GCU Forum - A bit miffed!

Karen_131257

Senior Member
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Posts: 332

A bit miffed!
Dec 6^th, 2010, 5:42am

Hi
I don`t like to complain but I am a bit fed up with the assumption of some reviewers that because most of my work is photographic that I am incapable of producing graphical images!
I have waited patiently for weeks for cards to be reviewed, and have now had some returned for edits because they are not photographic like most of my cards are. I am a photographer/graphic artist, most of my graphical cards get approved ok, so why are some being returned? I don`t mention on my store that I only do photography, and don`t see any rules at GCU that a store can`t feature photography and graphic based cards. I am venturing back into hand and computer drawn images now as well as photography, am I to assume I`m just going to be wasting my time? Please don`t assume photographers don`t posess enough skills to also make graphics as well.
Thanks
Karen

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Lisa_133761 Full Member artist Posts: 187	Re: A bit miffed! Reply #1 - Dec 6^th, 2010, 5:51am Hi Karen, What was the reason for rejection? I am a photographer and graphic designer, like yourself, but have not had rejections based on whether I am doing something different artistically. Could you provide more info re: the reason for returning your cards. Lisa
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Karen_131257

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Re: A bit miffed!
Reply #2 - Dec 6^th, 2010, 5:56am

Hi Lisa
The only reason was because they do not resemble my usual work, I.E graphic as opposed to photographic! I have always included the occasional graphical card and most are approved without any problem, I have almost 13,000 cards so if there was a problem with my work it should have been sorted by now! This latest batch took weeks to get reviewed, lots of graphical/computer drawn cards got through!
Karen

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Lisa_133761

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Re: A bit miffed!
Reply #3 - Dec 6^th, 2010, 6:01am

I am still a little unclear. Are they accusing you of copyright infringement? Did they say or suggest that it is indeed NOT your work? I am unaware in the TOS that GCU dictates that artists establish a certain style and will have cards rejected if they deviate from that style.

I don't understand why they would start rejecting after you have sent in so many graphic designs.

Could you cut and paste the reviewers comments?

Lisa

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Karen_131257

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Posts: 332

Re: A bit miffed!
Reply #4 - Dec 6^th, 2010, 6:22am

Hi Lisa

Not exactly saying they think I impeded copyright but it can easily be read that way,

"I am asking as this does not in any way resemble your customary work please advise the origin of this image"

I have already been through suddenly having to explain my graphical images with my last batch of cards before this one, I can`t prove I made the image myself years ago and I`m not going to waste any more time trying to explain all over again. I also had to previously explain some images I made from tutorials ... got told I can`t use images from tutorials. I replied I wrote the tutorials they came from, made the original tutorial graphic myself etc, supplied URL`s for the tutorials and finally got them approved, but I don`t have any urls etc to prove ownership of the image in question this time because I made it many years ago and recently found it on an old CD waiting to be used!

I would have hoped it was easy to see I`m not in the habit of breaking copyrights etc by the sheer number of original cards in my shop... I`m a photographer first, I believe in copyright, I wouldn`t use other people`s work any more than I would appreciate other`s using mine. I know there are some that may look similar to others, it`s not always possible to photograph some subjects so that they don`t resemble other images... but mine are all my own work... the graphical ones are my own designs and the photographic ones are my own photo`s. The one that was returned this time has already been approved for different categories in earlier batches without any problem, I haven`t deviated from my usual style as I have always included occasional graphics in between many photographics.

I`m just annoyed at this after waiting weeks for review in the first place.

Karen

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Lisa_133761

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Re: A bit miffed!
Reply #5 - Dec 6^th, 2010, 6:33am

I totally understand your frustration Karen. The comment pasted from the reviewer, in my opinion, is completely unacceptable. I would appreciate if someone from GCU would chime in as to this comment. I do not expect reviewers to go through my previous work to decide whether it is consistent with my "style". I am an artist and it is my prerogative if I want to do something different, or have multiple artistic skills.

Whenever we submit work, we check the box declaring that the copyright belongs to us. Isn't this GCU's protection against litigation under the grounds of copyright infringement? If so, why do I keep hearing about reviewers asking about infringement. Perhaps GCU can clarify this. If the check box does not clear GCU of responsibility, it should be removed all together. Then the reviewers can question and investigate every single card.

I am really concerned about the comment by your reviewer Karen. GCU.. please reply to this thread.

