copycat: protect your images

Cop·y·cat·ted, cop·y·cat·ting, cop·y·cats… The words most hated in microstock (well, after re·ject, I suppose). For the non-native English speakers – copycat as a verb means “to act as an imitator or mimic” (ref: the free dictionary). You can guess the meaning of the other possible uses.

For you as a microstock photographer (although I’d argue – as a photographer in general) this means – your successful work being copied. There’s nothing wrong with others trying to achieve what you already have for learning purposes, for the fun of trying, etc. The problem becomes when one’s successful work is being copied in the context of the marketplace by people who do so purposefully. This is what we’ll be talking about today – what are the consequences and how to prevent it from happening (for some time).

First, a little disclaimer/clarification/intro to the topic, so some of you don’t get offended. I’m not going to argue whether a green apple on seamless background is a copy(cat) of the other green apple on a slightly darker seamless. The photography market is so dynamic, yet so much of it is so similar – beginners seem to share too much in common, so they shoot the same stuff in ways that differ very little. This article is addresses the intentional copying of a certain interpretation of a concept, subject, etc. for commercial purposes.

It’s alright to try and achieve what great photographers have done as part of your exercise – if you’re not trying to mimic them precisely you’d come with a very different result and learn a ton in the process. Just don’t go ahead and try to sell this as “your thing”. Take whatever you’ve learned and make your own thing from scratch. Then sell it.

So, all clear… Let’s dive in the pool of ideas for protecting your images from copycating. It’s actually more of a pond of ideas, given that they’re merely four of them, but they’re basic enough to allow for further thought.

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ten things for free in 2011

Update: As of 11 Dec. the remaining offers have been closed because there is very little time left of 2011 to plan and execute these photo shoots. Still, if you’re interested in any of them – contact me and I’ll see what I can do for you.

WHAT: free photographer, photos for free, me work you enjoy… Call it as you wish – I’ll shoot for 10 of you absolutely for free throughout 2011. Two business promos/ads, two weddings, three family portraits, one personal portrait, two sport events. We’re talking “photo shoot”, not just a single photograph. You only get full res digital copies of the photographs (sorry, no prints).

WHERE: -undefined- (see info below)

WHY: because I enjoy doing things for free, because you like getting things for free, for inspiration’s sake

DETAILS: well, read on

HOW DO I GET IT: post your request in the comments area below

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