Ah, those catalog photos!

In the past, we've made reference to the shameless pictures that catalogs offer to entice us into buying plants and seeds. I'm always researching plants online or ordering seeds, so I see the same photos over and over again on several sites. We've always had copyright issues, but I think these companies and websites must swipe a picture or just call a hard to find photo some sort of freebie. As an example, this is the image page for a Google search for Dianthus plumarius 'Ipswich Pink': http://images.google.com/images?q=Ipswich%20Pinks&hl=en&lr=&c2coff=1&safe=off&sa=N&tab=wi If you look closely, this has to be the same photo, just with different lighting or cropped differently. I noticed we don't have a picture of Ipswich in the PlantFinder. Anybody out there want to enter the only 'original' picture of Ipswich in the PF?

Edited for typo.

This message was edited Feb 3, 2005 2:58 PM

WZ, I have asked myself the same question, but then I decided the pictures are probably supplied by the wholesales nurseries/seed companies that offer a new introduction with the respective picture to the retail sellers.

Does this make sense?

Yes, it does, Ursula. However, sometimes they are species plants, as well. I've found my pictures on several sites, some commercial seed companies. I'm sure they've highgraded them from here and edited to crop out the copyright. I'd have been happy to let them use the photos if they had asked. I guess they don't call it the 'world wide web' for nothing!

Can't believe it! Did you contact them? If so, what was their reply?

I contacted one e-bay participant that was using one of my poppy pictures for the wrong poppy, and I believe it was removed. I contacted an online company asking if they were aware that pictures were being used without approval. They apologized and offered to take them off the site. I said it wasn't necessary and even sent some other pictures. I just think that they should be aware that that real people took these pictures, not some faceless entity.

At any rate, I was hoping somebody has their own photo of Ipswich Pink. I'm getting tired of looking at that same photo over and over!

I like how it's mirrored in some shots, blown-up in some and srunk others. Burpee is selling minatures and Hardyplants is selling Jumbos. LOL Maybe this is the only succsessful planting of them and they are stuck with a ton of no grow seeds. Ya think?

Hardyplants hardly shows any pictures with their seeds. You'd think they'd come up with something better or not bother.

I had one of my dayily pictures show up in an on-line catalogue last year. I noticed this year it's only visible when you click on the thumbnail to enlarge thumbnail. They are such nice people and just a small family business so I'm not objecting, but it was a surprise. Not my best either.
http://store.lilies.ca/cgi/lilies/D0061b.html?id=fYrgnbW7

http://davesgarden.com/journal/edit/viewentry.php?rid=54913 my journal

LOL, Echoes! Yes, I feel the same way when I find one of my lesser photos being used. I've actually contacted them offering a better one. I just think it is a good thing to let people know that we do notice when pictures are 'swiped'.

Was thinking of doing that.
The one that really bugged me last year was Sensation Lilac. It's a purple lilac with a white edge around the fowers. I have seen the ugliest depictions, altered in some photo editing program in umpteen catalogues. By people you think would know better. It looks like someone went around the edge of each little flower with white-out paint. Even I can see the brushmarks, and believe me that's saying a lot. Only once have I seen what might have been a real picture. Doesn't somebody own this lilac already.

Yes, pleeeeease, let's get some decent photos in the PF so folks can borrow them for their catalogs and have decent photos! I guess that's actually what I'm asking, isn't it!

Yep. All we need is a contest to see who can put the most photos in say - three weeks?

Nobody would bother stealing my photos. Waaa
LOL- Have you thought about selling your photos to those companies?

I'd be willing to trade for seeds! LOL!

Not me, I don't mind this one using my photo this time. Most of mine are not that great, I just like to have a record of the plants in my garden.

I just don't like to see them use them incorrectly.

This is not exactly in-line with this thread, but don't you just
love it when in the cheaper--er--less expensive catalogs
they have a drawing!! Makes you wonder why they can't
get a pic if the plants are so great!! They don't even take
the time & energy to steal 1!!

You think maybe I shouldn't buy anything from them??!!

I haven't seen any like that. We get one with just a few black and whites except for the cover, but they have good stuff and good prices.

