Walgreens would not print this photo !

And it was not because I am a pro photographer plus I know the person behind the counter. The digital rights management and copyright laws are sooooooooo strong that they are gunshy of getting caught.

In one case, I needed the pic nearly in real time for a gift and Walgreens allowed me to sign a waiver declaring that I owned the picture and no copyright was being infringed.

In another case, I purchased a CD containing some regional competition dance pics that included my daughter because the regional competition did not permit anyone to take pics since they wanted to charge an arm and a leg. Since I wanted to wash the pics through PS and do some cropping, etc., I chose to purchase the CD of 6 images at an outrageous cost. I spent hours blurring the background, cropping, and otherwise improving the images that I had purchased and then Walgreens refused to print them without a release. I guess I was supposed to just view them on the CD!!!! With a little creativity in Word, I created a release from an imaginary company and the clerk glanced at it and printed my pics. While I do not recommend this latter method for copyrighted images, in this case I felt it was justified since I owned the images. Since then, I have used Shutterfly and MPix and been VERY happy--just cannot get the satisfaction of viewing the prints an hour later, but at least the prints I order from Shutterfly and MPix precisely match what I see on my calibrated monitor.

MikeSp

1000Words said:

Had an annoying experience at a Walgreens photo center today. I
uploaded a picture of my kids to the Walgreens website I took at
home using a new background I bought. It was just using a single
bounced flash (Canon 20D + 580EX + Stofen Omnibounce) as you can
tell by the shadow on the background. I got to the store to pick up
the 8x10 print and they said they cancelled the order because they
are not allowed to print professional photos ! I tried convincing
them that it's just at my home using a make shift studio but they
wouldn't listen. They said some other stores like Walmart and
Kinkos have been sued by studios for printing their photos.
They said if I proved to them that it's not a professional photo
they'll print it.

Click to expand...

Take your business to some place other than Walgreens. Simple as that. No amount of logical talking you'll do is going to change their minds. Minimum wage employees working under rules made by some lawyer in their corporate offices aren't going to believe you and take a chance of loosing their jobs.

Another reason I print at home -- I'm by no means a professional but did an informal shoot for a friend's wedding - she then took the cd I burned to her local photo shop (they now live out of state) wanting to get some reprints. The shop refused saying they were professional prints and they couldn't without a release from the photographer. While my shots were nice I wouldn't have put them in the category to have led to that result. I guess that's what happens when they see the resolution from today's 6mp dslrs vs point and shoot cameras. I now include a Word document on any cd I burn when I do the same for friends that states reprints are ok and that the person posessing the cd has the right to reprint the photos contained on it. Also - I have had some trouble getting prints from various places to look the way they should vs how I can print them at home with a color calibrated monitor and printer - so in the long run it's easier for me to print myself (up to 13x19) and leave only the poster size prints to the online labs.

They do excellent work and have great turn around time.

The best part is they deliver right to your home for very reasonable prices. It is especially good service when you compare the quality to the walgreens, walmart, costco, sams, etc... They are much better, especially for portraits.

I must have tried 20+ different print services and Mpix is my favorite by far.

--
Derek

Adding in a simple photo of the same backdrop with your personal information (as opposed to a full-moon!) might be more than enough to do the trick. A sizeable piece of paper/posterboard with your Name, Address, and Phone number and maybe a catchy little jingle like: "These pictures are mine, so print them when I pay you to." or something along those lines.

That just might resolve the potential issue and absolve the employee from any fear and trepidation they might have. If not, just move on.. I doubt you'd be missing much by NOT getting prints done at WALGREENS, of all places.

Regards,

icmp

gavin said:

Just print with an inkjet printer and matching photopaper, why go
to walgreens or costco? Inkjet has better print quality anyways
nowadays and its cost effective for a few copies. If you need 10s
of prints then go to a big photo place.

Click to expand...

I love thr rich color of inkjet printer which I used to print my own, but now the print from much more expensive printer are lot cheaper than inkjet, so I haven't printed on inkjet for many years now.

Yup! it's a pain in the donkey to not be able to control the printer, but have to depend on their setting. But it's lot cheaper this way, and their print may last longer than inkjet which I found some color fades quicker than other (it was many years ago, and I don't know about newer technology).

