So lets have some real talk today. I am an artist, I don’t like people using my work without permission or taking credit for my work, but I appreciate other artist coming in and offering to share my work on their platforms to raise larger awareness at the same time.
I even occasionally on older images place them on Pexels.com which is a pubic domain site where bloggers, artist, whoever can download and manipulate the images to their hearts content. Rarely do I ever see what those who download my images do with them. And that’s cool because they aren't usually my best works, they aren’t something I can make capitol on and I am not attached.
But Monday February 15th a Canadian photo editor (maybe photographer— I have no knowledge of shooting skills merely editing.) Sought me out on facebook to show me the manipulation they did with a photo I uploaded to Pexels.
My original Image.
I enjoyed the manipulation work they did with the image. I found it quite humorous and being that I have a decent size platform between my social media channels I asked if I could share it on my page with credit and links to their work as well.
My exact message to this person.
I offered the option of links because again this is a stranger I do not know their level of business, whether he had a website or any other social channels. I felt I was clear in he would be getting credit and my followers would be able to go right to his work.
Guys…. I know social media can sound harsh but I legit feel I must of offended him.
His reply.
He shut my offer down and was like I. GAVE. YOU. HORSE. CREDIT.
I never once asked for credit. I uploaded that image to Pexels knowing getting credit to my work would be nearly non-existent. And that was fine. I legit thought what he made was cool and wanted to promote his work to lift up another artist who told me prior to my asking to do so he doesn’t get very many views.
His message about not getting many views
I was wrong, apparently, offering to share anothers work with credit and corresponding links isn’t the right way to go. But my viewership is reaching nearly 60k people every day and it’s growing by leaps and bounds so do I feel he missed an opportunity? Yes.
Will I show his work? No. I respect his decision.
That said if you would like to download the image of my sister on a horse and make hilarious, fun, and cool edits to share with me the link is provided below. Feel free to drop some comments on whether you think he made the right choice or with your edits to the same photo.
Also feel free to follow me on social media!