Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Since photography is more of a hobby than my main trade (line of work), I am not deeply concerned. But, after I have investing my time, my gear and my money for that one photograph, I would not enjoy someone else reaping the rewards of my labor. There is something known as a Poor Man's Copyright. I learned about this when I started photography classes in high school. The story goes, all you must do is stick the work into an envelope and mail it to yourself through the United States Postal Service. Once it arrives back on your doorstep, keep the sealed envelope—now with the postal date stamp—in a safe place. That sealed envelope results in copyright protection. If anyone tries to steal your photograph, you can prove its yours.

But don't be fooled; the process will not yield you an enforceable copyright. And a copyright isn't much good if you can't bring suit to enforce it. A Poor Man's Copyright can be challenged by an attorney with a great deal of legal savvy.
More often than not, you need a formal registration with the U.S. Copyright Office.

Just remember, I am not an attorney and a search of the Internet will provide all the Pros and Cons of this ingenious tactic of protection.

A watermark may be a nice way to avoid problems but I believe it also may mar the workmanship. There are other Pros and Cons of the watermark which can be found on the Internet.

I have also enjoyed the plain point of view from the following book. It has gone on to several other editions which make for good reading none the less.

The book is:

The Copyright Zone: A Legal Guide For Photographers and Artists In The Digital Age
by Edward C. Greenberg (Author), Jack Reznicki (Author)

Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

I'm not worried as when an image gets posted in the net, there really is no control over them. Legal battles cost a lot unless you get to win against a big spender so not usually worth it unless you really hate the user.

nevertheless, it still felt painful and annoying when somebody used my photo as their Facebook background without informing me.
It felt weird but I also appreciated that someone like my photo that much. That is why i sign my photos with an email address. Because I'm willing to share my photos for personal use if politely requested and would only lift a finger if they try to earn by using it without my consent or proper share.

On the other side of the coin, my work sometimes require me to use the net as an image resource. That may entail using bits and pieces of someone else's photo as placeholder element to create a roughs, layout/proposals. If the design/layout gets approved, we would contact the owner and buy rights for commercial use. If right to use is not possible, then they become guides to get a similar image elsewhere or recreate the element on our own and proceed from there.

Below are 2 samples of a layout/proposal which are actually composites which use elements coming from different photos and drawing* (the wooden barrel & watch hand is just my own graphic/drawing).
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Bunko.T Loc: Western Australia.

In situations where ppl have asked me permission to use them, mostly in places I’ve been years ago, I guess historic pics, I gladly let them with a courtesy acknowledgement of whose pic it is/was.
I’m not looking to make money.

PhotoDerek Loc: County Durham, UK.

I have been photographing amateur mountain bikers (MTB) in a local forest especially last winter and spring 2021. I have been asked what are you doing with your pictures by bikers - 90% of the pictures are rubbish and deleted, the rest are presented in a camera club and just stored etc. People have asked me for copies and happily take an email and send them low resolution copies. All I have asked for is a comment with "Many thanks to my real name". Once they are on the net you have lost control of them so if posting then accept your loss. The reason I asked for my name to be published if anybody in the MTB community likes the pictures it may lead to requests to photograph MTB races, and gain access to restricted areas during races etc. I am thinking of joining the MTB forest community on Facebook and posting the exciting images - MTB cornering at 45 degrees and flying over jumps etc.

Brokenland

I can't say I worry about it, But I do not post clear originals or allow any images to be downloaded on hedgehog. There's always a chance (which has happen before with some of my crystal images) being stolen and used elsewhere. You take your chances. Only thing I can say, is if anyone wants to use my images best give credit where credit is due. otherwise keep the originals offline or they will get stolen.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I only post low quality images, I save the lowest value on Photoshop. I also have all of my images embedded with copyright information that cannot be removed.
If someone uses it, I can then take action because that image will always have the copyright information embedded on it. Most digital camera's manufactured today allow you to do this. You must, each year, change the dates on your copyright information to keep it up to date.
And no, like MAD Magazine, I do not worry.

ELNikkor

I have some marketable photos which I never put on the net for fear they will be stolen, regardless of the low res I know I can reduce them to. My wife (a business-woman) says, "Why shoot photos if you don't sell them?" So I reply, "Because I'm not a businessman, should I stop being an artist?" Though I do imagine trying to market the photos "some day", not sure where or how; (no "money pressure" to sell them...)

traderjohn Loc: New York City

traderjohn Loc: New York City

"Why shoot photos if you don't sell them"
That does not make any sense at all.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Worried? No. Concerned? Yes.

One of the member of this very site stole one of my photos and used a modified version of it in a composite. Had that person asked, I'd have probably given my consent. However, they didn't.

I regularly check my photos to see if any are being used past my intended purpose.
--Bob

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

The statement or not selling?


Which does not make sense, the statement or not selling?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The secret of getting ahead in photography is stealing someone else's image.

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Once you can show a great photo,
you're good!

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

I've had images "borrowed" without my consent, but I realize that piracy is inevitable when posting on the web.