In an attempt to deal with some persistent plagiarism and reposting of my work on other sites, I’ve [temporarily] disabled hot-linking of images from my site.

If this somehow affects your viewing of the images in the various articles, please let me know here via a comment, so that I may have a clearer idea of the implications of that.

Sorry if this has inadvertently affected anyone.

Dino Direct – image theft and blatant misrepresentation

update: March 04, 2011
I have added the PDF screengrab of the page where DinoDirect was using my images without my consent … because when I confronted them about it on their Facebook page, they removed the page, and are acting dumb about it. Trying to appear innocent. As if.

Someone let me know today, Feb 24, that they had discovered some of my images on the website of Dino Direct. Apparently it is a company that distributes all kinds of electronic goods, including video lights. Dino Direct took it upon themselves to appropriate three of my images; crop out my logo; and add their own logo. Blatant theft of my images.

But worst still, they are misrepresenting themselves with those images …

If you look at them, you will see they clearly imply that *those* photographs were taken with specific gear that they are trying to peddle to the unaware. Of course, there is no phone number to contact them, and their 24/7 live chat is unavailable.

To anyone who might be using or think of using Dino Direct, be aware of their unethical way of promoting their business.

Here are screengrabs of my images as they appear on their site, as well as links to my images where I used them on my site … if there might’ve been any doubt.

Here are my photographs, if proof was needed:

http://neilvn.com/tangents/2009/11/26/using-two-video-lights/
http://neilvn.com/tangents/2010/05/24/video-light-and-daylight/
http://neilvn.com/tangents/2009/09/02/bounce-flash-vs-video-light/

Here’s an update: March 04, 2011

DinoDirect is playing dumb on their Facebook page, even though I supplied the link to this page. They obviously saw the linked page and removed it.

then they removed the page …

… and acted innocent about it:

… but that’s okay, I expected that this is how they would play this particular game, so I made a screengrab the moment I had discovered Dino Direct’s theft of my images on their site. (The link leads to a PDF file which will clearly show their use of my images.)

So, Dino Direct, simply removing the images doesn’t make you less guilty … or more innocent.

Some sayings in photography are thrown out there so often that they’ve achieved a life of their own, and become truisms that are summarily accepted and then perpetuated. 
Here they are - the 10 most annoying platitudes in photography …

Actually, I was going to name this post clichés in photography, but that would imply visual clichés. But tastes differ too widely, and I wouldn’t want to be the Style Police and dictate to other photographers which subjects and approaches are deemed cool. Besides, I think the world could always use more photos of pretty girls sitting on train tracks.

So here they are – things that make me grind my teeth:

1.   ”you have to know the rules to break the rules”
2.   “the camera is only a tool”  /  ”it’s the photographer, not the camera”
3.   ”zoom with your feet”
4.   either / or  debates
5.   circular reasoning in order to rationalize something
6.  “fake it until you make it”  /  ”but everyone started somewhere”
7.   the superiority of film because of some mystical qualities
8.   B&W = art
9.   ambient light purists
10. “don’t worry how it looks now, just fix it in Photoshop later”

And here’s why …

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  1.  “you have to know the rules to break the rules”

Apparently there are sets of pre-ordained rules of photographic composition which need to be adhered to .. and when you know enough, or are daring enough, you can break them. But it seems first we have to learn these rules.

What I kick against here is that in using specific rules of composition in the first place, we become technicians, constructing images with a specific prescribed balance to them .. instead of an artistic approach where we intuitively and spontaneously react to the subject and what we see.

2.  “the camera is only a tool”
       ”it’s the photographer, not the camera”

There are variations on these themes – an odd way to rationalize that better quality equipment doesn’t matter at all. The reasoning is often on the lines of: “A Great Photographer with crappy camera will produce better work than a total noob with a pro camera.” This skewed rationalization completely overlooks the truth that the same Great Photographer with a pro camera will have a clear advantage over if he had used lesser gear. That would be the more truthful comparison.

A better camera, better lenses, better speedlight, etc … will all allow you in becoming a better photographer, and achieving better images. To grow as a photographer, it definitely helps if your equipment isn’t a limitation. As such, I strongly believe you should use the best gear that you can afford. And I can already hear the internal dialogue here … so, no, I didn’t say that a more expensive camera will make someone a better photographer. Let me try this again. Better equipment will enable you, and not limit you.

As someone pointed out to me, even though the saying is that “the best camera is the one you actually have in your hands”, you might still wish you had the REALLY good camera.

3.  “zoom with your feet”

The prime lenses-only brigade often throw this out there as a reason why they don’t need zoom lenses. But let’s get this straight once and for all – there is no such thing as “zooming with your feet”.
- If you move, your perspective changes. And with a wide-angle lens, your apparent perspective changes dramatically .. sometimes by just moving a few inches left / right or to the front / back.
- If you zoom in or out, or change lenses, and don’t change your position, then your perspective stays the same.

Besides, it isn’t always possible to move forwards and backwards to frame a shot. If I photograph a group of people, and my back is against the wall, then there really is nowhere for my feet to go. I have to be able to use a shorter focal length, whether by changing lenses or zooming. In this case, “hold it, hold it!” while you change lenses, just isn’t as practical as a zoom. And on that topic …

4.  either / or debates

aaah yes, the either / or arguments.  Silly arguments debating two ends of any spectrum, when the answer is some common-sense place in-between the two extremes.  For example:

primes  vs  zooms 
  – the answer is:  Use primes and zooms. Use what is necessary and appropriate to the job on hand.

technical expertise  vs  artistic vision
  – the answer is:  You need both the technical expertise and artistic sensibility to be a strong photographer.

