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For The Love Of Creative Commons

I love taking photos and I love Flickr.

What I love almost as much as taking photos is finding that someone has used one of my photos in their blog posts. All of my public photos on Flickr give you permission for use, so long as you give attribution. I do this via the Creative Commons license. If you take lots of local photos, it's a great way to get exposure beyond your blog.

Some of what I consider my favorite photos, like the one to the right, have never been used via the Creative Commons. And, I think you'll see from the uses below, the photos that were chosen by others to illustrate their posts are not "award winning" photography.

I've written before about using the flickr creative commons as a way to connect with local photographers. It's a way to put YEO in action. Anyone who sets their photos to this level of sharing is happy to see their photos used. Me included. I monitor the use of the my online nickname, "respres", via my Google feed reader so I can find as much of it as possible. Lately I've been getting a nice little surpise about once a day. I thought I'd show you how the creative commons process works when it is used correctly and give a few of these writers some AR link love in the process. :)

Here are a few places my photos have shown up in the past few weeks. It's interesting to see the different contexts in which the photos have been used.

A Photo Of A Foreclosure Sign

The Zoo: Sign Of The Times

Redfin: All Aboard The Foreclosure Bus

Get Home Denver Team: Demystifying Real Estate Investing

Consumerist: More Than 1 Million Homes Are Now In Foreclosure

The AM Law Daily: This Week In Law

FrugalDad: 75 Tips To Survive In A Down Economy

A Photo Of Hiking In Los Angeles

10 Things To Do With Your Kids This Summer

A Photo Of LA Traffic

Metblogs LA: Putting The Tiger In Your Tank On A Diet

The Good Human: Have You Started Turning Your Car Off At Red Lights To Save Gas?

A Photo Of My Shattered iPhone Screen

Consumerist: The New iPhone Is $160 More Expensive Than The $399 iPhone It Replaced. What?

Loquor: Shattered iPhone Screen

A Photo From An Internet Meetup

Douglas E. Welch: Join Us For Morning Tech Talk At The Doctor's Note Get-Together

A Photo Of Six Flags Magic Mountain Cybercafe

Andy.KBC.MY: I'm AT A Stupid Cybercafe

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UPDATE Friday, June 20: Here is one I was alerted to this morning. I'm posting it here because it's a topic close to my heart. :) This "photo" was actually a screen capture of my email restoring.

Could You Go Emai-Free Once A Week?

Posted by Jeff Turner on 06/20/2008 01:54 AM

Comments (92)

flickr, creative commons, yeo, photography

Originally posted at: Turner's Perspective: For The Love Of Creative Commons

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92 Comments on For The Love Of Creative Commons

JUN

2008

great photos's jeff! and.... we just love using your 'realestateshows.com' thank you - thank you - thank you :)

Kara... no, thank you - thank you - thank you!! :)

Another thank you Jeff. Your blogs are at the top of my list. I think that most of my bookmarks are from you!

{SVW} Hubba...

Geesh. I keep forgetting you've given us consent to use your images on Flickr. I will keep that in mind. Perhaps I just need to thump my own head once and awhile :) I love Flickr. It's one of the few places I can go and actually find the twisted kind of images I need for my Blog :)

TLW...ROAR!

Jeff,

Good idea...I'll have to try this out...I'm laying low with photos for only my local posts so it might be a good idea to experiment with this.

I forgot about that as well. Thanks for the reminder Jeff!

Jeff, can flicker resize images to proper ratios. I have a logo on my RES account and it gets cut off on teh right and left side no matter how I try to resize the photo or canvas. I don't want it to appear distorted, but I can't use it like that either! Suggestions?

Well that's pretty coolJ eff. I guess all of these photos link back to you. That's a good thing.

I have been so paranoid about using photos that seem to be free, but then you find they are not in the form of a lawsuit. This is great! I will have to check out Flickr. Thank you, Jeff!

Ron... you must be trying to upload a logo into the personal photo slot. We'll resize and place yoru custom logo for you. Just send it to info@realestateshows.com and our CS team will take care of it

Elaine, just make sure your searching on flickr using their advanced search and search for only photos that are creative commons licensed for commercial use. As mine are.

Hi Jeff... Creative Commons licensing is definitely a win-win proposition. Excellent exposure for the creatives and a great source of fresh material for those who need/want pics. It definitely looks like it's working well for you!

