Thoughts on Merrowfins? "New" Tailmaker

[Theobromine]

After this I was blocked from commenting any further (and my comments were once again deleted) but I was able to watch this glorious exchange unfold:

[LouLouBelle]

Oh dear...

I don't know why he didn't just remove the photo when the photographer asked...



... instead of deleting that comment, along with all other references to the original image... Then blocking anyone who had mentioned it (I've been blocked for my comments too, one of which you can see in Theo's screen caps. The other was simply replying to another persons comment saying nothing more than 'it's a pine cone'... Only a guilty conscious would consider that harassment!) and continuing to delete comments while claiming to have contacted the photographer and be waiting on his name(?!?) so he can finally credit the photo.

Really?? Come on...

I've got to say, though, the fact that the image was stolen isn't what bothers me most. It's the fact that he posted the photo as if it were his own work, and didn't correct those who thought it was until a good few people had called him out. That's deliberately misleading and dishonest.


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[Mermaid Alea]

The pinecone photo does remind me a lot of his other scales, so I see why it would seem like his own work. Saying that Google didn't provide the credits to the photographer isn't a good excuse. When I find an image using Google I click to view the page the image is from and ta da you can then find who took the photo and contact them to ask if you can use their photo.

At the end of last year I became the Editor of a magazine. I have used several photos from people off of Flickr WITH THEIR PERMISSION. It is so very easy to ask people for permission to use their photo. It is also very easy to credit them.

[Mermaid Momo]

So I think I'm blocked now 😂😂

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[Theobromine]

I've got to say, though, the fact that the image was stolen isn't what bothers me most. It's the fact that he posted the photo as if it were his own work, and didn't correct those who thought it was until a good few people had called him out. That's deliberately misleading and dishonest.

THIS.

Saying that Google didn't provide the credits to the photographer isn't a good excuse. When I find an image using Google I click to view the page the image is from and ta da you can then find who took the photo and contact them to ask if you can use their photo.

This too. It took me less than a minute to reverse image search that pine cone photo and find the photographer's Flickr. Matty was either blatantly lying or lacking enough brain cells to rub together.

Also, Momo, you are my hero right now.

The one thing that still really bugs me that no one has been able to figure out.....WHY IS HE USING A PINECONE AS THE INSPIRATION FOR HIS "MOST REALISTIC" SCALES????????????????????
In case you missed what I said in the other thread about pinecone scales on fish, the ONLY time a fish ever has pinecone scales is when it has dropsy and is about to die. Google it if you don't believe me. Gross.

[Theobromine]

Oh also, something else that should be pointed out: Matty, that's not how copyright works. Just adding the photographer's name to the post doesn't give you permission to use the photo. You need EXPLICIT PERMISSION FROM THE PHOTOGRAPHER TO USE THE PHOTO. Perhaps he's gotten that permission privately by now, but I'm not positive that he has, and the edit he made to the photo caption sounded more like a whiny five-year-old bowing to peer pressure than a professional actually giving proper credit.

[Merman Arion]

Thank you for the tea girls, it was quite enjoyable to read so far



As for Matthew..

[LouLouBelle]

Purely out of interest... Is there anyone else who can't wait to see what the new scale design looks like now?


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[Mer-Crazy]

Well I don't think he'd be so lax about not giving credit if it was HIS photos. How do you think he'd react if I took a photo of his, posted it here and went "working on something new! So excited! " Pretty sure he'd rage and say how dare I take his photo. "But Matt! It's just inspiration Matt! I didn't claim it was mine Matt! I got it off goggle and google didn't provide me with a name Matt!" that's basically what happened here.

[Theobromine]

Just as long as it doesn't look like this! BLEH


(source)

[kellygracee]

I'm understanding where both sides have valid points now that I've gone and read through a lot of other threads regarding the tail issue and people having issues stated above.

I completely understand where everyone is coming from.

I actually reached out to the lady with the tail issue and am trying to see if I can help assist in any way seeing how I choose to make a statement a few days ago. I hope I can help her or maybe offer to even buy her old tail. I've bought a few bad tail experiences off other mermaids and hope she just gets something nice, she likes and feels comfterble in and can continue in her business.

Sorry if I happened to come off in any way rude or maybe passionate about my own personal experiences. I do hope everyone gets a good final product and/ or can fix the issues they are experiencing


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[Theobromine]

....he still hasn't credited the photographer on that picture on his Instagram page. I know he's aware that he SHOULD because he deleted my comment linking to the original. Is it really that difficult for this guy to be honest? Seriously.

[Mermaid Cataleya]

So I think I'm blocked now

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U shouldn't be tho on a business page other possible buyers of his product to see someone blocked doesn't really look good. I know if I would block someone on my page I would get hacked from everyone else on the page for it


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[Mermaid Cataleya]

I'm understanding where both sides have valid points now that I've gone and read through a lot of other threads regarding the tail issue and people having issues stated above.

I completely understand where everyone is coming from.

I actually reached out to the lady with the tail issue and am trying to see if I can help assist in any way seeing how I choose to make a statement a few days ago. I hope I can help her or maybe offer to even buy her old tail. I've bought a few bad tail experiences off other mermaids and hope she just gets something nice, she likes and feels comfterble in and can continue in her business.

Sorry if I happened to come off in any way rude or maybe passionate about my own personal experiences. I do hope everyone gets a good final product and/ or can fix the issues they are experiencing


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I am very grateful for your help can't wait to do touch ups with the pigments


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[Mermaid Cataleya]

I am very grateful for your help can't wait to do touch ups with the pigments

Plus doing fix ups on this tail and getting use to this tail will help me be ready for my top of the line full silicone tail haha
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[Theobromine]

So this:


Led to this:


Which thankfully an awesome friend screencapped just seconds before the whole thing got deleted. Now the photo is gone from both the Merrowfins Facebook and Instagram pages, but I think it's already too late for Matty to pretend that he has any integrity. He's shown his true colors pretty unequivocally now. He's a liar and a thief as well as a terrible businessman and artist. I don't feel the slightest bit bad about saying so because it was his own actions and words that got him into this situation. He did it to himself.


....the only thing I am still confused about is why the heck he was even using a photo of a pinecone as a stand-in for fish scales in the first place.

[Mermaid Lorelei]

I usually try to be pretty unbiased and partial about these sorts of things, but wow. There's no hiding the fact that Matty stole a photo, lied about it, was busted, tried to cover his traces, and then tried to pin the lack of credit on the artist. To say 'bad form' is an understatement. Not to say anything about the poor quality tail.

And I must agree about the scale design. Why would you want your tail to look like you have dropsy?

This whole thing is a mess. A part of me hopes Matty will turn around, but I, personally, finished giving him chances a long time ago.

[LouLouBelle]

Deleting the photographers original request to remove the image and then lying about getting permission was pretty stupid...

Sad, and infuriating at the same time.


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[Dolphin Man]

Actually, I forgot. There's one more photo I found on his Facebook timeline that I think is for my tail, but that's the third and only other photo I've seen. It's likely the underside with two slits a male dolphin would have.

[Mermaid Momo]

Are they making you a tail like mertailor's tail for the adult entertainer ?

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