Identifying the Copyright Owner of a Photo from Pinterest
When you come across a photo on Pinterest and want to identify the copyright owner, it can be a bit tricky. Especially if the photo lacks a watermark and isn't linked directly to the original source. In such cases, reverse image search becomes your best friend. Here, we will explore a few methods and tools that can help you track down the original copyright owner. Let's delve into the step-by-step process.
Reverse Image Search
The traditional Google Image search is one approach, but as Alicia pointed out, it tends to rely on EXIF data, which is not always reliable for pinpointing the original source. Instead, we recommend TinEye Reverse Image Search.
TinEye's technology searches by pixel, making it a much more accurate tool for identifying the source of the image. By setting the filter to “oldest,” the tool will display the earliest instance of the image appearing online, which often leads you to the original image. Another useful filter is “biggest,” which can help you identify the largest, potentially the most authoritative, version of the image.
Step-by-Step Process
1. Using Google Image Search: Begin by uploading the photo to Google and performing a search. Look for results with the same high-quality (HQ) picture and an upload date as far back as possible. These criteria can help you find the original owner of the picture on the internet.
2. Using TinEye: If the Google Image Search doesn't yield the desired results, try using TinEye. Upload the image directly to TinEye, and it will perform a robust reverse image search. Use the "oldest" filter to find the earliest instance of the photo and the "biggest" filter to locate the largest version. This can often lead you to the original source of the image.
3. Identifying the Source: Once you have located the earliest instance of the image, look for any watermarks or other identifiers that might indicate the original source. Check if the image is linked to a website. If it is, consider contacting the website owner to find out if they own the image or if they are hosting it from a licensed library.
Example: Lencería Colombiana en México - Toda época
I recently conducted a reverse image search on a photo from Pinterest, and I was ultimately led to the website Lencería Colombiana en México - Toda época. Here is how I went about it:
1. Uploading the Photo to Google Images: I visited the Google Images page and clicked on the camera icon. I pasted the provided URL into the search bar, and Google Images returned the following result:
2. Searching by Watermark and Site: By searching that name, I found the original photo with a watermark and the site it came from. Sometimes, the watermarked version can be a strong indicator of the original source.
3. Cross-Verification: As a further step, I cross-verified this information by looking at the "biggest" version of the photo, which often provides additional context and helps in identifying the exact source.
Conclusion
When trying to find the copyright owner of a photo from Pinterest, a combination of reverse image search tools like TinEye and Google Images can be very effective. By using these methods, you can often track down the original source and get in touch with the copyright owner. If the image is linked to a website, contacting the website owner or checking for a watermark can also be helpful. Remember, results may vary depending on the photo, but these techniques can significantly increase your chances of success.