NEXUS ISSUE 19 2014

nexus magazine
VIRAL PROBLEMS
Louise Vs The World Louise Hutt
Have you ever wondered where that meme image actually came from?
Who took it? Where it was uploaded first? Probably not. No one bats an eyelid
at images going viral. Considering you have a platform where everyone is
given the limitless means to copy and distribute works by the person who
uploaded it, it’s something which is both cool and scary.
However, as a photographer, it’s something which frustrates me to no end.
I’ve found images of mine on Facebook pages, Instagram accounts and blogs,
all without asking for permission or crediting me. Some of them even had the
wherewithal to post it with “Please don’t steal my work!” An email stating,
“Hi, did you know it’s illegal to repost my work without my permission? You
could also be liable for damages for doing so!” usually scares the shit out of
most people. It does make me look like a bit of a cunt but hey, some days
that’s just my job.
“Louise, BEING on social media means your images are going to be shared
around! You can’t stop that!” which is true. 100% correct. Nonetheless,
there’s a big difference between clicking share on a photo of mine from
“IF YOU LOVE AN IMAGE SO MUCH YOU
HAVE TO SHARE IT, SHOW SOME RESPECT
TO THE PERSON WHO MADE IT...”
Facebook (which provides everyone with a link back to my page) and saving
the image, cropping out the watermark and re-uploading. I have no problems
with people sharing my images (shit yeah, give me some free publicity) but
when they’re uncredited and without asking permission, that shows me
people don’t give two shits about respecting my work that they’re so happy
to claim as their own.
However, as someone who also very much loves the internet, I have also
done a lot of image sharing. As I’ve grown up though, I’ve realised that
becoming better-than-average at your craft takes time and energy, as well as
money. My blog might be equal parts my content and that from others, but
I’ve made sure that I’m reblogging posts from users who create the content
themselves or at the very least, credit the artists who did make it. I know that
crediting the artist doesn’t always mean that they will get any benefit from
their work being shared, but if I think about the amount of times I’ve clicked
on a link because I completely fell in love with someone’s work, it makes me
little less cynical.
If you love an image so much you have to share it, show some respect to
the person who made it by crediting those who did the hard work (note, right
clicking doesn’t count as hard work).
PHOTOGRAPH: LOUISE HUTT
34 nexusmag.co.nz