Maik723

Just shot a Birthday party and want to post photos on a site that would allow people to buy them. However, I know that anyone can view the image and down load via "save as" to their computer. Is there a way to restrict/prevent this from occurring and force poeple to purchase the photos?

Bamboo Loc: South Carolina

A big watermark should discourage that but another good point is, do those people want their photo on the internet.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

If you use Fine Art America they have some protections built in , and handle all the sales etc. otherwise just post small watermarked files of each photo so that printing is not practical. Bob.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Better sites prevent the high res version from being downloaded by displaying only a low-res proxy copy. Most photo sharing sites also have private galleries with passcode access, if you want to allow limited access to your photos.

You can use a site that allows you to sell prints through their fulfillment lab, as well as high resolution downloads. Payment is usually by credit card, PayPal, or perhaps bitcoin.

These days, most people want digital images to share, instead of prints. Choose a host site based upon its ability to host and SELL digital images as well as print and ship hard copy products. Yes, they will still get their cut of digital image sales... That's the fee for hosting your work.

Dannj

I'm assuming the buyers will be the party guests so another question comes to mind. Is it necessary to have permission from everyone in the photos in order for you to sell them? For that matter, how do you prevent anyone else from purchasing? Maybe it's a non-issue but....

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

once they have 'bought' those digital prints, what's to stop them from giving or dealing with others who may want the shots???

Maik723

Thank you. As usual, your reply is right on the mark. Thank you Sir.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

That, you cannot control. You can watermark files, and embed copyright information in the metadata. But criminals will be criminals... Honest folk will pay, and not share.

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

I used to do a web site and I had a Java Script that would not allow 'right click' functions.

SImple search brought this up

http://www.hypergurl.com/norightclick.html

Sarge69

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

There is no need for permission, and it is not necessary to restrict who can purchase an image.

A model release would be required (by the user, not the photographer) if an image is used to promote another product for sale. That is "commercial use".

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

If you have your images looking pretty good on the computer screen, then a simple screen grabber (even Print Screen) will snatch a copy of your images. A long time ago I made the decision to not worry about the thieves, who will take advantage of every opportunity to steal an image (and they would never consider paying for them anyway - so they are not customers), and concentrate on the honest people who will pay, and make the image look stunning on the computer. By putting a big obnoxious watermark or making a tiny low res copy, you are not showing your work in the best light, and this could impact your sales. Focus on your paying customers and dismiss those that are going to scam you - sorry, but unfortunately that's the way it is.

If you are putting the images on a private section of your website, passworded and secured from public view and search engines, then you have fulfilled your right to privacy. That nonsense about requiring a model release for commercial purposes does not apply. I am not going to go around to all 250 guests at a wedding to get their permission to post images on a private secured website - that's just plain silly. And it is probably unlikely that someone will be using your image for commercial purposes. And if it were to be the case, you, the photographer, would need to have a model release on file, which you would need to produce when the attorney files an intent to sue. Typically a company looking for an image will also secure permission, starting with asking the photographer for a model release, since it is unlikely that the company will have any way to identify the person in the image and be able to contact them to ask for a release. Most responsible companies will not use an image without all of the corresponding paperwork, including the release, on file, for all the images they use.

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

SmugMug hosts my images. The galleries can be available to view, but not right-click saves/downloads. There is a setting for that to prevent theft. The user can purchase whatever, but they can't just take the images without paying for them.

fotogk Loc: Tuftonboro, NH

check out pass and pixieset both all purchase on line and can prevent download from the average computer user. nothing can prevent a screen grab or taking a picture of the screen and I see plenty of that.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Not only can they use "Save as," they just just do a print screen, so nothing on the Web is safe. If you post little thumbnails, saving them won't do the people much good.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Right, especially because it's not commercial.