Well...I just don't know what to do...
So, I don't have any images to post today. I'm really quite torn about what to do with this blog of mine right now.
Unfortunately, someone has been using images of my girls in their Orkut profiles. I'm not sure if you all know what Orkut is, but apparently it is very similar to MySpace. They create profiles, have groups of friends, communities that they belong to...whatever. Well, with tweens/teens in Brazil, it seems to be some sort of game. They create, and they loudly proclaim it, FAKE profiles. Apparently they start as babies & "grow" themselves up into celebrities with families. So, they just wander around the internet and grab pictures wherever they find them. It seems to be fairly harmless, THANK GOODNESS, but it's still a little frightening considering I had NO idea I was a blip on the radar of people like this. My girls appeared in three different profiles that I found and three different communities. With a lot of pestering, hounding & threats of legal action, I was able to get the three profiles to remove the pictures of the girls. I have not been successful with the communities, yet, but they were not tops on my list as the pictures are much smaller.
Anyway, so, I've been discouraged. I guess I was just naive. I told my mom that I think this blog has made me a better photographer. I really, really do NOT want to give that up. By being put in a position to verbalize what was going through my head or the way I was feeling when I took a particular picture, it has forced me into being more in tune with the moments & emotions that really mean something, so I've been better able to capture them. Was that the most confusing run on sentence of all time? I mean, when I have to reread it eight times to figure out if it makes sense...yeah...that's bad. But, I'm tired, so I'm not rewriting it. Haha! It all boils down to blogging has improved my photography. :-)
So, yeah, I don't know what I'll do with it. I'm not going to quit blogging. I really don't want to make it private either. We'll see.
That's why I have no images. Let's just say I'm not in a hurry to post new pictures here. :(
Unfortunately, someone has been using images of my girls in their Orkut profiles. I'm not sure if you all know what Orkut is, but apparently it is very similar to MySpace. They create profiles, have groups of friends, communities that they belong to...whatever. Well, with tweens/teens in Brazil, it seems to be some sort of game. They create, and they loudly proclaim it, FAKE profiles. Apparently they start as babies & "grow" themselves up into celebrities with families. So, they just wander around the internet and grab pictures wherever they find them. It seems to be fairly harmless, THANK GOODNESS, but it's still a little frightening considering I had NO idea I was a blip on the radar of people like this. My girls appeared in three different profiles that I found and three different communities. With a lot of pestering, hounding & threats of legal action, I was able to get the three profiles to remove the pictures of the girls. I have not been successful with the communities, yet, but they were not tops on my list as the pictures are much smaller.
Anyway, so, I've been discouraged. I guess I was just naive. I told my mom that I think this blog has made me a better photographer. I really, really do NOT want to give that up. By being put in a position to verbalize what was going through my head or the way I was feeling when I took a particular picture, it has forced me into being more in tune with the moments & emotions that really mean something, so I've been better able to capture them. Was that the most confusing run on sentence of all time? I mean, when I have to reread it eight times to figure out if it makes sense...yeah...that's bad. But, I'm tired, so I'm not rewriting it. Haha! It all boils down to blogging has improved my photography. :-)
So, yeah, I don't know what I'll do with it. I'm not going to quit blogging. I really don't want to make it private either. We'll see.
That's why I have no images. Let's just say I'm not in a hurry to post new pictures here. :(
posted by AmyC at
10:51 PM
29 Comments:
I would hate to see you do anything different - you enjoy it as do all of us! But I know I support whatever you decide! DS
Holy shit - that is just wrong. It's so easy for us to think that only we and our friends can see our Blog, if we never really have many random strangers stop by (to show us that people are Googling or Randomly searching Blogger or otherwise finding our Blog without being given the address of led here by friends). By the way, I found this Blog via Meghan's Blog, she links to you. I went down all the links of photo Blogs she had, and tend to visit both yours and Ellen's now.
I think - that you can password protect your Blog. I tried it once, but couldn't figure out how it worked. But maybe that would be a solution - then, only the people who you wanted to give access too, could see. Yes it would be another password for everyone to remember, but crucially, 1) friends understand when it's an important reason like this, 2) it gives you peace of mind, and who could argue with you wanting that?, 3) it allows you to keep your Blog going, as you feel it is helping you.