Lisa

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Karen_131257

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Posts: 332

Re: A bit miffed!
Reply #6 - Dec 6^th, 2010, 6:42am

Thanks Lisa
It doesn`t help I have had a few bad weeks health wise and sudden death in the family, my work helps me relieve the stress but this just about blew it all up again!
I was so mad I just deleted the cards, as I can`t be bothered wasting my time explaining something I already explained in detail several weeks ago. I still have loads waiting for review, wonder how many will be questioned!
Oh well, in the meantime I still have many more to upload.
Thanks again, love your cards by the way!
Karen

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Sheryl_133470 Gold Member artist Posts: 705	Re: A bit miffed! Reply #7 - Dec 6^th, 2010, 6:58am Karen, I am sorry to hear you are not feeling well and my sympathies to you for the loss of your loved one. I hope you get these recent review questions resolved soon, so you can relieve the stress that it is causing you! I hope you feel better very soon!! Wishing you all the best! Hugs, Sher
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Karen_131257 Senior Member artist Posts: 332	Re: A bit miffed! Reply #8 - Dec 6^th, 2010, 7:01am Aww thanks hun, I appreciate it! Karen
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Linda_132742

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Posts: 1796

Re: A bit miffed!
Reply #9 - Dec 6^th, 2010, 7:49am

Karen....I would be more than a "bit miffed"...you show great reserve. At times, from what I read, it seems more and more like the "current" review process is becoming more of a "review police/gestapo process", serving more to hinder/alienate creatives, rather than improve GCU and search engine optimization.
Personally I can quickly think of 4 distinctive artistic styles I employ, and hopefully there will be more. As an artist I constantly challenge my talents and would hate to be limited to one or two styles. Artists are creative evolving creatures, who go thru various "periods" in there artistic journey. This should be very easy for anyone to acknowledge, accept and celebrate.

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Karen_131257

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Re: A bit miffed!
Reply #10 - Dec 6^th, 2010, 7:57am

Thanks Linda,
I would hate to be restricted to one medium/style, I prefer variety in my shop. When the weather is bad like now, I stay in and create images to use if I can`t get out with the cameras, at least I should be allowed to use them without having to explain myself!
As already mentioned, we check that we have rights to the image on upload, I also always put in my artist notes that the image is an original by Karen`s Kreations, that should be enough!
Karen

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Mary__137064

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Re: A bit miffed!
Reply #11 - Dec 6^th, 2010, 8:05am

Karen, oftentimes the readers are being overly cautious about the copyright issue...as they may be trained to be. The copyright issue is a very complicated one that I only begin to understand.

I have helped the process along by doing such things as

1. getting written permission from the company I refer to and sending that on to GCU.

2. getting material regarding the particular issue from the internet and sending the URL to GCU

3. providing a logical argument.

In your case, I would provide any draft drawings...match the image up at the image site which scans the internet for similar images or maybe get a witness to endorse your claim.

Copyright infringement law suits can be very costly and complicated, so we all need to be on our toes and help each other along whenever possible. We don't want GCU to get driven out of the card business.

Karen, please accept my sincere condolences on the lost of your loved ones.

Bright

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Annette_141343

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Re: A bit miffed!
Reply #12 - Dec 6^th, 2010, 8:14am

Wow... I have only a handful of cards.. but they are selling.. (I've been too busy to add more and have had to delete a couple that were used by a major market)
BUT.. I would be upset too!
As a photographer.... I know how easy it is for people to steal other people's PHOTOGRAPHY .. but no one's ever questioned my integrity on my own photographs!
I know many multi talented designers who are also photographers.
I have considered just removing myself from this site as the rules are now so complex that to adhere to them so much humor is removed from the card. Such as .. if you are making a card for "boyfriend"... the actual word boyfriend has to be used in the entry (from my understanding) . Makes it cheap and lame. : /

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Karen_131257

Senior Member
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Posts: 332

Re: A bit miffed!
Reply #13 - Dec 6^th, 2010, 8:19am

Hi Bright,
I don`t have any draft images hun, the image was made several years ago and I don`t keep practise images, I save the work as I go along until it`s finished. In fact I`m now using a different computer as the one I made it on died, so there wouldn`t be anything remotely to do with it`s creation on this one!
I wasn`t aware of an image site that scans for similar images, I will look into that if I can find it but if any of mine are on there it`s because they are already in use on my other sites/shops etc, or someone else has stolen them, which wouldn`t be the first time! I would hate to be accused (again) of stealing my own images just because I`m using them for a different purpose. (Someone once said on Shutterstock that someone in CafePress was using stolen waterfall images that are from Shutterstock. He provided the link to the shop in question and it was my shop and my photo`s that I used and also sold at Shutterstock. I have since removed all my images from Shutterstock!)
Karen

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Karen_131257

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Posts: 332

Re: A bit miffed!
Reply #14 - Dec 6^th, 2010, 8:26am

Hi Annette
Please don`t remove your cards, they`re wonderful!
Most of the time I agree or can see where the reviewer is coming from, but I have had this problem twice now and thought my previous lengthy explaination would have settled any arguments!
In future I will add a long explaination to any cards that might not be quite my normal style, before submitting for review... it will probably still be questioned though!
Karen

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