The Greatest Compliment

Those who know me, know that I have recently (within the last year) been bitten with the photography bug. I purchased my first digital camera last summer in preparation for a trip to Mexico and was instantly addicted. To me, there is little else that can evoke such powerful emotions as much as pictures. They make us laugh and cry. They captivate and envelope us. They strip away the external world so in that very moment our perceived reality consists only of ourselves and that into which we are staring.

This past fall, with one or two decent photos 'in hand', I joined the amateur photography website, Caedes.net. My intention was - and still is - to garner critiques from fellow photographers with the hope of improving my composition, technique, style, etc. Thus far it has been a somewhat rewarding experience and I have learned quite a few things. Much to my amazement, when I signed on today I had a personal message waiting for me. Below is the full text of the message, with names removed.

Mr. Taylor,

Upon recently reading the copyright information for all Caedes images, I realize that I owe you an apology. In "Copyright and Image Use," it is clearly indicated that, without written permission from you, I cannot use your images as any part of a webpage.

As you will clearly see, I have used one of your images in this banner and background for webpage usage: http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l170/naomi_onthetundra/SendTheLight.png and http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l170/naomi_onthetundra/SendTheLightbackground.png. I edited the image on Photoshop and created a banner and background. I have them displayed on my website, http://www.xanga.com/naomi_onthetundra; it is near the bottom of the page. Although I give you sole credit for the original image through the address to your gallery on the banner (and also below the image preview and other features, in a type of “box“), I know that does not suffice for my actions.

However delayed, I now ask for your permission to you your image for this banner. Please give me a Yes or No; I will gladly accept a No answer and remove the image from the Internet, if that is your wish. If you grant permission to use the image, I would be grateful.

Again, you have my sincerest apology.

In Christ alone,

XXXX

First of all, I have no idea why the person addressed me as 'Mr. Taylor,' for this is nowhere in my profile, but that is a minor point. In the few short months of my 'photographic career', I have received a number compliments from friends and family (as well as those on Caedes) for my pictures, but by far the greatest compliment is the realization that someone, unbeknownst to me, thought highly enough of my picture to reproduce it on their webpage.

By copying and pasting the above urls you can see the altered image.