Photo capsules

1. 88

   Faith Reaperposted 10 years ago

   
   In a recent HubPages weekly email, it was discussing the fact that many use photos and do not provide a source.  I was thinking that this may easily be addressed by HP by requiring a source in the source field inside the photo capsule, whether it is "self" or the Freedigitalphotos, wikimedia commons or whatever.  If the source is required to even post a photo or image, then that would solve the issue of at least the source being known.  Just a thought.  Is that something that would be too hard to implement for HP?

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   1. 95

      Phyllis Doyleposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with you, Faith. If the source field was required rather than optional, it would prevent use of any unauthorized images. I am thinking of getting a good camera or making my own drawings, since it seems more and more difficult to find images that are free to use.

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      1. 88

         Faith Reaperposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Yes, Phyllis, I was just thinking the same thing about drawings. I have just been using my cell phone for pictures as I always have it with me. One can find good photos on wikimedia commons but sometimes there are none to fit with ones topic. There are some good choices on freedigitalphotos too. I do think that if that field is required to be filled out before one can upload a photo or image then maybe it willl cut down on those who just pop in images that may not be legal.

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            Phyllis Doyleposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            I am glad you brought this subject up, Faith. I was thinking about starting a forum on it because of all the issues with images. Time to get out my art pencils and drawing tablet. 

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            1. 88

               Faith Reaperposted 10 years agoin reply to this

               Yes, me too, Phyllis.  I would love to see your art.

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   2. 71

      The Frog Princeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Photos on public domain many times have no source, hence "public domain."  There's one flaw in your argument to think about.  I use graphics a lot that are secured from public domain.  Some of the whining is being done because some cry babies here don't like the content.  That's too bad and so sad.  Their choice is not to use their mouse to go there. 
      
      The Frog Prince

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      1. 88

         Faith Reaperposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Hi Frog, Yes, and that is all we have to put in the source then is PD or Public Domain.

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         1. 71

            The Frog Princeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            That is an unnecessary step.  Much ado about nothing in my opinion.  A picture is a picture and is used to speak a thousand words.  If that is all anyone has to complain about the world is good!

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         2. 38

            Writer Foxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            HubPages does not require an attribution for a public domain image and the staff has stated that many times on the Forum.  Here is one post from Paul Deeds:
            http://hubpages.com/forum/topic/118043#post2490307
            
            Maybe it is required for the apprentice program or HOTD, but it is not required on HubPages.  Not only that, but your audience will consider it amateur to put 'public domain' as a photo source and search engines won't understand either, unless your Hub has something to do with public domain.

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            1. 88

               Faith Reaperposted 10 years agoin reply to this

               Thanks Writer Fox, yes, that is true and all we have to put is Public Domain.  I have seen a lot of images and photos that have been released to Public Domain, but some still say as long as properly attributed, so that would be the only time one would need to worry about the attribution for sure.

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                  Writer Foxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  You shouldn't list a source at all for a public domain photo.  Putting "Public Domain" in the source box is confusing for search engines and visitors to your Hubs.

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                     Faith Reaperposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                     Oh really? Hmm

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                     jansharesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                     ey-yi-yi.

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                        Faith Reaperposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                        LOL

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                     2. 88

                        Faith Reaperposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                        Jan, I see you use public domain a lot and properly attribute which is the way to go as one sure would not want HP to take off points from one's score for not doing so!

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                        1. 38

                           Writer Foxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                           Photo attribution is not part of the QAP score.

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2. 38

   Writer Foxposted 10 years ago

   Having a 'source' box as used on HubPages is not the standard protocol Internet publishers follow and it is not what users are used to seeing online. In fact, it's distracting for the user experience unless there is something profound to say about the source of a photo (like 'this was shot by an undercover policeman').
   
   Many Hubbers make the mistake of duplicating the same source text hundreds of times across their Hubs (like 'this photo was taken by John Doe and is his personal photo and blah, blah, blah).
   
   It's bad enough that the caption has to double as the Alt text (a horrible situation), but we certainly don't need to require everyone to spam their Hubs by filling out that source box for every photo.
   
   I have many photo collection Hubs with up to 200 photos and I have no intention of revealing my sources, let alone with followed links irrelevant to my content.
   
   If you have to credit a photo source, use a text capsule and NoFollow the link.

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   1. 91

      Suzanne Dayposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      +1, also I believe it is hideously distracting for the reader. Why not make source credits for photos a <h6> or something really out of the way in a lighter grey that could be nofollow and clicked on if needed? I find the current ones really look horrible on the hubs and detract from the user experience as it looks like I am showing off my own name 1000 times.

