Wednesday, May 9, 2012

#26 Being in the Public Eye

So I wanted to take a second and reach out to my other blog fashionistas out there and inquire about a specific problem or issue I'm having. Advice or thoughts would be appreciated.

I recently submitted one of my OOTD's to a plus size fashion tumblr that I really love because firstly, I adore it and I want to be a part of it and, secondly, I was hoping to get some traffic and new followers to my blog. When I checked the tumblr, there were a lot of reblogs and some sweet compliments that really continue to boost my confidence and make me feel positively about maintaining my fashion blog. However, when I checked one of the tumblrs, I was pretty disgusted to see my photo on a pornographic NSFW tumblr. I feel extremely grossed out and uncomfortable with that. I could ask the person to take it off their blog but I'm not sure if that's truly going to accomplish anything.

I am not so naive as to misunderstand what happens when you submit photos or content to the internet-- it is out there permanently for anyone to use, misuse, post, reblog, edit, etc. Just my image juxtaposed with these pornographic ones was upsetting. I guess at this point, I either have to accept that people may reblog my images and accept the so-called "terms" of the internet or I have to be solely an admirer, not a participant in these submission tumblrs to try to redeem some of my privacy. My images are on Pinterest now too-- which again, is a blessing and a curse because it brought me lots of traffic and awesome new blogs to read yet at the same time, is a symbol of my loss of control over my own images (literally in two senses: images of me and MY images). And when you get down to it, if I'm that concerned with protecting my images, then I guess I shouldn't have a blog at all because anyone could steal my images from this page alone and use them inappropriately or without my permission-- people already did on Pinterest. Is that really the right and only answer?

Such is my dilemma. What are your thoughts? Have your images ever been misused or posted on an inappropriate website? How did you deal with this issues? Please share your thoughts and experiences-- it would really be helpful to me.

UPDATE: The person who re-blogged my image respectfully took it down. Faith in humanity somewhat restored. Would still love thoughts on this debate!

3 comments:

  1. I have heard some nightmare stories about submitting pics, or even posting pics on the internet. I have gotten some creepy reblogs as well on tumblr. They havent crossed any major lines so I didnt fuss. The fact this person took it down is wonderful, people still respect people out there!

    as for my own pics, I try and post the best ones as often as possible, without running the risk of looking either vain or too picky. Not every pic is great(i am a normal real person without photoshop after all) and I do let the occasional "bad pic" get tagged or slip by just for the sake of me seeming "real".

    ...ya know I coulda sworn I didnt care about what people think...guess my internet personality does. Isnt that what the net is all about?

    Great post and very nive pix on Tumblr(thats how I found your blog :)

    CD xo
    Cruiserdolly.blogspot.com

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  2. Yeah, I saw your pic on FYCF and I definitely understand the issue of putting your image out for everyone to use. I don't have a Tumblr account but my sister does and she tells me nightmarish stories about what people put up all the time. I think you answered your own question though. We choose to put things on the internet and we immediately loose control of those things. We can find ways to try to protect our intangible property but as we all know, nothing is perfect or absolute.

    ANYways, I love your blog and pictures. You are definitely an inspiration for what I want for my blog in terms of OOTDs. Keep on blogging because I'm a follower now!

    Cierra
    http://cierra-soambitious.blogspot.com/

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  3. OH MY WORD!! I don't even know what Tumblr is but I better go and look to see if any of my photos are on there! eeeek!! Thank God they took your photo down! I guess I've never really thought about the misuse of my photos. I swear I can be quite naive about this whole internet thing. Going to search my name and blog now....

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