Tim Abbott

Wood panelling - my most viewed photo!

Texture - wood panelling, originally uploaded by timabbott.

It is, to me, one of life's little mysteries that this is my most viewed photo by far on Flickr. About 2500 views. By comparison, the next highest picture has about 700.

I know that compared to some giants of the Flickrverse 2500 views is peanuts. But for a picture of a wood panelled wall?

It was taken as part of a vague theme to record a wide range of textures that might be of use as backgrounds. The CC licensing is an acknowledgement that this picture might be of some use to others and it really doesn't harm me to let them download it. Which must surely account for the number of views. I mean, you wouldn't click on this image just to take a closer look would you? Not unless you're a student of 21st Century wood panelling. So I'm guessing there are people out there who have this bit of interior wall for their computer desktop, Powerpoint / Keynote slide background or perhaps something else.

I just never imagined it would be so popular.

Body Image - 1

By now you've probably seen this image and the story behind it circulating on the web.

It is, allegedly, a Ralph Lauren ad featuring a ridiculously photoshopped model, Fillippa Hamilton. (Here she is on the Ralph Lauren web site looking relatively normal) As the image started circulating Lauren started issuing DMCA takedown notices to offenders (will they be calling here I wonder?)

Boing Boing has a full rundown of events.

Going after companies who posted the image inevitably invokes the Streisand Effect whereby an attempt to censor stimulates the multiplication of the information across the internet. Lauren subsequently admitted that they were indeed responsible for the "poor imaging and retouching" and that they have "addressed the problem".

There are a whole lot of unanswered questions, like, Who did the original artwork? and, Who signed off this image for publication? Surely no fashion house with the resources of RL would allow an image like this out by mistake. And no one seems to have been able to come up with the original ad in print or on the web. All of which makes me wonder what's really going on...


UPDATE, 15 Oct
Well, it seems the original of this ad was a display poster for a Japanese department store. But no matter, Fillippa Hamilton has now been sacked by Ralph Lauren "as a result of her inability to meet the obligations under her contract with us" which apparently means she was too fat. Hamilton is a UK size 8. More details from The Times

Photography is not a crime

Photography is not a crime

is a new campaign from the British Journal of Photography  in response to some overzealous policing that leads to things like this  and this.

Google Street View snappers snapped on Street View

Some bold and fast acting photographic types have been sacrificing themselves before the all pervading Google Street View camera cars and have thereby achieved Street View immortality.

The Register has all the details.

Street View snappers of the nation, we salute you.

Flickr, photos, giving or selling?

Jonny Baker asks, do you give away or sell your flickr photos when asked? and cites a very helpful post about the issue by Thomas Hawk before writing about the Flickr/Getty tie up which I mentioned here in July.

I left a comment, but would like to repeat it here. If you want to join the conversation it would be worth checking Jonny's blog for the latest comments.

I've given permission for some of my photos to be used by others and wouldn't mind selling images to people who should be paying. However, I have some big concerns over the Getty / Flickr development.

I think the main one is that the aims of Flickr (basically creating a community of people who love photography and want to share it with others) seem to be completely at odds with the aims of Getty (to become the dominant leader in stock imagery). Flickr's own terms and conditions state that use should be non-commercial:
"Don’t use Flickr for commercial purposes. Flickr is for personal use only. If we find you selling products, services, or yourself through your photostream, we will terminate your account."

Flickr have allowed one company exclusive access to Flickr photographers on a commercial basis, which feels to me like an attempt to dominate a market. Of course, this is now a done deal between Flickr and Getty, but my suspicion is that Getty will be the clear winner. I'm sure that many photographers will gladly sign over commercial rights to their photos and, of course, it's very flattering to be invited to contribute to what is the acknowledged front runner in stock photography, but there are others operating in this field with different and often better terms.

When this was announced back in July I found this from the Photoshelter blog. Photoshelter is an alternative stock licensing company, so they obviously have an interest, but their article provides an alternative view from the other side of the Getty/Flickr tie-up.

Perhaps if Getty ask about any of my photos I'll take that as an endorsement and then offer them to a company I feel more comfortable with!

TBTM 20080804 *

Beach house, originally uploaded by timabbott.

With respect to Rev Sam!

* The Beach This Morning, 4th August 2008.

Getty Images and Flickr

If you're interested in the new partnership between Getty Images and Flickr announced a week ago you may want to exercise some caution if Getty asks you to license a photo to them.
Part of the small print in their press release says:

Getty Images will be the exclusive commercial rights manager of the photos selected to become part of the collection.

More info from Photoshelter, a global stock photography community and marketplace for photographers  offering rights-managed and royalty-free licensing.

Photography in public - your rights

Taking photographs in public can sometimes attract the unwarranted attention of the Police, Special Constables, security guards, PCSOs or even people in yellow vests.

This article takes a look at what might be a bit of a current trend to sometimes treat photographers as suspects. There are some helpful links to sites that set out the legal position regarding photography in public places.

In response to reports of overzealous demands by police for photographers to delete images or hand over memory cards, the Nottinghamshire Police guidelines state:
Police officers do not have the authority to prevent a person taking a photograph or to confiscate cameras or film, and such conduct could result in criminal, civil or diciplinary action.

There's an excellent 'print your own' guide to UK photographers rights here.

Arthur Blessitt in Colchester

    Arthur Blessitt in Colchester, originally uploaded by timabbott.

               

Since 1969 Arthur Blessitt has carried a 12' cross into every nation on earth. As you can imagine, he's got some remarkable stories to tell.

He was in Colchester over the weekend courtesy of Kingsland Church and spoke at the Charter Hall twice on Sunday. An amazing man, bold for Christ and gentle with people. Stories that speak of the activity of God more than the achievements of the man. He's not showing any signs of slowing down!

More on Arthur here

More photos on Flickr

Fairtrade fashion show

    Fairtrade fashion show, originally uploaded by timabbott.

             

  On Saturday I was at the 2nd annual Colchester Fair Trade Fashion Show. Among the many models were the members of Collective who absolutely loved showing off the wedding dresses - no surprise there!

Wedding dresses by Izzi Izaiah

More photos on Flickr