Posting art on Facebook

Hello to all.

I've been known to post a photo of my latest creations on my facebook page.... and I'm happy to say that I have made some long distance sales that way. However.... the drawback is that on two occasions people have taken one of my pieces and made it their profile picture - without my permission.

In both cases, I've quickly written to them and asked them to please change it - mentioning that I retain the rights to my work. So far, they have immediately changed the image and there has not been a problem. But - it makes me wonder how many times I haven't caught it.

This brings up the issue of the pros and cons of facebook.

Personally, I can't imagine using someone's original art as my profile picture without first asking permission - and then giving them credit. It always amazes me that people don't even think twice when they share art images.

Recently I went into my photos on facebook and deleted all the art I had posted. At least that may make it a little more difficult.

I'd be interested in hearing your stories in how you protect your work on facebook.

Kathy Rose

Hi Kathy, When did this happen? It used to be easier to take pictures from FB. These days they are harder to just copy and save. Actually I don't know how to do it, maybe some web wizard could but not me.

This is how I see it, If somebody is going to try to steal one of your images they will jut go to your website and do it or in a show somebody can distract you while the other one takes a picture of your art.

In my case FB has brought me so much business that I rather have my page and if somebody really wants to make money with your art then you have a case. But these days is really hard to control the internet.

Thanks to FB people sees me at least once a week or as soon as I post something. I can let them know when my shows are and they come to see me and I get so many custom jobs because every time I finish a piece and post it I get and old client here and there that want something similar, and the new clients remember you exist and recommend you to their other friends so in my case, I don't mind if they are going to post my pic in their profile pic. One time a client post one of my paintings that she bought from me on her profile pic and it worked on my favor because her best friend e mailed me and ordered one for her. So in my case, FB must have.

Replies

Patty Tiry June 16, 2011 at 8:43pm

I also struggle with this on FB. I no longer upload any images without putting my copyright watermark on the images.

I've noticed that is someone tags a name or themselves in an image, it puts this image in their Photo section. I don't quite like that. But FB, at least alerts you when and if someone does it.

I understand where your coming from.

Patty
- Carla Bank > Patty Tiry June 16, 2011 at 10:38pm
  
  Yes, It is frustrating. Patty, if you go to your privacy settings on FB you can control that people can't tag your images or can't post your images on their wall. Watermarks is a great idea. I'm going to try that. If you have your business page and you see competition or somebody you don't like join your page you can delete them and also you have a choice that they can never re join your page again. At least they're getting better with that. So time consuming to be tracing who is getting their hands on your work right?
Carla Bank June 16, 2011 at 5:27pm

Yes, hard to control, you are not being controlling, it is your work but these days it is so hard, and if you put tags on those images through your site they will even show up on google when somebody is looking for something that has your description or tag. If it really bothers you maybe write to FB and let them know, they will contact the person, but probably that person already changed his/her pic, usually everybody on FB changes profile pic way too often so it is hard to keep track. Maybe that person just liked your image and has no interest in doing anything commercial, but you never know.
Kathy Rose June 16, 2011 at 5:21pm

Hi Larry,

No, I have not added a copyright. It's probably time for me to start thinking about all of this - although once something is posted on FB, and is made public, I think there is very little control we have.

Kathy
Kathy Rose June 16, 2011 at 5:05pm

Carla,

I had this happen just two days ago. I had posted a few new pieces a few weeks ago, and then just got a message in facebook saying that someone had changed their profile picture to my piece. I guess they had used the image I had posted on my wall.

Honestly, I don't think the person using my creation was trying to steal it - I've got to admit, that it really irked me though. I would have liked to have been asked permission. I'm wrestling with this.... and maybe being too controlling.

Probably I should just lighten up about it. FB has given me good exposure.

Kathy
- Larry Berman > Kathy Rose June 16, 2011 at 5:15pm
  
  Do you add a copyright to images posted to the web? Would it help for Facebook?
  
  Larry Berman
  http://BermanGraphics.com
  412-401-8100
Carla Bank June 16, 2011 at 4:35pm

Hi Kathy, When did this happen? It used to be easier to take pictures from FB. These days they are harder to just copy and save. Actually I don't know how to do it, maybe some web wizard could but not me.

This is how I see it, If somebody is going to try to steal one of your images they will jut go to your website and do it or in a show somebody can distract you while the other one takes a picture of your art.

In my case FB has brought me so much business that I rather have my page and if somebody really wants to make money with your art then you have a case. But these days is really hard to control the internet.

Thanks to FB people sees me at least once a week or as soon as I post something. I can let them know when my shows are and they come to see me and I get so many custom jobs because every time I finish a piece and post it I get and old client here and there that want something similar, and the new clients remember you exist and recommend you to their other friends so in my case, I don't mind if they are going to post my pic in their profile pic. One time a client post one of my paintings that she bought from me on her profile pic and it worked on my favor because her best friend e mailed me and ordered one for her. So in my case, FB must have.

This reply was deleted.