A Summary Statement for the Photo Group:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

A member was discovered to have submitted photos to contests which weren't the photographer's own original work.

EarlG and about 10 Photography Group hosts were involved in a discussion of how to handle the situation. It was decided to block the individual, which will prevent that person from posting in the Photography Group or entering any future contests.

Here is a reminder for all of us of what the purpose of this group is. Discuss photography as an art, skill, and means of communication, as well as share photographs. Professional, amateur, digital and traditional film are all welcome.

It is really important that we trust our fellow members to not only follow the rules of the contests and only submit our own original work, but to honor and respect the intent of the group to be truthful with one another so that we can learn from each other and become better photographers.

We are not going to publish the name of the individual; public shaming is not something we do.

I am signing this post for the participating Hosts:

CaliforniaPeggy
A Host of the Photo Group

[Walleye]

1. I really don't understand why anybody would do this

[underpants]

2. ❤️

The photography contests are a part of why DU is so great.

[Srkdqltr]

3. It's a shame that someone would do that.

Glad it was caught and taken care of.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

4. Really sad person who tries to get fake adulation. They need to get help. . . . nt

[Soph0571]

5. What the actual?

Who would do this? That just sucks. We are all of in this for the fun of it. Oh and well a bit of a competitive streak - speaking for myself only

Oh well they have done themselves out of the pleasure of the group, and my picture for Jan sucks - but at least I took it myself, or did I? *Soph strokes chin'

[sinkingfeeling]

6. What a shame. I readily admitted I'm not a

photographer, but love taking them and was invited to enter the contests.

[Soph0571]

7. You are such a talent

Your images are wonderful

I am not a photographer either - not sure that is the point of the comps. It is about Photography not photographers!

[sinkingfeeling]

8. Thanks. I love your hauntingly beautiful photos.

[AndyS]

9. This could be a potentially serious issue.

Plagiarism is a dishonest and a deceitful thing but copy right infringement can become a legal issue. That said serious action has been taken to deal with a serious situation. It's done.

This is a fun and gregarious place. The contest isn't and never has been about "winning". There aren't any prizes or trophies. This is about sharing things we have seen, moments sliced out of time that we witnessed and bits of beauty we can share with the DU community. It is about us sharing with us.

Now lets get on with the next 'contest'!!

[Retired Engineer Bob]

10. This must have been difficult to deal with

And I appreciate your group’s making this statement. Hard for me to imagine why someone would do this.

I always appreciate the photo contest threads, there is so much talent on DU. I hope you, and the talented folks that submit photos keep up the good work.

[Mira]

11. A saddening situation

that upset me. This person won 1st place once, and 3rd place once not only with photographs lifted elsewhere, but also invented details about them when praised.
I actually wanted the person named as well as blocked, but obviously got outvoted on that part.

One thing I like is that every single one commenting here is not the culprit.
Because that one isn't able to come here and speak or post ever again.

[Talitha]

19. TBH I'd like to see them named, too.

It sickens me to think I might have voted for them.

[Gato Moteado]

21. can you give us a hint.....

...as to who the perpetrator is?

inquiring minds want to know!

[LakeArenal]

22. It wasn't hard to figure out.

Image search of the last couple winners sorted it out.

Yes the made up story was the some crazy stuff.

[StarryNite]

12. What's wrong with some people?

I've never entered and have no intention of doing so but I really enjoy seeing the beautiful work of the DU photographers. I'm glad whoever it was was caught and will not be able to take the fun away for everyone else.

[HAB911]

13. That is sad

and we were having such fun too

[CaliforniaPeggy]

15. And we will have fun again, my dear HAB911...♥

[Solly Mack]

14. Thank you, Peggy

Thank you to the group.

Moving forward.

[mnhtnbb]

16. For all the controversy about the nature of Facebook

among it's critics vs supporters here on DU, it was on my Facebook feed that I discovered the first photo which I recognized as a winner in one of our contests. Imagine my surprise! Investigation eventually yielded the Instagram account of the photographer who was not the person on DU who entered the photo in the contest! More investigation led to discovering a second photo also had been submitted to a different contest and was tracked to a different photographer and the website where it was for sale.

Deception may be undone. Truth will out. But sometimes it takes a fair amount of work to get there, which to me is worth it, rather than letting it go.

[Callalily]

17. Thank you Peggy for dealing with this sensitive issue!

The Photography Group is the best group on DU. I've learned so much viewing other's photography. I'm glad that we are keeping the integrity of this group intact!

[Mz Pip]

18. So strange

It seems like an awful lot of effort to go searching for someone else’s photo to post for our photo contest and then making up details about them.

We do this for fun and to be a part of a small, but enthusiastic community. I just can’t see the point of faking your work.

[CC]

20. As it should be.

Good job there. I will add that it is a form of theft to claim someone else art as your own. I don't understand the thinking behind it when there is prize money to be won but when winning does not come with a prize well, there is something missing in a person that would do this here. Thank you for being on it.