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         Writer Foxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Using an H tag (Heading Tag) would put more emphasis on the irrelevant text, not less! I don't think that's really what you want to do.

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            Suzanne Dayposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Oh what I meant was just to make the font size much smaller and hide it a bit.

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               Writer Foxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

               Or, just don't use it at all!

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      2. 88

         Faith Reaperposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Hi Suzanne, yes, the font size could be smaller and less distracting for sure.

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   2. 88

      Faith Reaperposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Writer Fox, That is what I am saying that HP is saying that hubbers are just posting an image or photo without indicating the source in the photo capsule.  There is already a place to indicate the source, they just do not do it. If it is there own photo, all one has to put is "Self" and if the photo or image is from Wikimedia commons, which is legal, one needs to make sure to give it proper attribution, i.e., CC-BY-SA.2.0, etc.   One can be sued by the owner of the photo or image if not properly attributed and there is already a place to do that.  If it is required, HP could make that little space a required field before an image can be uploaded.  Here in a forum, I have uploaded my own photo, and just as is on questions when uploading a photo or image, there is not source field as there is in a hub.

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      1. 60

         Sparkleaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Hi Faith this is an excellent topic.  Since I am NOT high tech, and I am still experimenting on how to post photos on HP, I have cautiously just used my own photos so as not to get myself in trouble.    By the way i love your background on your main page, you are so awesome and gifted with phenomenal creations....as well as with your hubs.  blessings, Sparklea
         ps; i have a doctor appointment, will return to answer your emails. 

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         1. 88

            Faith Reaperposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Hi Dear Sparklea, yes, using one's own photos is the way to go for sure!!!  All one has to do is put "Self" in the source field.  Then no one can say one word about your photos.  Oh, as far as backgrounds, there are tons of free backgrounds to download online too!  You are so kind dear friend and an amazing writer no doubt one bit!  I hope and pray all goes well at the doctor appointment.  Blessings, Faith Reaper

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      2. 38

         Writer Foxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Not all photos require attribution to be used.  If your photo source requires attribution or a link, then you have to give them that or don't use that photo.

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         1. 88

            Faith Reaperposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Correct, Writer Fox, if there is no requirement for attribution, then it is not needed, but the source still needs to be used in the required field.  So many photographers have their photos stolen, as we do our hubs at times, and I am sure they would appreciate the attribution and source pointing readers back to them.  If one really wants to use another one's photos, one can just contact that person and if okay, all one has to do is put "Used with permission" in the source field in the photo capsule and site the website, then you are good to go without any legal ramifications with which to be concerned.

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      The Frog Princeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Your operative words were "internet protocol."  The Hub needs to pay closer attention to that as I have pointed out to them more than a few times.

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         Faith Reaperposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Yes, indeed, dear Frog!

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3. 72

   kidscraftsposted 10 years ago

   This could be a solution.  Usually, when I post my own pictures (most of the time), I don't write the source but when I use other pictures, I always write the source and I make sure I have the right to use them.  It's so important to acknowledge the work of others.
   Have a fantastic weekend, Faith :-)

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   1. 88

      Faith Reaperposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Joelle (kidscrafts), Oh, yes, using your own photos is best always, and when you do so, just put "Self" or "Personal" and that will get it done.  You are wise, as it is so important to legally use the work of others.  Have a great weekend dear one, Faith Reaper : )

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4. 94

   jansharesposted 10 years ago

   Yes, Faith, thought I was doing it right, made all sorts of changes after the other forum confusion about attribution. Now, based on what Writer Fox shares, I'm SMH. I will leave it alone for now. Gotta go, have a good day.

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   1. 88

      Faith Reaperposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, I would leave it and I do the same as you do. Have a good day!

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      1. 60

         The Examiner-1posted 10 years agoin reply to this

         That is one reason why I use Wikimedia Commons 99% - all of the info is right there. What about if the source box said something such as, "highly recommended, though optional".

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            Faith Reaperposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Yes, all the info is right there...so easy! That is a good suggestion. Thanks, The Examiner ...all the info is there too on free digital photos.

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5. 0

   Gypsy Rose Leeposted 10 years ago

   Once HubPages changed the way we post pictures I discovered that a lot of pictures I took from the web just didn't match the standards. I was always getting notices like pixelated and things like that. So now I basically use my own images but not always can I get them to match what I write about. The source idea is good if only there was a way we could resize the pics as well.

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   1. 88

      Faith Reaperposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, I love your great personal photos. The free digital photos site which I have recently started using is easy and has tons of photos with the source right there as does wikimedia commons. Our own photos are best and then all one has to put in the source is "self".

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