Marti... the interesting thing for me is that some of my least "creative" photos are some of the ones that get picked up and used. So, people shouldn't think they need to be an "artist" to have this work for them.

Hi Jeff...It must feel great when someone uses your photos, especially that first time.

I went to Flickr and began looking at your pictures until I finally realized that's for another time when I have lots of it.

I especially liked the one sliding on the stairs. My children used twin mattresses and called it Mattress Mountain. Thanks for reminding me.

Kathleen

Hi Jeff, you take some awesome creative photos. I think I have to join flickr and put up some of my photos that I took recently.

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for the info on this, it's new to me. You've always been so giving and willing to share with us all. BTW, I just ordered the Panasonic you suggested.

neat pics and the places they are showing up are interesting, I tend to forget about flicker

I really need to check what I have mine set at. I remember when I signed up for Flickr I didn't go into the detail to know what I was doing...

Thanks, once again, Sir Turner. You amaze me.

I love photos also and enjoy seeing other areas thanks for sharing. I agree use my photos as long as you give credit.

JUN

2008

Jeff, you've done some absolutely awesome photography!

Jeff- Your photos are all really good, as much as it sucks (that it actually happened) I think I like the shattered iphone the most :-\ sorry. The Bee and the flowers is a really really really close #2 lol (I just hate bees I get stung atleast 5-10 times a year lol) Thanks for the info as well.

Jeff, I love Flickr too, I have a question, when I use a photo there from creative commons, I put in the alt tag the name of the photographer, is this Ok?

Does the credit belong elsewhere in the post? I noticed your iphone didn't give you credit. How did you get a Google Alert on that one?

Jeff This is great, now I know where I can go for some pictures! Guess I should take some more and do something like this as well. Thanks for the idea!

Jeff...

As an early-online Internet Photographer, my photos show up on thousands of pages, most are properly acredited.

The ones that are not, nine times out of ten, are used by REAL ESTATE AGENTS!

I even saw one of mine, posted on Localism by ANOTHER AGENT with my copyright notice on the photo!

I'll have to look into this more. I have been contacted twice though asking if I would give persmission for a specific photo, most likely since I don't have that checked. At least they asked.

Jeff it is good to be loved. You do a great job with your photos..noc surprise there!

Great pictures, thanks for your post. I used to be a professional photographer before my life in real estate...you have sparked something in me because now I want to go out and take some more pictures. How have you been handling the situations where you are not being given credit for the pictures?

Your photos are terrific, Jeff. An obviously lots of others love them too! A nice way to be honored, as long as they are used appropriately. I never seem to get around to loading photos to Flickr.

Jeff

It's great to see you get so much extra exposure. Do you link it back to your blog or just attributal by name.

Jeff, that is pretty cool. I had not even thought about putting my flickr id as a google alert. Now it kind of makes me wonder if any of mine had been used before. Looks like I have something else to add to my list of alerts. Of course, looking at your photos as I have done in the past, I can see why many of them have been used.

I loved the iPhone image but of course they are all great. I had no idea we can use some photos on Flickr...thanks for yet another great bit of info!

Missy... I don't believe that is enough. You may have missed the link in the iPhone posots. Both of the posts that used my iPhone photo linked back to the Flckr photo page. The first link did so at the very end of the article, like this: (Photo: respres).

Missy... also, I find them when they don't give credit, but use the image link, as was the case with this one: The Buy And Bail. I use a link search instead of a word search. Most of the time, I will go and comment on the post that I'm happy they liked my photo, but it requires attribution.

For those who don't know how to do that, here's how this one works. I put link:http://www.flickr.com/photos/respres into a blog search. Then I save that to my feed reader. I also do it for other variations of how they could link to my flickr account.

Jeff, fantastic photo of the bee and flowers. The bee almost seems three-dimensionally closer to us.

Here is an alert that popped up this morning. A photo was used in LifeHacker. This one is a screen capture. But it's also a topic close to my heart, so it was a double bonus.

Could You Go Email-Free Once a Week?

Stefan... as I said to Missy, I will usually find those instances using the link searches I do. When I do, I typically go comment on their posts. They will either fix it and not post my comment, or they'll post my comment which gives me attribution. Unfortunately, there is no way to track those who might save the jpeg images to their hard drive and upload into their blogs that way.

