Brian Yarvin

John, exactly what I thought. Thinking as a photographer instead of a lawyer, I'd say that the Bild logo is part of the reason the photo is marketable - that's their trademark. At some point, for the case to be actionable, it will have to be explained in terms we photographers can understand. In theory at least, we should all know the difference between trademarks and copyrights. Right?

Quick question - could this be a trademark issue rather than one of copyright? Might this be Bild protecting their mark?

Andy, there's a perspective issue here; a back and forth about a single image is never worth it, but a back and forth that improves the quality of your future submissions always is.

Andy, occasional rejections should never be stumbling blocks, but shouldn't be ignored either. Each mistake we make is a chance to learn something. We can all do better.

Jeff, I don't think you've scratched the surface. Ian could sell text/photo packages, create souvenir books, learn video, and make a special effort to improve his technique so he could produce marketable images in subject categories he's never shot before. And Ian, while many industries rely on professional photography as the core of their marketing efforts - the images they need don't have to be sourced from stock agencies. Find out where they're getting their images from and put yourself out there.

Hong, when it comes to modern cameras, processing is all. Shoot raw, use low ISO's, don't oversaturate, and use good processing software. As for your Skydio, have it shoot raw and treat the files as if they were shot for your life's retrospective.

I don't really dislike Windows and Mac OS, it's just that they aren't worth what's they're asking. Linux asks a bit more in terms of the skills you need to learn, but in exchange, you get software that doesn't ask you too many personal questions and gives you the chance to have the discussions you really need. Windows and Linux are moving in two different directions; Windows is becoming more intrusive and Linux is becoming more expert. I would much rather have my hardware refreshes because the equipment becomes better, not because some software company is demanding more from me for the very same functionality. And no, my choices have little to do with my computer hardware either. Camera gear makes more of a difference. I won't be able to use Capture1 without a subscription if I upgrade to mirrorless - that's a hardware change that might become necessary if clients demand file quality my older camera bodies can't deliver. I'll do whatever I have to for as long as I can. And as of now, that means the slow transition to open source.

I'm a tiny bit farther away from the bridge, but only a few minutes from New Holland - a major exporter of farm equipment. The closure of the port will create big problems for them. Baltimore can't get a break.

John, there's more to it than that. I'm just not as happy with commercial software as I am with open source. It just doesn't deliver in the same way.

John, I'm only one step away from being fully open source. There's no way I'm going to spring for anything in the Windows ecosystem at this moment. Every time I boot up my computer, I can hear my motherboard crying "why do you keep doing this to me?"

I'm watching the subscription thing very carefully! At the moment all that keeps me in Windows is my legacy copy of Capture1. When its no longer useable - probably because of equipment upgrades - I'll go Linux. In any case, I'll withdraw my endorsement of Photo Mechanic (and Capture1) because of this subscription business. My monthly bills are enough as it is.

Photo Mechanic and Breeze Browser both do this (and far more). What I don't know is if there's an open source equivalent.

No need to. They don't use images from stock. My stock is limited to outtakes from projects at Alamy and one other agency that also starts with A. I've long given up on selling single images directly to clients. It's not just the low prices, but I find that I'm selling my own talent short. My story; writing, photography and whatever else goes with it, is as good as the competition and I'm proud of it. Putting it all out there isn't boasting, it's confident. I only wish I knew this twenty years earlier.

This is a separate topic but one that is really important. Things are tightening up out there! Publishers I work with (or am trying to work with) are expecting much more in the way of image quality - passing Alamy QC is no longer an indicator of my ability as a commercial photographer. Let's thank Erin (and the others who've posted similar messages) for reminding us that as professional photographers, we always have be one step ahead.

Erin, I don't think you need any of that. It's more about the settings you're choosing. At some point, you'll need to calibrate your monitor, but this is more about the mistakes you're making when you shoot. The only thing you need to buy is a modern prime lens. Otherwise, try less underexposure, Adobe1998 instead of sRGB, wider f/stops and faster shutter speeds. They should all work together to give you a vast boost in file quality. And then, after you nail those things, try a tripod and monitor calibration - with that, you'll be a master.