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.
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Doing this has broken the images in your RSS feed. You need to provide an exception to allow the images in your feed…
Comment by Sean Phillips — July 19, 2011 @ 12:14 pm
Comment by Neil vN — July 19, 2011 @ 12:28 pm
I always use the rss feed to read on my iPad, no images display nope, hope it can be sorted.
Comment by Jay — July 19, 2011 @ 12:48 pm
Images are not appearing in Google Reader or the popular Reeder app that many use to consume RSS feeds. I don’t believe there is a way to exempt Reeder and that is a problem.
The good thing about allowing hotlinked images it should allow you to more quickly discover who is displaying your photos without license.
Comment by Steve Mermelstein — July 19, 2011 @ 12:56 pm
Im not able to see the images and im using a Apple Mac Powerbook G4 10.5.8./ Hope you can get this fixed!
Comment by Dulal Ahmed — July 19, 2011 @ 1:28 pm
No image displayed on Google Reader just like Steve Mermelstein. Hope you can sort it out soon.
Comment by Angelo Chiu — July 19, 2011 @ 1:45 pm
I’m of the opinion that disabling hotlinking doesn’t really affect plagiarism, in the end the negative impact to legitimate users is usually larger than the gain. People can still easily download any image and host it on their own server. Unfortunately, that’s just how the web works. There isn’t any way around it.
However, I’d like to offer a more enjoyable solution. When you find someone hot linking to images on your site. Just replace that image with one advertising your website. That way you’ll get free advertising on their site…and you’ll chuckle every time you do it. With a little creativity, you can make the images really funny and make those people stealing them look like morons. Just a thought.
Comment by Blake — July 19, 2011 @ 2:22 pm
It’s a shame and I deal with it all the time. Even if you find a different avenue so it can’t be pulled from the site itself, people can still screen capture the photo, unfortunately. Like Blake said above, there isn’t a way around it. You can watermark it across the image?
Too bad this has become a huge issue for you after all the wonderful things you’ve done on this site. I’ve learned so much, it would be unfortunate some inconsiderate people don’t respect copyright.
Comment by Amanda — July 19, 2011 @ 2:35 pm
It has broken google reader viewing. I don’t mind clicking through tho because your blog is just that good. But a tad inconvenient.
Comment by devoted tangent follower — July 19, 2011 @ 3:14 pm
Not working for me either in Google Reader.
It wasn’t working while viewing your website directly earlier, but that piece seems to have been fixed now.
Comment by April — July 19, 2011 @ 3:28 pm
Neil,
I just send you an email with a possible solution for the hotlinking and the RSS feeds. The topic of the email is: Hotlinking and RSS problems, a solution.
Comment by Peter van der Does — July 19, 2011 @ 4:12 pm
Comment by Neil vN — July 19, 2011 @ 4:23 pm
Hy Neil, still no images in google reader… I hope you’ll find the right solution but in the meantime… don’t leave us without your precious work and keep on showing us your gorgeous pictures!
Comment by gioacchino — July 19, 2011 @ 4:43 pm
Same issue with google reader, images show up as “lifted from”, and when you hit the link to view the site, the image is cached in the browser so it shows up as ‘lifted from’ on your site as well, until you do a shift-reload to clear the cache.
Comment by Alan — July 19, 2011 @ 5:40 pm
Yikes! Can we know exactly what was done Neil? Were they re-purposing your blog and images? Or Lifting it straight?
Comment by Arnold Gallardo — July 19, 2011 @ 6:03 pm
Hey Neil, some pictures I take, that I really like I hesitate on posting on websites because I have had my picture show up on e-bay as a way to sell a item. I also think why would someone steal my images when there are so many pictures better then mine to take.
But don’t you watermark your images?? How can they plagiarize that?
Comment by DD — July 19, 2011 @ 6:50 pm
Comment by Griffin Stewart — July 19, 2011 @ 8:08 pm
Neil, Sorry to hear you’re having the issues. FYI…a quick check shows that I can still drag an image off your page onto my desktop. Yes, it’s screen resolution…but if I were a ne’er-do-well…I could use it on some web project I have. I don’t know what the right solution is yet. I know we ought to be concerned and protect our intellectual property. But as others have noted, sometimes we can only accomplish that protection in ways detrimental to what we’re trying to do in the first place. Really enjoy all that you share, and have certainly co-opted the BFT in my kit! Best, Brian.
Comment by Brian — July 19, 2011 @ 9:20 pm
Comment by Neil vN — July 19, 2011 @ 9:32 pm
THIS DOES NOT WORK AT ALL.