It was posibly a feature you can do in BetaBlogger now, although when I tried (and failed), it was in normal Blogger - maybe it's easier now. You could always then put a thing at the top of your side panel, saying for new readers to email you for the password (and say who they are, how they found you etc), and make the password something that your friends would associate with you, so they can remember it (like SanAntonio or something ;-) ).
I'm sorry this got to you, I can completely understand, even though I don't have kids. If I'm protective over my photos, I'd be All Time Champ Momma Bear over both my kids and photos of the kids!
Oh, this was Helen - I commented the other day, but don't like to log in at work! Am at home now though.
Oh Amy, I would hate for it to seem as if you were giving into them. I think that's what shutting down your blog would do, and we have to stand tall against them. Plus I'd miss your posts like crazy.
Promise if you do make it private I'll be invited!
I am so sorry this has happened to you and your girls. It happened to me, not on Orkut, but a message board a few days ago. Someone had stolen pictures from my blog and was pretending they were called "Lulu" and were a photographer who lived in Missouri taking MY pictures! the cheek! They got reprimanded at least. Maybe the people who run Orkut can reprimand the people who have stolen your pictures?
I read on ILP that it doesn't seem to do much good though. How about bombarding the community with messages like "Take my pictures down" or something? I don't know, you might give it a try.
I really hope this gets resolved soon, Amy. I really do. Good luck! *love, hearts and kisses*
Amy, I was so sad and angry when I read all this thing about the stolen pics... I totally understand how you feel right now and why you hesitate to keep your blog uptdated... but I also feel so sad to not be able to see your work anymore...
Can't you think to password protect your Blog and give the password at people you know on 2Peas ?
Anyway, whatever your decision, I will understand it and I just hope to be able to continue to see your work and your marvellous daughters...
Big kisses
Amy-that sucks! Don't the pics have "amycoffey photography" on them or can they remove that?
Anyways, I would hate to see you quit blogging, I really enjoy seeing the pics and reading about them. This has even helped me deal with some of the harder issues we've had (Michael and Grampas blogs).
Anyways, let those kids know your the HBIC (LOL-I love saying that) of this blog, maybe give them some good threats or something...I know you have it in you! LOL
But seriously, do whatever you need to do, just know this was really enjoyable.
Amy: I hope you will simply consider why you started this and weigh the personal cost to you and your family and then decide which way to go. If you decide not to do any more pics we are grateful for what we have had. If you decide to continue then we will do whatever we need to do and can do to protect you and the girls.
Love you
Pa
I can totally understand why you don't want to post pictures, especially of your kids - since these people already used your pictures and obviously know your blog it would just seem like you're handing them your pictures (good morning brazilian teens, here's a beautiful picture for you to use for your 5-year-old year...) I'm not making light of this - it creeps me out and I would freak if I saw pictures of my kids on somebody else's page. I did tell one of them in my best portugese to take your picture down (I used the google translator) but when I then copied and pasted it and translated it back into english just for curiosity's sake, it said something about giving a donkey a push. Hmmmm. Bet that scared them. Those crazy americans.
I would hate to not see your pictures anymore - you've been a huge inspiration to me as a photographer and a mother. I hope you figure out a resolution that brings you some peace.
Oh Amy that sucks!! Well Emma and Maya are pretty cute but I guess (like what dogeared said) you should get a password to your blog! That's my thought! And you should take my advice sounds cool!
Hey Amy I just read my own comment it was pretty awsome I got 2 say!
Amy,
That is absolutely so SO wrong. How did you find your pictures on there? I just went to the okrut site and have no clue where to even start looking...
I can't offer any advice because really you are at a point where you have to decide if you want to take a risk posting pictures or not.
I haven't had any images stolen (maybe because you're a better photography than me, lol) but I'm already thinking the same things as you, whether or not to keep my blog, if I keep it should I make it private, etc.
It's a tough decision. I'm so very sorry your images were stolen. I would be really, really upset. It must feel so wrong to see pictures you've taken of your own kids plastered over strangers fake profiles.
I know when I saw your girls' pictures over there I was pi$$ed for you, lol.
Oh Amy... I totally understand. I haven't even seen the site but I heard about it and was very upset. And Lulu - your photos were stolen too?? This is getting out of hand - maybe people don't realize that stealing photos is ILLEGAL?! Not to mention morally wrong. :(
I hope you make the decision that is best for you and your family - we will all understand.
