your shots so Google can check where else it is available online.

You can even use a plugin for Chrome or Firefox to simply right click any image in your browser and fire up Google’s Image Search. You can find the extensions on the Google web site here.

Now be careful, not all search results mean that the image has been used in an unauthorized way. First make sure how your image was originally published (just a flickr upload or was it offered for sale at Getty Images?). If the image is offered for sale at a Rights Managed agency and they never registered a sale there is a good chance that the image is used illegally.

Just ensure what license you offer to everyone online regarding your images. Often, people upload images to web galleries where they unintentionally give away their usage rights for that image and anyone who likes the image can use it freely.

Always read the terms and conditions of any web site where you upload any type of content so you don’t shoot yourself in the foot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYQ_jX2BO6I

As wide as 78″ and printed on your preferred type of canvas you can even [...]]]> Get your personal poster print of the Miami skyline and pick from a variety of designs. Check my lens at Squidoo to see my hand picked photos which you can order as large format art prints.

As wide as 78″ and printed on your preferred type of canvas you can even chose from different custom framing options.

These posters are only available here.

More products like postcards, mouse pads, stickers etc. are also available in my Zazzle store. Don’t hesitate to contact me for custom designs.

Also feel free to take a peak into my Zazzle store and check out my iPhone 4 cases like the ones you can see here.

Gavel and sound block on white background

I’m looking for young and ambitious IP lawyers in the Miami area.

Many industries underwent huge changes in the last decade, basically leading to the erosion of prices. With the connection of almost every household to the internet, countless new opportunities have been created. But [...]]]>

Gavel and sound block on white background

I’m looking for young and ambitious IP lawyers in the Miami area.

Many industries underwent huge changes in the last decade, basically leading to the erosion of prices. With the connection of almost every household to the internet, countless new opportunities have been created. But not just opportunities, also new forms of criminal activities have been on the rise.

New industries and new businesses are now in need of legal representation or assistance.

Unfortunately, I cannot go into further details publicly, so therefore I’d appreciate it if you contact me via email.

If you are not from Miami but still interested, don’t hesitate to contact me as well.

1. Create a [...]]]> So you’ve done the work once: Creating the image, applying keywords and uploading it to the agencies. It would be a shame not to use the full potential of your artwork. Therefore I recommend to explore more ways how to monetize your images. Here are some ideas how to do that:

1. Create a Zazzle (Cafepress etc.) account and put your images on T-Shirt, Mugs, postcards, posters and more. You set your own commission which is a nice benefit. You will have to market your products also by telling friends, posting on facebook etc. to increase sales.

2. Create a photo book. At www.blurb.com you can create high quality photo books for a reasonable price. You can show off your work with such a book and eventually find buyers this way.

3. Participate in photo contests. Search the web and you will always find some photo contest looking for entries.

4. Sell prints of your images on ebay. Create your own large prints get a frame and let the bidding begin.

5. Set up your own web site from scratch or use www.smugmug.com to give you a head-start so you can showcase your best work. Visitors, models and clients can order prints directly from your site. It’s convenient, professional and a very individual way to market your work.

Feel free to recommend more ways so I can add them to the list.

Once you have shot, edited, uploaded and sold some files you get an idea what the buyers like and what themes and concepts they prefer. Use that information in order to take existing images and give them [...]]]> Sometimes when we run low on inspiration we can easily keep ourselves busy by “recycling our images”.

Once you have shot, edited, uploaded and sold some files you get an idea what the buyers like and what themes and concepts they prefer. Use that information in order to take existing images and give them a twist.

Easy example:

This can easily lead to double or triple the sales of the same concept.

Always make sure that you are using your RAW files or uncompressed TIFFs in 16-bit when editing!

As a general matter, copyright infringement occurs when a copyrighted work is reproduced, distributed, performed, publicly displayed, or made into a derivative work without the permission of the copyright owner.

This is pretty clear what it means.

However,  to some “artists” it’s [...]]]> Definition of copyright infringement by the U.S. Copyright Office:

As a general matter, copyright infringement occurs when a copyrighted work is reproduced, distributed, performed, publicly displayed, or made into a derivative work without the permission of the copyright owner.

This is pretty clear what it means.

However,  to some “artists” it’s a relative term when it comes to using one (or more) of your images for their artwork.

In these instances it is highly recommended to have your images already registered for copyright as an attorney will ask you first if you did so. Registering your copyright will make it a lot easier to find a lawyer who might even take the case on a contingency basis. Furthermore the more severe the infringement is, the more likely it is to receive a settlement down the road.

Additionally it has to be mentioned that a concept or idea can NOT be registered for copyright. Only the image that you created is registered and that’s that.

In very few instances Getty Images won cases where photographers used images from Getty as “inspiration” and re-shot the image. But this isn’t happening too often and furthermore requires litigation in court which is very costly.

As soon as you find one of your images being infringed by someone else do some research and check if you can get an attorney to take the case. The bigger the infringement the higher the chances to receive a settlement out of court.

In small cases where someone “just” violates licensing terms (i.e. used the full resolution image in their blog) either contact the stock image agency that sold the image or contact the administrator/owner directly to ask for a valid license if in doubt. Otherwise prepare a claim for copyright infringement and email it to the web hosting company to have the infringing material removed.

P.S. I’m not an attorney and this information is not intended to be interpreted as legal advice. This article is supposed to be helpful to you in order to protect your copyright. Always consult an attorney to get professional advice!

Happy middle aged man © Carsten Reisinger

Microstock allows you to start from (almost) nothing. At some point though you most likely will start shooting models instead of objects or landscapes.

There are several ways to do that.

1. Shoot your friends and family – those will be the “cheapest” models out [...]]]>

Happy middle aged man © Carsten Reisinger

Microstock allows you to start from (almost) nothing. At some point though you most likely will start shooting models instead of objects or landscapes.

There are several ways to do that.

1. Shoot your friends and family – those will be the “cheapest” models out there!

2. Put a free ad on www.cragislist.com to find local people that want to model. Mention in the ad what your budget is or if you want only models that accept images from the shoot as compensation.

3. Contact local model agencies for professional models.

4. Websites like www.modelmayhem.com where you can find more professional models. Oftentimes these models want to be compensated.

In more rural areas you can also put up notes at your local supermarket etc. with your contact information. A good thing to keep in mind is that in many cases you need your model to “act out” a certain situation or look. This way I recommend to target specifically actors as models as they will be more responsive to your directing.

2. Initial submissions for application. Click here for more information.

3. Got approved? Shoot as much as you can.

4. Running short on time?

5. Stay informed. Check independent forums for the latest news in the business.

It’s not rocket [...]]]> 1. Create a contributor account. Check here for recommended agencies.

2. Initial submissions for application. Click here for more information.

3. Got approved? Shoot as much as you can.

4. Running short on time?

5. Stay informed. Check independent forums for the latest news in the business.

It’s not rocket science and if you follow all my tips you will save a lot of time and get your images online the fastest way possible.

This article will be updated.