Sharing photos online seems like a minefield!

I'm still fairly new at this, but have started to build up a portfolio I would like to share with friends, family and potential clients.

I keep hearing about image ownership concerns with sites like facebook and now instagram, and I'm struggling to understand how to limit the risk of my images being used elsewhere.

At some point I will get around to creating my own website/blog, but was planning on using my personal network to start building a portfolio for this, which requires me to use facebook or at least link from it.

Guess i was after some advice on a less risky image hosting option that integrates easily with facebook?

Easiest thing is put your name in a watermark right on top of the images your afraid of going stray.

Tumblr, yeh, nobody steals photos on Tumbler...
But seriously, if you are concerned with someone easily copying your work, don't put them online.

If you're concerned about them being stolen or used without your permission, it's best to not post them online. I wouldn't post anything to Facebook that I wasn't ok with someone else copying and using because it's almost guaranteed to happen at some point.

I seem to recall Facebook having a similar statement in their "terms of use" but don't recall the specifics. I think the Instagram statement gets a little more specific than the Facebook one, but I believe the overall "idea" was there with FB.

I may be wrong, my age does tend to erode some memories, so if someone knows the details on this you might chime in!

Thanks for the advice, I know social network sites aren't the best medium for this, but without the time at present to create and administrate a website, guess I have little choice but to watermark and cross my fingers!
Haven't heard of tumbler, but I'll take a look.

I'll share only low rez, water marked images here on POTN and FB. Often "B" samples, not sharing my BEST work. You can still share your work without giving away your gems.

^ Yes, OP.. make sure to only upload 72 dpi versions, keeping them from printing them.

1Tanker wrote in post #15422813
^ Yes, OP.. make sure to only upload 72 dpi versions, keeping them from printing them.

That makes no difference for images posted online, a 800x500 pixel image doesn't change just because you put a different number in the resolution field.

To prove the point, the first image below has 72 imbedded in the resolution whilst the image below that has 300 entered. Both measure 750x500 pixels and both would render the same quality of print if printed at the same size.

If you have a professional/commercia​l/personal need to be "protective" about your photos, then yeah, it's a combination of a "sturdy" watermark, an image that has a low enough resolution in pixels (not ppi) to ensure a bad quality print any larger than, say, a 4x6, and then, if you want further protection, registering your images for "official" copywrite protection. But, in this age of the Internet/InterWebs, people will download and use your images in various ways, mostly just for personal pleasure. You can use a "Host" such as Flickr, that disables the ability to right-click and Save the pic, but then people can do a screen shot to "capture" it. Still, low quality for printing, but if you can't live with that then don't "share" except with password-protected galleries so that only a select few can get access.

DazUK wrote in post #15422765
Haven't heard of tumbler, but I'll take a look.

I was kidding about Tumblr. It is a multi level theft site where you have no control whatsoever over who "shares" your photos.

tonylong wrote in post #15425039
.... if you want further protection, registering your images for "official" copywrite protection.

The OP is in the UK. There is no official copyright registration in the UK as there is in the USA.

DazUK wrote in post #15421516
I keep hearing about image ownership concerns with sites like facebook and now instagram, and I'm struggling to understand how to limit the risk of my images being used elsewhere.

There are no image ownership issues with Facebook, Instagram etc - just people who don't understand legal agreements and misinterpret them. Facebook etc don't own your images and can't (legally) sell them to anyone else. The executives of these companies have confirmed as much at various times.

The real problem with posting images online is that people will steal them. In some cases it will be individuals and in other cases it may be companies. You can't really stop this so you need to understand what actions you can take when it happens. Will post more on this later.

Sorarse wrote in post #15422890
That makes no difference for images posted online, a 800x500 pixel image doesn't change just because you put a different number in the resolution field.

To prove the point, the first image below has 72 imbedded in the resolution whilst the image below that has 300 entered. Both measure 750x500 pixels and both would render the same quality of print if printed at the same size.

Ok, so if i post a 1024x683 picture on Flickr (2 copies)..one at 72dpi and one at 300dpi, they'll both print to the same largest size?

1Tanker wrote in post #15425682
Ok, so if i post a 1024x683 picture on Flickr (2 copies)..one at 72dpi and one at 300dpi, they'll both print to the same largest size?

When printing you have different choices. You can specify a certain size in inches/cms, and the printer driver will "size" the image to print at that size, no matter the ppi/dpi "tag".

Or, you can tell the printer to print at the "actual size", in which it will take the image pixel dimensions and divide them by the ppi/dpi tag.

Most folks specify a print size in dimensions, such as a 4x6 or 8x10. In that case the ppi "tag" means nothing, although some print outfits complain because it doesn't match their "standard".

Of course, if you follow the advice to resize to a Web display size in pixels, such as 900x600 pixels, and then set the ppi tag to, say, 72 ppi, it will all display the same. But be aware that the "72 dpi" value is an old standard based on old display resolutions. Modern monitors display at closer to 100 ppi. This can throw you off if you are trying to "design" an image for display.

Thanks Tony!