Dinorigami

On photo crediting

I take pictures all the time because the pictures serve as my memory of things that I’ve seen or experienced.  Usually, I can look back at the pictures and go, “Oh yeah! I forgot that happened!”  

But of course, my memories can also involve other people.  I take pictures of others during events while I am the observer.  I realize that others may also want the photos, so I try to post them on Facebook for those people or somehow make it available.  

What happens when those people take my pictures and post them as their own?  Is it right for them because the pictures are of themselves?  I sometimes get offended when people don’t give me credit, even for candid pictures.  It feels like they’re not acknowledging that I was there apart of the event even if I was the one behind the camera on the side.  When their friends see the picture, I won’t be remembered since my name or face is nowhere connected to that picture.  But then, I feel like I’m being self-centered or almost selfish if I ask them to credit a picture that I took of them.  

Also, what happens when I take a picture on another person’s camera?  Or when I ask someone else to take a picture of me on my own camera?  Is it necessary or purely courtesy for me to credit the picture-taker?

These are some of the things that bother me about picture crediting.  Things also seem to bother me more when it’s at night and I see it happen.  Am I wrong to think this way, or should I expect it as soon as I post my pictures online?

(Source: dinorigami)