Jeff, thank you for making your photos available on Flickr with the CC licensing. Your picture worked well in my post about things to do with your kids and I will have to look through the rest of your portfolio for future posts. It is too bad that a lot of people don't provide the attribution, as it not only gives the credit where it is due but can help point other people to new sources of great work.

Thanks again for the photo and for the link!

Derek.. it's all about building relatiionships. YEO, you engaging others. You do that when you use the CC correctly. Thank you!

Jeff, thanks for the instructions on CC - I have loaded a ton of photos of my local area and would love others to use them so off I go to my flickr acct. I also appreciate you showing the examples of how to attribution. Thanks!

Jeff - Great pictures. I enjoy taking great pictures of wildlife and nature, so I understand. Keep up the good work, it's a real education reading your post.

Jeff - You know that I love your pics already. I did forget that I could use them though. thanks for the thoughtful reminder. See ya on Twitter along with all the rest of our buddies. Thanks again Jeff BH

Jeff- You have got a kick grass blog. I really enjoy it, thank you. See you in cyberspace!!

How cool Jeff that you ave more than one creative talent. Cooler yet is that you are sharing it thru the world putting really putting it "out there" in cyberspace...thanks you sharing !

Jeff, I've been looking for new ways to find photos, thanks for the tips on CC. Also, Ron may want to download "IrfanView" it's an excellent free program for resizing photos.

Excellent photos! Way to go Jeff!

The last time tried to find the photos I wanted on Flickr, I had trouble finding any under the Creative Commons licensing. So I've accumulated a list of about 15 other sites that make it easier to find what I want. Maybe you know womething I don't know.

JUN

2008

Jeff, I always enjoy your posts. They are filled with great information. I also love Flickr, and love your photos AND RES..,;-) Your photo of the bee is very nice....

I am so jealous I missed meeting with you and the others on the 6th...I was in Santa Clarita at a high school graduation for one of my grandsons. Next time...I hope....;-)

Lisa... there's no question that it's harder to find the perfect photo on Flickr than on a stock photography site. We pay $249 a month to Shutterstock to have access to some of the best stock photography available, so I understand that.

But there are millions and millions of photos available under creative commons for commercial use and if you're doing a local story and can find a photo by another local photographer that allows you to connect with them, it's far superior for you than a random stock photo from an unknown and unreachable pro.

If a local realtor uses one of my photos, they get my attention. You can see above that just mentioning one of the posts my photos appeared in attracted the blog writer to comment. So, is it easier to find a stock photo on a stock photo site. Sure. Is it always better? No.

Teri, so I flew from Santa Clarita to Phoenix and you flew from Phoenix to Santa Clarita? What are the odds?

Jeff... Amazing photo and thank you for sharing this information... I LOVE FREE STUFF! I'm adding something else to my list!

JUN

2008

Jeff - as you know I am all for free and while I do not have time at the moment I will be checking out your flickr portfolio

Jeff, thanks for your contribution of photos, but also providing a post that helps my creative juices into action.

I get so busy sometimes I forget to smell the roses. That could have terminal results if I were a bee.

Jeff,

Once again another blog with great information. GREAT picture also.

AUG

2008

Hey Jeff, I too have been taking many Bee pictures and have been trying to save enough to make a calendar to sell... care to see mine?

James, I'd love to see them.

AUG

2008

Hi Jeff...Thanks for the Great post and sharing this with us. I created my Flickr account now; where I added my Best Friend my American Cocker Spaniel "Winston" my handle is Victoria Realtor.

Cheers, hope you're having a great Summer!

AUG

2008

Jeff... What Kind of camera did you use to capture this image?

Debbie... that bee photo was captured using a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5.

AUG

2008

Sold... I'm going to buy one tomorrow. Wow!

AUG

2008

Jeff... I picked up my camera today.

It's AWESOME!

Great Photos..thanks for sharing them and for the opportunity to share them with others.

AUG

2008

That is really cool of you to post your photos as Creative Commons. It's so hard to find images sometimes. Usually as I'm typing a blog post, I have an idea of what kind of photos I want in certain spots. And I have bookmarked several copyrigh-free sites. I don't usually even try to find anything on Flickr. I'll have to check out your stuuf =)

AUG

2008

Thanks for clarifying this Jeff. I'm a Flickr user but was confused by all the attribution options. I'll definitely take your advice. Thanks a bunch!

I check out Flickr pictures from time to time but did not know we could use some of them. I am always looking for a good source and your pictures are a great. This explained it very well and very useful.

