All images shared on Nature Photographers Network (NPN)—including galleries, forums, and articles—are the copyrighted work of their respective photographers.
Images are shared here for viewing, discussion, and learning only.
Please do not copy, download, redistribute, or use any image for any purpose outside of NPN without the explicit permission of the photographer.
When you post an image in a critique category, you grant limited permission to other active, paying members to download your image only for the purpose of providing visual critique.
This includes:
Demonstrating post-processing ideas
Exploring tonal or color adjustments
Cropping or compositional suggestions
This permission is strictly limited to critique and education within NPN.
The reworked image remains the copyright of the original photographer
The downloaded file must not be reused, shared, or republished
The file should be deleted after the critique is complete
Any use beyond critique is prohibited.
No website can completely prevent image theft. Once an image is posted online, there is always some level of risk. That said, there are practical steps you can take to reduce the likelihood and impact of unauthorized use.
Use a subtle watermark
Including your name or copyright symbol can discourage casual misuse. A semi-transparent watermark is often sufficient.
Limit image size
For most purposes, images between 1200–1500 pixels on the long edge are ideal for on-screen viewing while limiting reuse value.
Apply reasonable compression
Saving JPEGs with moderate compression helps reduce file usability for printing while preserving on-screen quality.
As a general guideline:
Photoshop: Quality ~6
Lightroom: Quality ~60
Include metadata
Filling out your copyright and contact information in the image metadata ensures attribution remains intact if an image is downloaded.
Be intentional about what you share
If an image is especially valuable or sensitive, consider whether posting it publicly—or anywhere online—is the right choice.
By posting images on NPN—or any website—you acknowledge that absolute protection isn’t possible. While unauthorized use is never acceptable, thoughtful preparation can significantly reduce risk and misuse.
Now that we’ve covered the serious stuff, we encourage you to relax, participate fully, and enjoy the thoughtful conversations that make NPN what it is.
