Church Photo's

[BioSpark]

Before I start this post, let me say that I've thought this over a lot. I know it may seem ill centered but I want your thoughts on it.

I started to take photos for a church where I lived about six months ago. They were having a photo contest, and I entered in around 10-15 photos. They selected mine and have displayed them on the website for the last six-seven months.

Now, I didn't expect payment for them, as it was a donation to the church, however, I have asked for credit on the pictures that they use. I've emailed them, and have received no response from anyone.

What would you do in this situation? They've used every single one of my photos for the last six months, and have never established credit to me. I'm not sure what to do, as I feel asking them to take them down is wrong of me, as they were donated, but I had asked for credit. I believe church is a business, a business of god. I'm not saying my photos help create "offerings" but I do believe its good advertisement for them and gets them new believers. New believers of course, bring new offerings. New offerings help pay for their checks etc.

[EmmaRose]

I think their contest will state that they can use the images however they please if you enter. Not much you can do but pray they'll meet your demands (pun intended).

[BioSpark]

There were no conditions/statements. It was a email newsletter with a little blurp that said "Calling all photographers, we need your pictures. Email name@name.com with your pictures, the best will be used on the site".

[dovaka]

in the future be sure to watermark everything you do then it doesnt matter if they give you credit or not

[BioSpark]

Very true. Im still working on my watermarking techniques. I never know where to put it. In the corner, in the middle bottom, hah. If anyone has any ideas, or techniques let me know.

[Chris]

This could sort of apply (and I'm not saying you are a hypocrite):

"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

[dovaka]

Very true. Im still working on my watermarking techniques. I never know where to put it. In the corner, in the middle bottom, hah. If anyone has any ideas, or techniques let me know.

there really is no one place to put it the best thing is to make a few different ones that work for different situations make them into a photoshop brush so you can easily adjust the size and stamp them one at a time

[BioSpark]

This could sort of apply (and I'm not saying you are a hypocrite):

"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

Point taken. :) Thank you. I needed to read that.

[wyofizz]

Good reminder for all of us Chris:)

[tfizzle]

as someone who works in a church (I'm actually a Pastor though I have contention with "titles") and a photographer I would be upset if I was told I would get credit and it never got off of there.

I'd also be upset that a church not respond to emails.

It's not so much that you do it for a "donation" but they said they'd give credit. If you there was no stipulation for credit before you submitted them then you shouldn't expect them.

I'd say I'd be more upset about a non-replied email rather than getting recognition that doesn't seem promised from the get-go.

Hope they respond to you.

[ferretkingdom]

....If you there was no stipulation for credit before you submitted them then you shouldn't expect them.

I'd say I'd be more upset about a non-replied email rather than getting recognition that doesn't seem promised from the get-go....

To the contrary, I do not work in a church in any way, shape or form.

I think everyone should be entitled to have credit given to them for a picture they took, quote they made, article they wrote, etc. If it is your work, you should get credit.

If it was not stated that the pictures would be used however they so desired, without any credit needing to be given, then IMO they should credit you. Any photograph is supposed to be the copyright of the person who took it.

If it bothers you and they aren't responding to emails, then either call them, visit the church, or contact the webmaster if there is a link anywhere on the website to one. Church or not, the photos are your copyright, and it sounds like you did not sign anything releasing it.

I too am just getting started on watermarking. Also don't know what to put it! Ugh! If i put it in the middle, of course no one can not give me credit, but also can't see the picture well. If i put it in the corner, can't someone just crop it out if they really want my picture and it wouldn't remove too much of the photo? Sigh

[ironchef31]

I think you are trying to close the barn door after the horse is out. If you feel this is a mistake, than learn from it and move on.

This may not relate to your situation but this is my view:
I've taken thousands of photos of my church over the pass few years. I do this because I am an active member and I want to document the people of this church. They are my friends and my kids friends. A couple of months ago a dear friend from this church passed away and the family did not have a suitable photo for the memorial service. I had a few good photos that they ended up using. They were very grateful. I don't feel that I needed recognition for the photos because it's family. There will come a day when I will need the charity of others. Besides, I've volunteered so much time taking photos, I'm now assumed to be the official photographer. This has also lead to a few portrait sessions of a few families.

Sorry for the long read but just keep this in mind.
A good name is better than great riches.

[ssim]

If you feel this is a mistake, than learn from it and move on.


This is probably the best advice in this thread. Life gives us many lessons, hopefully we learn from them.

If it bothers you that much to not have credit on the photo have them take them down. It is really simple choice when you break it down, imo. You can't let things like this eat at you for a long time, at least I can't.

Watermarking is a good thing in lieu of actually having credit though many contests will not accept watermarked images. There is plenty of resource information posted here and elsewhere on the net about watermarking. If this sort of thing is a big issue for you I would move that up your priority list.

[dmccarty]

I understand your concern over the credit.

But most people are not familiar with copyright and are not going to know they should have given you the credit for the photos. They just don't know better.

One would expect a reply by the email but are the people running the websites full time or part time. Have they had time to respond to the email? If so my approach would be to the church leadership and explain to them that it would be proper to give credit to the photos that are being used.

:lol: I assume the photos are being used for some sort of editorial use documenting church activities and NOT advertising the church. Seems like even a church would need a release from the people in the photos if they are "advertising." :D

I just took a bunch of photos of a play put on by my kids class. I posted the photos on a private area on Picasa for parents with a GMAIL account as well as on my Photo Reflect account that required password access to the photos of non GMAIL users. The people who could access Picasa could copy the photos easily. The Photo Reflect site makes this hard to do but not impossible.

I don't care what the parents do with the photos. They were grateful to be able to see them. Especially the parents who could not make it to a play in the middle of the day. If they take the photos and print them great. It is a gift. Frankly to explain to the parents the ins and outs of photo copyright law would make me look like nut. :D

Later,
Dan