Amy I know this is such a hard thing to bear but please remember- your blog has not only made you a better photographer it has made me and a lot of other people better photographers too! Just in my session today I had a little boy spinning around while walking behind his parents so I could take an "Amy Coffeyish" photo! If you go private I totally understand but please let your loyal followers come along too!
I have been sick about this since I saw the sites with your girls. I was wondering how you were doing but didn't want to pester you - you have enough going on! I love what you wrote about this blog helping your photography - I agree! You are one of the reasons I started a photo blog and it helps me too, but visiting yours helps me as well. I hate that because of one person's selfishness and stupidity, we all have to suffer. We have to back down from enjoying our freedom. I have been debating this issue about my own blog as well and it just makes me mad that they will go on with no consequences but we have to give up something - sharing our blog or handing out our photos. Whatever you decide is right for you and your family is best. We all LOVE you and would stand on our heads if you needed us to, just to visit your blog. You just do what's right and know that you have blessed us with so much wisdom and knowledge (and SO much more!)from the past blog entries and we are so grateful you let us peek into your beautiful life, even if just for a moment. You are so generous to have done that all along. {{{{hugs}}}}
Since everyone's saying how much you've helped them in different ways, let me just add that your blog helps us keep up on what's going on in your day to day life. It helps us feel so much more connected to you, Curt and the girls! Mom
Hey Amy! I just found your blog last week and have really been enjoying it. I have missed seeing your girls and I love your photography. In fact, I have been so inspired by your stuff that I have been pestering Scott about a camera and hopefully by the end of May I will have a new one. I would hate to see your blog go. Anyway, I just wanted to say "Hi!" and let you know I have been thinking of you.
Email me if you have a chance. leigh@feelinfroggie.com
I understand your fears and reservations but just wanted to be another one to chime in and say that if you decide to stop posting your beautiful images... I would miss them terribly
I am so sorry to see that this happened to you. It makes me sick to my stomach that people just don't get it..
I would miss your blog terribly. I love the stories and the pictures!
Are you kidding me?!?! amy, I hope you are not closing down your blog from us, Amy, who love to hang/lurk out here. That is soooo awful. Unfortunately, those people who are not into our craft just do this for "Fun" and make nice, cute space for themselves. I am speechless.
I am so sorry to here this. Please take care.
I am so sorry this has happened to you! I totally understand your hesitation to continue to add photos to your blog....but I'll miss them! Your photos have become such an inspiration.
I'm just curious...how did you discover they were using your photos? I have had a photo blog for the past year and am curious if my photos have ever been used. If you don't mind sharing how you discovered the stolen photos, please email me. :)
Ooops...forgot my email: cacovey@earthlink.net
Amy, PLEASE don't stop blogging. I LOVE your blog. Your blog helps ME become a better photographer.
I'm not one to tell you how you should feel. I would be PISSED to find my kids' pictures somewhere else too.
Please don't let them win. They can't change all the benefits you get from blogging and sharing your love of photography.
I love your blog Amy! You give me so much inspiration! I would be so upset if I were you, and you have to do what is best for your family. BUT, you would be missed!
Oh Amy I'm so sorry your girls have been part of this whole debacle!!! :(
I haven't seen any of mine on there, but I did have a few pics stolen a few weeks ago so added a watermark. I know that doesn't stop everyone- but at least I feel like I'm doing something!
I hope you keep blogging as I LOVE your blog- I am inspired by your daily posts and photos :)
That. Is. Awful.
I, too, am naive to this stuff. I need to start adding logos to my photos, I suppose. But, since I'm not a professional... it just seemed kind of nose-in-the-air to do so.
I saw your above post, and I'm very glad you're going to continue blogging and sharing your gorgeous photos.
Amy,
I had someone contact me and ask if she could use my eldest daughter's pictures. I didn't like it because I was bothered by the fact that she was asking. I mean, why would i let her use my pictures??? GRRRRRRR
I need to go check out the website and make sure I don't have any pictures over there. Would you please email me and tell me how I can check? Thanks so much for your time.
Natalie
oops email is livvydoos@verizon.net.
Thanks ;)
Natalie
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