@Krista: Thanks for the ‘grats! Just doing my part to spread the “Photrade gospel”…Photrade is the best site around for providing my top three priorities in photography–Share, Protect, Get Paid!

And thanks for the kind words about Photrade – we are really excited about the photography community that we are building!

- Krista

I’d like to second your comments on copy right protection and offer my views on why is important to me as a buyer of art.

The artist needs to feel that they can post their work on the web without being ripped off so that people like me can view the work and then make a purchase. Prior to the internet it was mostly by gallery hopping that a buyer could view fine art photography for purchase. For me, gallery hopping was a slow and cumbersome way to buy art. Anything that would now reduce the quantity and quality of art photography on the web would be bad for me hence the need for protection.

I like fine visual art (paintings, prints and photos) and, on occasion, I’ll buy something that strikes me, if can afford it. Possessing visual art is like owning a jewel; it sets itself apart from the environment through brilliant colors and creative layout. Furthermore, the very best of visual art will reveal itself over time as the viewer comes to understand its ‘message’. These attributes of beauty and ‘message’ are enriching. The web provides access to art in a way no other medium can. Once access is provided, the viewer can decide if they want enjoy the full enriching potential of the art by having the physical ‘thing’. Anyway, this is how I explain it to my wife every time I bring home another ‘thing’

At the end of the day, having access to an abundant selection of fine art photography on the web is important to me as a buyer. That selection will shrink if the artist does not have copy right protection, which, in turn, will affect the richness of my life.

& Thanks for the plug