It’s all down to interpretation

Whenever we post an image to the internet we should be prepared for it to be interpreted in many ways.  Depending on where you post it there may be total acceptance of the image, as is, or just as equally, you could have some very negative reactions. Take this image for example;

At first glance it does look Kylie is holding his penis and many people have found it funny because this image is all over the internet. Now if you look properly at the image you can see that it is really a microphone Kylie is holding. Why is Kylie laughing. Who knows, maybe someone pointed out to her what this image sort of portrays. When I posted this on the MyFinePix site which is run by Fuji for owners of FinePix cameras, to, as Fuji put it;

“come together to share images, knowledge and inspiration. It’s a buzzing online community featuring galleries, forums, photoblogs, news, features and competitions”.

The first few comments on the image saw it as quite funny. Overnight though someone objected to it and in the world of Fuji that means you’re tried, convicted and sentenced without any right of appeal. The image was immediately withdrawn. However, Fuji do not notify you of the actions they have taken, they just do it.  In the morning, when I noticed the image had been removed, I sent a query to Fuji. You get an automated reply assigning a tracking number, but generally that is all the communication you receive. If Fuji decide the image is OK they re-instate, if they think it’s not, they don’t. As an aside, the same is also true of posts in threads. Someone objects, Fuji immediately withdraw it. No appeal, nothing. if you’re lucky they will re-instate it. Just recently I had a post removed because I was mildly critical of someone and their actions.

Here’s another statement from the MyFinePix Site

“MyFinePix members love to help each other with ideas and tips through our forums. Whatever your knowledge and experience, you’ll meet fellow photographers who can help you learn and develop”.

In some cases that’s true, but there are many users of the MyFinePix site who are not open to suggestions about improving their work. When this happens they’ll mount campaigns against the more experienced photographer. They’ll criticise everything they say or do and will even use Fuji’s much maligned “Star System* to drive an image off the scrolling gallery, considered by many as the pinnacle of their achievements on MyFinePix. It’s no wonder many of the experienced photographers have left the MyFinePix site never to return.

Anyway to get to the point. To those of you who have taken the time to read this, the post on the MyFinePix site directing you here was the last one from me. I have also decided to leave.  My decision wasn’t taken lightly but the shabby treatment that I and others have received from Fuji finally prompted me to action. I am going to spend more time developing my blog and website and concentrating on what matters to me, my photography.

I wish you all well.

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