IF YOU YOU CAN NOT RESOLVE IT, CLOSE THE SITE.
IT IS SO ANNOYING.
Comment by HITOSHI UJIIE — July 19, 2011 @ 9:41 pm
Comment by Neil vN — July 19, 2011 @ 9:43 pm
Comment by Neil vN — July 19, 2011 @ 9:47 pm
I know you are upset by my comments. But this is the reality of blogs and internet world. I post very valuable information on my site including marketing reports of inkjet textile printing. Someone might pay a lot of money for this but I made it open for my choice.
I appreciate your sites and information you gave to all of us. But the problem like this is given. This is why I said it.
Comment by HITOSHI UJIIE — July 19, 2011 @ 10:00 pm
Comment by Neil vN — July 19, 2011 @ 10:03 pm
OK.
I am not going to type or visit anymore.
But my last comment is that you need to understand “this is the concept of social network”, which involves inherited problems like this.
Comment by HITOSHI UJIIE — July 19, 2011 @ 10:26 pm
Great. Now where am I going to go to find commentary from experts in inkjet textile printing!!!
And, yeah, no images still. :(
Comment by Kevin — July 19, 2011 @ 11:44 pm
Comment by Neil vN — July 19, 2011 @ 11:49 pm
Neil, I’ll jump through rings of fire to read your site. I’ll pay. I’ll dual-boot my Mac to Windows if that’s what it takes. I read every damn relevant photography website, just about every day, and Tangents is the best. It’s sad that people are willing to copy your work outright (I googled your paragraph on your ‘About’ page, that thing has gone international!) and asinine that they think people won’t notice. People say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but fuck ‘em. Do what you have to do to keep this thing running and I’ll do what I have to do to follow you.
Comment by John Woods — July 20, 2011 @ 12:02 am
It works fine for me now, using google reader; you did not allow to comment on the newest post, the one asking if it works or not.
Thanks for the great blog!
Comment by Leo — July 20, 2011 @ 12:35 am
Comment by Neil vN — July 20, 2011 @ 12:40 am
Neil,
I understand your frustrations. I had a website a few years ago (non commercial and just something I put together to share my interests in trekking and photography) but I too got fed up with people taking my images etc., and finally I pulled the plug on it.
What I hope, is that you take some solace in the fact that so many people find your blog such a valuable resource. I don’t do any paid photographic work, but I learn so much from you, and I transfer that in to helping me improve my own photographic skills.
You are one of those photographers who are willing to share your knowledge in helping to develop the wider photographic community and for that I salute you.
David
Comment by DT — July 20, 2011 @ 2:52 am
I have no issues if there are no pics in RSS. I use RSS only to see the blurb of a post before clicking thru to the post. RSS is not supposed to replace the whole post. If somehow apple has misused this by somehow reading the whole post via RSS then …
Also your link to the post with ‘Mandy’ doesn’t do anything?
Comment by Jan — July 20, 2011 @ 3:01 am
Neil, i am totally with you. I drive a small BLOG with text and pictures and i experience the same you do ! There are some persons not willing to accept copyrights, they will not stay on the legal side, they are Thieves !! They are criminals ! And they should be treated like such! It is indeed hard to open lawsuits against them due to protection thru the internet. There is no real legal regulation on such Internet crimes. And due to the international aspect of internet we do need some internation valid legal methods to protect our products. It does not matter what it is. When it is NOT mine, i have to ask or to buy it in order to get the rights of using it. But those persons in the dark, anonymous IP World, will always do their ciminal acts….they lack of moral, sense of what is right and wrong. They are spoiled brats… need punishment ! I hate to say that but such persons are criminals in my eyes. They use products from other persons to enrich themselfs without paying for it. The believe INTERNET IS FOR FREE !!
It is NOT !
So please, stay online. I love your website and i bought both books :)
Sometimes i think i should watermark all my published stuff like this “This picture was stolen from kweide and his BLOG”
Regards
Klaus
Comment by Klaus — July 20, 2011 @ 5:04 am
Thanks Neil for the humorous Louis C K video.
Comment by parv — July 20, 2011 @ 5:40 am
Neil,
I am really disgusted by the behavior of some players in the “stealing” the images that your wonderful work produced.
All your work, your pictures, your photography lessons must be absolutely unique to your property ‘.
No one can ‘and should take advantage of this amazing site for their own benefit.
Some people should be punished!!
We will report ‘, here in Italy, If I find’ bad guys who dared to take advantage of your photographs.
Forever grateful and supporter of this wonderful site.