Ask them how many pros would try to sell a studio image with a kid that was being very candid! They just wouldn't do it and that's all there is too it...

1000Words said:

Had an annoying experience at a Walgreens photo center today. I
uploaded a picture of my kids to the Walgreens website I took at
home using a new background I bought. It was just using a single
bounced flash (Canon 20D + 580EX + Stofen Omnibounce) as you can
tell by the shadow on the background. I got to the store to pick up
the 8x10 print and they said they cancelled the order because they
are not allowed to print professional photos ! I tried convincing
them that it's just at my home using a make shift studio but they
wouldn't listen. They said some other stores like Walmart and
Kinkos have been sued by studios for printing their photos.
They said if I proved to them that it's not a professional photo
they'll print it.
Here is the picture I was trying to print:

Click to expand...

--

'The probability that we may fall in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just; it shall not deter me.' -- Abraham Lincoln

EOSMan said:

Show them the snap shots of your kids from your wallet.

I would take this as a compliment, then sue them

Click to expand...

Sue Walgreens because they refused to print a picture for fear of being sued?

Very funny!

I had the same issue with http://www.kodakgallery.com/ . They would not print my pics without having the photographer (me) signing a release form. I sent the release form with my information and signature and they denied the approval because I was the person who signed the release and the person ordering the print. 1 day later I uploaded the same picture again and Kodak printed it without question. I guess it's left to the discretion of the print processor.

I was using Miller's Photo for a very long time and they did an excellent job. They eventually announced MPIX.COM for the consumer. The print quality is exactly the same as the pro services but at lower print prices.

The only issue I have had with them is, studio portraits with a white background don't print so well if you let them color correct. I think they have automated software that does the color correction that doesn't work well with white backgrounds. I now color correct my own images before sending them to MPIX and select "do not color correct" in the ordering options.

Take another shot of the backdrop and kids and home, else tell them to examin the EXIF which should tell them that it was not a copy at perhaps twelve inches but a home portriat at around five feet?

But maybe Walmart don't know about EXIF.

Costco's printing service is actually aimed at professonal
photogs (from an article in their monthly magazine a while back).

Plus, I own Costco stock...

I’m glad someone seen the humor in that

danto said:

EOSMan said:

Show them the snap shots of your kids from your wallet.

I would take this as a compliment, then sue them

Click to expand...

Sue Walgreens because they refused to print a picture for fear of
being sued?

Very funny!

Click to expand...

--
EOSMan
http://www.pbase.com/eosman

MBellow,

You are right. Most professional photographers don't use Walgreens for printing. However, I wouldn't be surprised if MANY people try to take wedding photos and family portraits in for copies... as Walgreen's mistakenly thought this was.

I like the earlier idea of shooting another shot with the kids making obscene gestures and holding a sign saying:

"Hey Walgreens, I got your pro shot right here!

Jim

The answer is in your EOS Viewer Utility
See Page M51 of the EOS digital software book.

Put your name in the EXIF data then have the clerks access that to check the ownership of the taking camera. The EXIF is part of every image the camera makes. it can be edited but you need to know how and where to look for it first.
--
Member of The Pet Rock Owners and Breeders Association
Boarding and Training at Reasonable Rates

Why is everyone making this out to a negative situation.? I mean, just sign a release and it should be over with. As photographers you should be happy that retailers are steps to respect/protect the trade of those that pratice this porfessionally.

--
C. Andre

kiwi2 said:

Only in America.

Click to expand...

Amen...and I'm in America....

MCM

It's your fault...try taking crappier pictures. Walgreens is right - everyone continue to do business with Walgreens.

hahaha just kidding of course. That's just crazy.

Their pharmacy staff on the other hand is excellent. ; )

--
Pak K So

I did offer to show her that but they had already cancelled the order by the time I got their to pick up the print and so didn't have the image. Also, EXIFs can be edited, so that ultimately doesn't prove ownership ...
Thanks,
-Khalid

drh681 said:

The answer is in your EOS Viewer Utility
See Page M51 of the EOS digital software book.
Put your name in the EXIF data then have the clerks access that to
check the ownership of the taking camera. The EXIF is part of every
image the camera makes. it can be edited but you need to know how
and where to look for it first.
--
Member of The Pet Rock Owners and Breeders Association
Boarding and Training at Reasonable Rates

Click to expand...