I found an old, 1920 or something, catalog at an antique store. The company is still in business. The pictures in that catalog are still in their newest edition.
Sure saves them a ton of money. Don't have to reset the print for 80 years. One kid holding a big old watermelon, would now be close to a hundred years old. (Unless the picture was taken years before the old catalog).

Where do they get those pictures of vegetables so perfect ? You never see them in real life.

Bernie

LOL, Bernie... that 'boy' probably couldn't lift a watermelon these days! I'm sure there is a real market for good seed catalog photographers. As you say, our actual plants and produce never look that good.

Echoes, I think we Yanks are enamoured with illustrations. The visuals encourage us to buy. We also seem to need common names for the plants. Looking through catalogs without photos is overwhelming sometimes. I've just begun to reach a point at which I can identify many of the plants by botanical name and I don't mind running a Googles check on the ones of interest.

Some, If not most of them picture perfect pictures of fruit
is plastic fruit misted down with water.

Learned that from a photography coarse i took a wile ago.

now they can make that picture perfect steak dinner photo ..
everything on the plate is plastic ..



This message was edited Feb 13, 2005 1:24 PM

I wonder if they sell seeds for plastic veggies and fruits?

When I was in Japan and visited some of the resturants there I found that instead of a menu on the wall, they had plastic replica of the different dishes under a glass counter.
If you did not speak Japanise, It was not a problem you just pointed at the dish you wanted. The surpriseing part - when you were served it looked exactly the same as the replicia, I mean EXACTLY. Was nice.

This message was edited Feb 13, 2005 5:33 PM

That's really interesting, Dyson. I've had some meals served in restaurants that no one should duplicate in plastic!

not sure on the seeds for plastic veggies and fruits i havent
done any searching for them.

Im growing some lettus and tomato's and im still searching
for bacon seed so i can make my BLT and not have to
buy anything cept the bread. i could make too, but im getting lazy ;)

Hey, Sparky, how about those bacon bits? Those should shake right out for planting.

How well do they germinate?

They do fine if you can keep the dogs and bears out of the garden!

Weeze, you are "too much" again I bow.

It's always fun to 'chew the fat' with you, Dyson.

knew i could stir up some fun with the BLT

Weeze, if I ever get to visit my sister (Debbie), in Cordova I will need to vist w/you (if permitted). I can only hope at this point (but it is a nice dream). I do miss Alaska, but not the rain, was in southeast (Ketchikan). Really miss the seafood.. If you get to Cordova, look up sis (Debbie Deaton), the village is so small, I do not think you would have a problem locateing her.

She brought her children here last summer to visit w/our mother. I made dinner for them, and the thing I remember the most was that her children had never had "corn on the cob" before. They were estatcic about it (so was I w/their reception).

Can't spell - but still haveing a good time - Dyson

I've only been to Cordova once, many years ago. My second husband & I flew over there to look at a new engine for his plane... four cylinder instead of two! We flew over in the plane with the two cylinder engine... I was brave and stupid in those days! I grew up in Indiana, so I really miss fresh sweet corn. An old friend from Indiana came up to visit last summer and brought sweet corn... it was like having a big plate of lobster!

By all means, Dyson, stop in if you are up this way! We're such a big state that it is often hard to visit everywhere. Even our state capitol is only available by air or sea!

Yes, Sparky, you also stirred up my appetite! LOL!

Been to Juneau, (once).

The thing (to tell the truth) that made the hardest impression on me was "the Devils Walking Cane" does that ring a bell? (Oouch) & the Dunginess Crab..

Are you referring to that lovely ornamental lovingly called 'Devil's Club'? http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/51534/index.html

What makes it hard to hold the leaves? Is it because they are spiny? (Echinopanax horridum)

The Whole thing is verrrrry hard to hold on to:) (right weeze)?

Hmm... good for planting between your house and your annoying neighbours? LOL

Or - underneith a daughters window (prevents stealty exits).

(or stealthy entries) Great pics, Weez. A beautiful plant I'm glad I'm no where near!

Those things only grow on a steep bank where you are going to slip and grab anything to stay upright. You only grab them once!