SEP

2008

Jeff ... I will check out Flickr, I usually use Snapfish. Great photos, thanks for sharing them!

SEP

2008

Hi Jeff, I've taken your advice and marked my photos with a Creative Commons license. But I'm not really sure which one I should be using. Which one do you use? Thanks for sharing!

Jeff,

You must have a good eye in order to capture these quality pic's! Normally people are drawn toward a picture they like not only because of the subject matter, but for the quality. I guess you should consider it a compliment that others are using your pictures for their own use. It must be a little strange seeing your pic's used on someone elses write up.

SEP

2008

Jeff- I'm on Flickr and trying to figure out how I can tell if a photo can be used (with proper attribution) through the Creative Commons license. Is there an icon or something? Thanks:-) PS: Love your Real Estate Shows!

OCT

2008

I had no idea Flikr had this feature... thanks for sharing your beautiful photos!

NOV

2008

Thanks Jeff. This has been a very informative post. I have been following all the links in AR on CC and Flickr. One could get lost in here...lol

DEC

Jeff: I'm a little late to this party. I'm curious what you do about folks who use your photos without attribution. I have a big problem with people hijacking my staging photos and claiming the work as their own. I have had to start watermarking them. Not only are they ripping me off, but they are ripping off consumers who think they are hiring someone who did the work they are being shown.

I have no problem with people using my photos with proper attribution, but that happens less rather than more.

DEC

Another reason why I should be using Flickr instead of Picasa! Another task to add to my New Year's resolutions!

Tina in Virginia

DEC

truly great photos! I will look for opportunities to use them. Thanks for sharing from an agent with a so-so camera!

Evelyn, you're so welcome. The best thing you can do is look for CC photos from people in your community. Then give them credit and use it as a way to connect.

JAN

Hello Jeff thanks for sharing your information. I will have to try this trick to see if I can make it work.

JAN

Thanks Jeff - Catching this post a little late, so let's dust it off for others who might have missed it as well. I've been meaning to learn more about Creative Commons so I've bookmarked this and your other post on the subject. Thanks for sharing your comfort level for the process. I also love taking and sharing photos, which I've done liberally on A|R, but other than a statement below the photo, I have no protection from plagiarism. Sincerely appreciated!

JAN

I'm not familiar with Creative Commons so must check this out. You provide such great information on this board. Thank you!

FEB

Jeff- as a photographer, this is an awesome idea for me! Thank you for sharing it. Thanks for sharing all of your incredible shots! Great job!

It's my pleasure JB!

FEB

Jeff-thanks for the post. I love the bee. I'm a little behind the curve so I didn't know you even know you could use other people's photos. I'm heading over to flickr right now!

APR

Thanks for the post! My first experience with Flickr was to find one of my photos in someone else's gallery with lots of nice comments. I didn't really mind, it was a shot I had taken of one of my listings that is a group of vacation rental condos called Black Canyon Inn. The more publicity the better, right? I think i'll go make more of my photos easy to share, thanks for the info!

Great blog post! I love capturing images. You have inspired me! Time get busy putting images out there in cyber space!

Thanks,

Jess

APR

Awesome info, Jeff. I really like Flickr but need to work on it some to make it as useful as you have. Thanks for all the tips.

Excellent "bee" photo!

APR

Hey as always Thanks for passing on GREAT info and some obvious needed tips. I have used Flickr, obviously just not enough! I just forwarded on the iPhone shatter picture, great picture. I am a lover of the iPhone!

Cheron Lange

APR

Jeff -

Wonderful photo I love the details you captured of the bee and the flower. Also it is neat how many people have used your photos and added their own spin on things. Keep up the great work.

MAY

That photo is so distinct... it's like the bee is overlaid on top of the flower. That is an awesome photo.

MAY

I forgot about this post. I just posted a long list of web sites that are all Creative Commons/Copyright Free/Royalty Free. I should upload some of mine to Flickr though. I have a ton of them. Some I'll share and some I won't ;-)

MAY

Thanks Jeff! Great content!

JUN

Nice post. I love the photos on Flickr!

JUL

I love this photo. I'll have to check out Flickr. Have a great week.

OCT

Even though I am frightened of bees and allergic to them, I love love this photo! I know we need the bees in our lives too. Thanks for the infomation. I will check it out. Angelica

NOV

Jeff, thanks for this post. I have not tried Flicker but will check it out! Beautiful photo!

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