When you have captured a good image, an image worth selling through a stock image library, I think the first thing you look forward to is a paycheck. The above is an image I own that is listed with Gerry Images. I think it's a great picture but I haven't had a single sale for it. Sure I have sold other images but this one in particular was a fav of mine.

This is the perfect validation you want to have as a photographer that is to have someone buy our picture because they think it is good, but unfortunately the world at large doesn't think you deserve this. 

I have come across a legal site, here, which teaches you how to respond to copyright image theft demands from legal entities. It tells you how to cheat and steal images. And how you respond is perfectly legal.

In America, Getty Images is probably one of the last few image agencies that send out legal letter to demand payment for use of an image, be it online or offline. 

The final fee is always between 1,000 to 800 USD. Apparently, lawyers in the US can handle the case for you, without you coming out to pay the penalty demanded by Getty Images for just US$500 in legal fees. That's it. This is of course assuming that you used an image online on your commercial website. 

To me, photographers in general are having their work screwed over if they do not carry out their own due diligence to sue whoever steals their images. It gets a bit more tricky when you have to deal with a lawyer as every case you wish to file needs to have them pursue the case for you. 

Getty to Sue Google for Image Theft

In the EU, where photo and image works enjoy a bit more protection, Getty Images is suing Google for image search results.

Apparently Getty's business in the EU has been badly affected since Google started to return image results based on Meta Data searches that match the size (resolution) you are looking for. The lawsuit is going to be filed in Brussels and photographers are keeping their fingers crossed.

People have started to steal images based on searches they make online. Google will return the desired result of an image resolution you are looking for. So if say you are looking for a mother and baby photo, a high resolution image exist somewhere and this could be in a Photographer's Online Portfolio. Even 500px will list photos with 1500 x 1000 pixels that turn up on a Google search. This means you can scale up the photo with an image program like BlowUp from Alien Skin Software. 

Image theft has been made so much more easier. And in real world use, there isn't any reason why anyone would even bother to capture an image to sell online if you knew such technology existed. 

The worst part of it, digital camera companies are sitting idly, twiddling their thumbs in the hope you ante up to a more expensive digital camera. They are not even in the forefront of the battle since they sell the very equipment that takes the photos. Image theft isn't their business and because of this shallow world view, their business of making cameras is in jeopardy. Declining sales have been attributed to smart phone cameras but they are not facing up with the issue of the photography business going into decline. They have never cared to set up a coalition against image theft to protect the very customers they rely on to buy their wares.

I haven't had the chance to upgrade my 12 megapixel camera in many years and you know why? No one is going to pay for the photos I take so I why I might add, buy newer and more expensive cameras? Makes no sense to me. 

Photographers who are going to irk out a living on photography would be better off getting a used camera instead of new one. Do you need that low light ISO capability? Nope. So why would it matter to buy a brand new 40 megapixel full frame camera when a 24 megapixel full frame camera from two years ago would do the job?

Digital Photography is in decline thanks to the Internet of Things. There is no two ways about it. 

I do not think for one moment it will get any better before it gets worst and you as a photographer should realize that the pains of having your work stolen is very real and you should in some ways have a back up plan. Who knows, you could take a second job working as a barrista, or maybe even do stand up comedy to complete the 12 hour work day you signed up for. 

So take it from me, you have been warned.

After its rebranding exercise, 500px was suddenly in hot soup after it announced that it is going into China with 500px.me as part of their expansion drive. 

What CEO Andy Yang didn't know was he had opened a door to a hornet's nest. 

As Andy pointed out in the Series B Funding scheme, Visual China Group which poured in the money expects 500px to be live in China. So when 500px started a Beta site to test out the system by mirroring the same content in China as well as their global site, photographers went on a rant to say that they didn't give their permission to go live in China. This is of course utterly stupid since 500px is not blocked in China after checking. 

China a Country for Pirates?

The only reason why photographers feel insecure is that they fear their photos would be stolen. I find this highly amusing as for some reason, photographers do not know that their most precious works are regularly stolen in the western world as well as sites like 500px are not responsible for the content you put up. 

For example, if you have a large screen computer like the iMac, you can take a high resolution snapshot of the screen and it will be saved in TIFF. The snapshot file can then be extrapolated to a larger image when you have the right software. 

To think that by displaying your images on 500px.com versus 500px.me is safer is pure hilarity. 

True. China has as bad rap for stealing anything but if their beef is with China Vision Group, the investor of 500px, then you probably have it coming. First, 500px has already given away your images as free backdrops on Chromecast. You don't get a cent if you get featured. 

China Vision Group is a content company, now owned by Alibaba.com. 

The deal is no different than 500px giving Google a free ride on Chromecast. 

500px.me will remain in Beta?

Probably not after Andy pulled the plug as he was trashed in social media for not seeking permission. 

To me, all this hullabaloo is pointless for the following reasons. 

• 500px.me is meant to be a Chinese centric site, 500px can still go ahead without the .me prefix and have a dual language login for Chinese users. This means the Chinese site will be a CDN site hosted in China. 

• 500px is not a well known source for royalty free imaging since their pricing is much higher and the stock image market is going on a downward spiral. It makes no sense to think you can earn less by not allowing the Chinese to view your images. 

• TTIP and TPPA makes no mention that your images would be protected under their copyright terms. What is protected are Music and Movies, not to mention TV content as well. Again, to think that you will have more copyright protection with these trade pacts is pure fantasy. 

Having to get your permission for 500px to use your images in China is just another layer that does nothing for you as a photographer or your earnings. If you are serious about not having your images stolen, then don't display them on any social site. 

It makes no sense to do so if you know technology well enough to conduct image theft.