Sigma Photography
copyright on photos (split from WC Sparrow)
There are a few nice pics of this bird on the usual web sites. I find both amusing yet puzzling why some photographers (even though presumably not professional in the true sense of the word) put their names and various swirls all over images when they are either no better than other unadulterated pics and in many cases a lot worse. Look at the latest Smurf birds offerings for instance, why would you protect a hideous video grab? Either sell them to your many admiring fans and stay off the public boards or join in the spirit of rejoicing in something beautiful and lets see it rather than imprisoning it electronically. I know there is all the copyright stuff etc but in most cases of long staying ,accessible megas there will be dozens of images freely available and I'm sure no one will make any money off them would they?
[QUOTE=nexstarneil;1098162]There are a few nice pics of this bird on the usual web sites. I find both amusing yet puzzling why some photographers (even though presumably not professional in the true sense of the word) put their names and various swirls all over images when they are either no better than other unadulterated pics and in many cases a lot worse. Look at the latest Smurf birds offerings for instance, why would you protect a hideous video grab? Either sell them to your many admiring fans and stay off the public boards or join in the spirit of rejoicing in something beautiful and lets see it rather than imprisoning it electronically. I know there is all the copyright stuff etc but in most cases of long staying ,accessible megas there will be dozens of images freely available and I'm sure no one will make any money off them would they?[/QUOTE]
Most people moan about swirls/names and copyright symbols only when they want to download them and avoid paying the photographer for their efforts.
Would you park your bike in the town centre and not lock it up?
or leave your bins in a public hide for others to use prior to your return.
I didnt think so.
Very little is free in this world anymore- pay up or shut up !
You could email the photographer through the link or via their website and ask them for a copy either digitally or print, in return for a donation to the photographers favourite charity.
The photographers get stick for being at a twitch in the first place, hogging spaces, not moveing on, getting too close, flushing etc (some is justified) but then you have the cheek to demand a freeby download
I cannot believe some people. 
[QUOTE=crabplover;1098183]Very little is free in this world anymore- pay up or shut up ![/QUOTE]
Surfbirds IS free isn't it? If every surbirds contributer slapped watermarks accross the subject of their photos then there would be no point in ever looking at the surfbirds website. Photographers who want to spoil their images could get their own website and put a lot of nackered photos on it and then see how many people bothered to visit it.