Edy Trigona Genoa Italy
Comment by Edy — July 20, 2011 @ 5:40 am
Works for me now, many thanks.
Comment by Jay — July 20, 2011 @ 7:48 am
Thanks it works again.
It’s true that yesterday seeing those images been replaced was quite annoying.
But I do understand the reasons why you did this.
Quite happy you find a solution to let us read your articles through google reader :-)
Comment by Bruno Delzant — July 20, 2011 @ 8:13 am
Neil,
I have to agree with John Woods. Your website is one of the best I’ve found. Every time I read a post, I come away more knowledgeable, more equipped to handle the variety of situations in which I find myself when shooting. Thank you so much for providing all of this knowledge (and the accompanying examples and illustrations) for free. I hope that the actions of some people don’t negate the benefits that so many of us receive.
Comment by Vincent — July 20, 2011 @ 8:22 am
Neil, I too, think you should just close your site. Then, adopt me as a son and second shooter. Hell, I’ll even let you date my Mom and call you Dad.
Thanks for everything you do on here. Not only do enjoy the images but the information is priceless.
Comment by Shane — July 20, 2011 @ 10:05 am
images are showing up now in different RSS readers for me.
Thanks!
Comment by Ovidiu — July 20, 2011 @ 10:29 am
Neil you are allowed to smooch with my neighbors young cat ….
Thanx
Klaus
Comment by Klaus — July 20, 2011 @ 12:14 pm
Comment by Neil vN — July 20, 2011 @ 12:54 pm
LoL I was hoping that comment had enough sarcasm dripping from it. Though, my mom is quite a catch!
Comment by Shane — July 20, 2011 @ 3:15 pm
Neil, all’s well that ends well, your great images are popping out again from my grey google reader.
BTW, I really liked your photo of the bride with only available light.
Comment by gioacchino — July 20, 2011 @ 5:57 pm
It’s kinda mind boggling how the semi-anonymity of the internet gives some people license to let loose their inner @$$hole. Knowing there is pretty much nothing you can do to stop them, the bottom feeders suddenly find a pair of b@ll$ to ‘do as they wilt’. The facade of strength, covering up absolute cowardice.
The internet is within itself, both heaven and hell.
Keep up the great work Neil. You’ve taught so many people so much … please don’t let the actions of a couple fuktards ruin it for the rest of us.
—Rob
Comment by Rob Lowry — July 21, 2011 @ 1:19 am
Hi Neil
Maybe you can have a look at the website http://www.rayjardine.com/index.shtml.
I don’t know how he does it, but is seems that one can copy neither pix nor text from there. I don’t know how it is with RSS etc. Maybe the techniques could work for you as well.
I hope this helps.
Regards
Alex
PS: Since a few months I am reading your tangents site. It is quite a mind-opener. Just like the Jardine website: different topics though.
Comment by Alex — July 21, 2011 @ 2:23 am
Sorry about that. But I’m happy now it’s OK, it is indeed a crazy world.
Comment by fotografii aniversari — July 21, 2011 @ 7:30 am
Alex,
There are small scripts one can place into the code of a web page that will disable all right-click actions and simply throw up a small dialog box instead. That appears to be what he’s done. The images are all individually loaded into embedded flash players though. No, you can’t right-click > save, but you could still hit printscreen and paste into a document in Photoshop, so I don’t really see why he went to all the trouble.
Comment by Lance — July 21, 2011 @ 11:22 am
Comment by Neil vN — July 21, 2011 @ 5:25 pm
I guess the only think to do is a very large watermark across the image ehh Neil?
Comment by Arnold Gallardo — July 21, 2011 @ 6:32 pm
Neil-
I’m so so so SO sorry morons are making it difficult for you. There are so many of us out here that ADORE you and your site and would be so sad if anything happened to it. For most of us, it would never cross our minds to use someone else’s images! That is the very essence of our business and you would think fellow artists would understand that one thing if nothing else!
I’d pay for your site. I’d pay just for your pithy liners and analysis. You are phenomenal!
We are not entitled to your wealth of information and you are gracious and generous to let us have it for free. For that, I thank you. No really. THANK YOU.
-Erin, just a random photographer who is indebted to you and extremely appreciative of your insane talent
Comment by Erin — July 21, 2011 @ 10:51 pm
I am using RSS feeds i cant see an image at all
Comment by Lawrence — July 23, 2011 @ 1:52 am
Comment by Neil vN — July 23, 2011 @ 5:21 am
I use Reeder for Mac and the images are back!
Comment by David Kindler — July 25, 2011 @ 2:20 pm