5.  circular reasoning in order to rationalize something

This comes in various flavors. Here’s an example:
Someone will defend using a slow zoom as opposed to using a faster lens, whether zoom or prime. They reason away the slow aperture by saying they could always crank up the ISO.  (As if they have a higher ceiling than the photographer using a faster lens.)

Now where this doesn’t make sense is that there will be situations where someone with a faster lens will still have headroom, but the photographer with the slow zoom will have cranked his ISO to the max and have nowhere else to go …. except the next step … by explaining how they could get away with shooting at a slower shutter speed.

See, you just can’t pin some people down .. there’s always a side-step to logic as they try and avoid the inevitable and unavoidably clear truth in this case … a fast lens is faster than a slow lens.

6.  “fake it until you make it”
      “but everyone started somewhere”

These two are variations on the same theme, and something you often see as defensive arguments to rationalize why a complete noob should think nothing of it to use a professional assignment or shoot (such as a wedding) as a time to learn about photography. Sure, we all constantly learn and grow as photographers over time, but really, 3 days before your first wedding is not the time to ask on a forum what settings you should use. Lack of experience shouldn’t be glossed over with the trite comments.

7.  the superiority of film because of some mystical qualities

A few years back you might still have had a viable argument about which is better, digital or film. Right now, there is a clear answer … which means that photographers who love film (for whatever reason), now have to rely on the mystical, the ephemeral in an attempt to explain why film is superior. We now hear how film is … oh, just more organic than digital. Or cinematic. Or has that indefinable quality or mystique that digital somehow just doesn’t have.

Seriously, if you like film, knock yourself out, just don’t go all New Age on me trying to justify it. And no, film doesn’t have more dynamic range than digital.

PS … I don’t miss the smell of fixer either.

8.  B&W = art

Again, if you prefer B&W, knock yourself out, just don’t try and push it as being more pure than color. Or more true. Or conveying more emotion. Or something. Or being art. I mean .. Art.

9.  ambient light purists

Oh, for me, this is an obvious choice for this list. ;)
“I’m an available light photographer” .. thrown out there with a superior air as if they look down on someone who understands how to use additional lighting, whether flash, video lights or reflectors. I’ve said it before … our style should be borne from choices we make, not from our limitations. Use what you need to use to improve a scenario.

10. “don’t worry how it looks now, just fix it in Photoshop later”

Here I simply want to quote Zack Arias .. “If you find yourself saying I’ll fix it in Photoshop, stop and slap yourself in the face, because you’re being lazy”

And a final two for the list …

11. “If it is good enough for Big Name Photographer,
         then it is good enough for me … “

12. a red stripe makes your lens superior to other brands and makes.

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Photographers are more and more becoming the target for scammers and con artists.  The latest trick for them is to book the photographer for a date, and then pay via bank guaranteed check or via credit card. The scam comes into play in that they over-pay, and then ask for a refund of that portion of the money.  The bank guaranteed check of course is fake, or the credit card they used is stolen.  And the end result is that the photographer who is naive enough to fall for this, is out of pocket by whatever amount they refunded to the scammers.  

Here’s an example of an email I received last week:

From: mike steel

Sent: Tuesday, July 08, 2008 12:06 PM
Subject: PHOTOGRAPHER NEEDED

Hello

i will like to Make an enquiry Concerning my Wedding Which would be Coming up on the 5th of september 2008 ,i need a Good Photographer/videographer who will be Covering all the event(5 hours).Please let me know if you are Available and if you have facilities to accept Credit Card Payments.

Hope to hear from you in other to know your Prices

Warmest Regards

Mark

First of all, the poor spelling and grammar is usually a clue.

Then the next clue is that they aren’t specific about what they want … they just want to give you money. No matter whether you are a photographer or videographer.

Then there’s another clue in the inconsistent info, or the lack of info. And when you ask for more details, they will supply some details but will usually remain vague. Or the details won’t match up. Note how the email is from ‘Mike’ but the email is signed by ‘Mark’.

I played along with them for a while, trading emails, but they finally lost interest when I asked whether he is Mike (the “groom”), or Mark (who signed the first email), since I wasn’t sure who I am actually responding to. Here’s their reply.

lol. i see its my twin brother!
sorry!

Riiiiiiiight!!

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It seems like the scammers have come up against photographers who are wise to this, and insist on speaking to them over the phone, because the emails have changed slightly now. Now the emails are from the bride’s mother, who happens to be deaf now. However, the rest of the wording remains the same.

Hello
My name is Rose Winans, I Live in Wood-Ridge, NJ 07075, but presenlt in North Corolina for the sake of the Wedding, I will be back soon I am deaf if not i would love to call about this enquiry, I will like to Make an enquiry Concerning my Son’s Wedding which would be Coming up on the 29th of August 2008 , I need a Good photographer/videographer who will be Covering all the event (5 hours) In NJ. Please let me know if you are Available and if you have facilities to accept Credit Card Payments (No Paypal, i dont have a paypal acc).
Hope to hear from you in other to know your Prices.
Regards
ROS

And again, note the bad spelling and grammar, and lack of details.
She even misspells her own name.

You know, we might actually be in trouble the day that these scammers become more articulate. ;)

If you find these articles interesting and of value, then you can help by using
these affiliate links to order equipment & other goodies.   Thank you!

Stay informed of new articles via the monthly newsletter.
Also join us on the Tangents forum for further discussions.