DeviantArt has had many articles relating to tolerance, community respect, and respect for stock providers. But what happens when two sub communities turn on one another? I am here to talk about the relationship between equine stock providers, landscape providers, and the horse manipulists and artists. I have made equine manipulations for six years running and have recently stepped into the realm of photography and providing stock to the community. Through my experience of working with manipulations, I have learned how to credit stock providers and how to notify them of stock use. It has been a rewarding experience for me. Now, entering the stock realm, I have a vague idea of what to expect: stock thieves, stock abuse, un-credited work, and much much more. As soon as I zipped up my artwork into a compressed folder, I knew the consequences of my actions. I have yet to experience problems, although I am sure somewhere someone is abusing my work.

What Started It All::
What prompted me to write two journal entries and this article was a stirring comment made by a member here on DeviantArt.

It is my job to inform you that equestrian based deviations have been banned on this account and the stocks are not to be used to create them. But after looking at your gallery, I think I can make an exception as long as they are not used offsite.

Every stock provider has a right to make and amend their rules. That is not what upsets me. What upsets me is this stock provider’s one exception to her rule s/he backs with such ferocity. (You will see what I mean in a moment.) But first, let us delve into why this bothers me:

1. DeviantArt staff, GMs and other administrators try to make DA flourish with tolerance. The staff and GMs, as well as dedicated members, like to see give and take between the community.

2. February of 2009 was DArama free month. DArama is another thing the community attempts to keep under tabs. Claiming to ban a genre yet allowing one person to be an exception is bound to create DArama.

There has been long standing tension between horse manipulators and stock providers. I have seen it first hand many times. The main problem seems to stem from young, inexperienced manipulators who do not understand or who do not know the rules of creative commons or stock usage. I assumed the problem was theft of stock and offsite usage, until I read further. By "read further" I mean I took a look at said person's journals. What I came to find was outright disturbing.

All stock providers take into consideration many things when they post stock:
1. What will my stock rules be?

2. What will I do if I run into problems such as my work being stolen and reposted or used offsite without my permission?

Many stock artists have opted to watermark their images and request others to send a note asking for permission to use a specific image. In this way, the stock provider knows who is using their stock and who to chase down in case anything goes awry. If they do not watermark, if they happen to find stock being misused or stolen they report it. Plain and simple. But what the aforementioned case turned to be was an artist disapproving of the images made with his/her stock.

3. Sorry to everyone who enjoyes this series, including my first and only DD, but enough is enough! You can contact me via note and I will gladly give up the password to anyone who isn't going to put a suicidal horse on the edge that's about to leap off the cliff to their doom. Don't forget the pointless emo text too..

B. ALL HORSE DEVIATIONS ARE PERMANENTLY BANNED. No, I'm not trying to be your creative block, but seriously... Is the horse the new dress? It needs to stop. I thought the placing the rule of no offsite usage would deter the horsey population, but I was sadly mistaken. NO MORE

DeviantArt is a community where we are asked to respect all types of artists. We are to respect those who make artistic nudes, those who model, those who make foxes, and even those who make "emo" images. All in all we are asked to tolerate our fellow artists. Granted, younger artists probably used images offsite without asking, but what is the information above saying? It comes off as saying "This is popular and I'm trying to stop it", which is bound to be fruitless in it's results. I admit to a personal distaste for constant suicidal images, but that is the person's way of expressing his or her self. If I did not want them to use my images for suicide or for a trend, I know to state this CLEARLY in my stock rules.
I understand the photograph is the work of a photographer. I take my photography seriously, although it is not as mainstream as my manipulations.

What occurred in this situation was a giant snowball effect. One comment was from three journals, three journals spurred two, spurred upset comments, and so on and so forth. This is what the members and staff here at DA are trying to prevent.

So, what can we do to bring these divided genres / sub communities together?
1. Spread awareness. This is on both sides. Stock providers need to keep in contact with equine manipulators and vice versa.

2. Set up a system of communication. Once a system of communication is set, it can bridge the gap between us. There may be disagreements, but it is better than stumbling upon it via a journal or comment.

3. Agree to help one another out. Start up education clubs for younger manipulators, I am sure they would love to have time with the more experienced and more popular artists.
;D

4. Keep in touch. If one group notices something that bothers them, that group should speak up. NOT A RANTING JOURNAL. Bring awareness in, and start from the beginning if needed.

5. Take preventative measures. Stock providers do not have to have a grudge against equine artists and vice versa.

The last part is all up to you, the reader. Are you an equine artist? Here is a checklist for you:
Keep in touch with your favorite stock providers. Watch them, comment on images or journals. Let them know you are reliable and trustworthy by being there.

ALWAYS report stock usage. If you upload at 2 am, go back the next afternoon and type up a little comment saying "hello, i used your stock [link]"

MAKE GOOD CREDITS. When crediting stock artists, I use :dev-deviantnamehere-: and :icon-iconofdevhere-: Sometimes, I link to the specific image I used.

Are you a stock provider? Here are some ideas for you too:

CLEARLY STATE YOUR RULES. I know, some people will skip reading rules and will do what they want, if so the report deviation button becomes your best friend.

Add specific information if needed. IE: Do not use my images in pictures depicting suicide or ..... etc etc


Not all tension will disappear overnight and it takes willing people on both sides to make things work. My personal journal will be updated regularly. Feel free to add input here or to my journal if you would like to assist in anyway ^_^