To Flickr or not to Flickr....

[Eyad]

Hi All,

I've been hesitant of starting my own flickr page for one reason... Security!

Now I'm not an expert there but what I know is that anyone can go to your photo and download it... and the next thing you know is that your work is been distributed for free!

I might be exaggerating but I want to know from the people who use Flickr, is this concern a valid one? How did you overcome such issue? Or you just post the least important photos there?

Thanks.

[Jim Poor]

It's an issue anywhere you post a photo on the web, not just Flickr.

I have an account, but hardly ever use it. In fact, I'm not sure I could remember my password if I tried right now.

Originally Posted by Eyad

Hi All,

I've been hesitant of starting my own flickr page for one reason... Security!

Now I'm not an expert there but what I know is that anyone can go to your photo and download it... and the next thing you know is that your work is been distributed for free!

I might be exaggerating but I want to know from the people who use Flickr, is this concern a valid one? How did you overcome such issue? Or you just post the least important photos there?

Thanks.

[SuperDan]

Originally Posted by Eyad

Hi All,

I've been hesitant of starting my own flickr page for one reason... Security!

Now I'm not an expert there but what I know is that anyone can go to your photo and download it... and the next thing you know is that your work is been distributed for free!

I might be exaggerating but I want to know from the people who use Flickr, is this concern a valid one? How did you overcome such issue? Or you just post the least important photos there?

Thanks.

security is the issue anywhere you put a photo... heck, maybe even on your own harddrive.. as there are programs to get into others computers... so think of that, but..
i do use flickr... i even pay for the pro level
its not to be used as a dumping ground, but, i have definately learned to watermark my images...
and in regards to anyone just downloading.. no, you set that.

[jwlavo]

I have the same feeling about flickr.. There is no security set up for photos on that site. I have been posting most of my photos on Art Gallery & Community - T-Shirts, Posters, Greeting Cards, Wall Art, Fine Art Prints, Calendars & More - RedBubble.com . They have a security set up where the right click save image function is disabled and if you attempt to save a pic it will just save it as a blank white photo. It’s not as user friendly but the security makes up for that.

[Krusty79]

Disabling the right click is not good enough. Someone can still do a Print Screen and copy your image that way, so don't get a false sense of security. I watermark all new images I upload to Flickr.

[dakwegmo]

Disabling right click on a website is about as effective as locking your door, while leaving the windows widows wide open. Sure it may add some level of security, but it's not going to slow down anyone intent on getting your images. Even the clear image overlays aren't going to stop anyone that knows what they're doing.

The only way to reasonably protect your images is to not display them, which isn't exactly foolproof, and defeats the purpose of creating images in the first place. The next best thing is to only post relatively small images so that even if they are stolen, they can't be used for much. A watermark can help ensure you get credit, if it's used unaltered, but those are fairly easy to remove.

I'm all for sharing images, just be aware that when you share images online (anywhere, not just Flickr) there will be people who will try to steal your work, and in many cases succeed. Make sure what they can get isn't the best version of what you have.

[kirbinster]

I have mine set so that only friends can see my larger images, so that if anyone downloads from the screen they are not getting high res copies. But it makes for a very cheap off site backup. The pro account gives you unlimitted storage for only $25 a year.

While even paranoid people can have real enemies, who is it that you are concerned about stealing your stuff?

[nickbedford]

There is no way to stop people from getting any image you place on the Internet. It's simply not possible.

Watermarks are used for this reason, even if they only serve as a self-crediting system (say, logo in bottom corner).

[OsmosisStudios]

I only allow people to see fairly small sizes (no high-res, though it's uploaded as a cloud backup for myself).

[nickbedford]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

I only allow people to see fairly small sizes (no high-res, though it's uploaded as a cloud backup for myself).

I never upload full resolution images too. I limit mine to 1000 pixels on the long side. This may be larger than some people like to have on the net but it works for me.