Is it right to use others pictures for you Avitar?

[Tracy_Victoria]

This is one question I have to asks, as I don't feel it right myself, yet I've noticed and know it does happen on all (or most)forum. I raised this question as I've just replied to a post, where clearly the posted Avitar was that of a well know supermodel, so it certainly is not them.

I know I don't display an avitar myself at present, but thats because my SO has only seen me dressed 2 or 3 times in 13 years and as she is here (raksha) I don't display a picture for her comfort, when she is ready, and she will choose the picture, pictures I will post one here.

However is not displaying a picture of someone else, stealing there Identity?

I'm not happy to not to be able to show you all my Avitar at present so you all can see who I really am, and I have several guises believe me, but I would never use someone elses picture even if that was what I aspired to look like! To me it just seems wrong and certainly not using one of a RG. (I know some people have fairies, and drawn pictures, and thats fine it not a reflection of a real person, but how they present themselves in this space!)

Sorry not trying to cause a stir, just to me, it's me or nothing, and sadly at present it not me (but my partner and I are working on this so hopefully soon you!)

how do you feel?

Thanks

[Kate Simmons]

I wouldn't do it. If I pasted a pic, it would be myself. I like the blonde avatar because it shows a sense of style with just a little "attitude". Besides, I like the "mystery" aspect. When I finally do post my pic, it will be kind of anti-climactic anyway. I'm exactly who I say I am, nothing more, nothing less. I am a female adventuress after all (I.e. Black Canary) and am not bashful by any means. LOL Ericka

[ShortSkirt]

It doesnt matter much to me one way or another. I form my opinion of a person by how they act and what they say, not by how they look.

As long as their not misrepresenting themselves, it's all good to me.

[Joy Carter]

I think we are all into fantasy of some form so using another's photo to express the fantasy is OK by me. When I Finlay learn how to do it I'm going to use my favorite girl singer on my avatar I just don't want to cause a mass exodus from this sight by posting my photo. LOL :D

[Bobbie]

I definately would not use someone elses photo. To me that would be false advertising and if the world can not except me for what I really look like, then poo-poo on them. I've just started experimenting with makeup and I'll admit I'm not the prettiest but I am who I am. When I finally posted an avitar and photo, I used one I was comfortable with and as time goes on I'm sure it will change. Be yourself and have fun doing so, I sure am.

Lots of love girls,
Bobbie

[Tracy_Victoria]

Thanks girls

What I was driving at, is in Erika I can see the person she wants to be, from the image she choose to display, In yours bobbie I can see the person you really are. and I can draw from both of them, yet if i look at a supermodel, or a singer, or an actress, that all I can see, ie if I see a picture of Kate Moss or Madonna, then the only image I get is of those people, and not the person posting

I hope that makes sence!!!

[Bobbie]

Tracy,

I think you've got it figured out and agree totaly with your perspective of what the avitar really stands for, being yourself or striving to be who you want to be, not hiding behind someone you can't.

[MsJanessa]

Like they say above hon---as long as you are not misrepresenting yourself than use anypicture you like---the problem is that when you put up a photo of someone other than yourself in an attempt to fool the viewers into thinking its you---if you want to use a photo of Marilyn Monroe, Dolly Parton, Dianna Rigg or Madonna fine---if you use a photo of another T-Girl stolen from a website someplace then its a problem---I'll give you an expample of something that happened to Me at alt.com(another website) a couple of years ago---a person sent Me an e-mail saying she(he) wanted to meet---the photo was gorgeous---great figure, nice hair and clothes but the face was in shadow. We exchanged e-mails then IMed---during the course of IM ing I asked her to send Me a photo with the face showing---as all of My photos show My face---when she hemmed and hawwed about doing that I got curious and pressed the issue----finally "she" told Me that she was a 5'9" guy wieghing about 190 lbs no interest in dressing---just wanted to meet a T-Girl for sex and the photos were of his ex-girlfriend. I suspect this was only half the truth but once he lied to Me about the photos, I resolved never to meet the guy. As long as you don't attempt to use photos of someone else to lure people into meetings etc, I and most other on the site don't have a problem---bty I use only photos of Me and so far after 7 years nobody has ever recognized Me---If you were to post a photo of yourself probably even your SO wouldn't recognize you dressed.

[Natalie tv]

I dont think it is a problem, if you dont feel comfortable with your own picture, dont show it.

[MarinaTwelve200]

I can understand the aprehension one might have about using their own photo for an avatar. But in my case I look SO DIFFERENT from my male self, I even astound myself---and I am proud of that fact. I have no fear of being recognized and also have a pride in my fem appearence, so I am actually DRIVEN to post my OWN pic as an avatar.-----But NO WAY am I ever going to post a MALE pic of myself (Im still scared to)--Even though i could share my acomplishmentof displaying how different I can look with everyone.

[Tracy_Victoria]

Like they say above hon---as long as you are not misrepresenting yourself .

That was my point, surely if you are doing that, then you are mis-representing yourself, and maybe most of all, to themselves!!!


If you were to post a photo of yourself probably even your SO wouldn't recognize you dressed.

As I said, my partner has not seen me dressed in a long time, but I am very comfortable with me image, male or female. the reason my picture is not displayed is down to her actually being a member of this very forum, so although she might not realise it was me, she knows my user name, and i'm sure she reads my post and comments. next week hopefully I will show her my photos, and she will choose (hopefully) my Avitar for this site.

[Teresa Amina]

Better to find something like the cute cartoons so many use than steal someones picture. Mine is the best picture I have of my soul shining through. I'd really be upset if it were used by some sleazebag for who knows what!

[Ms. Donna]

I'm not a big supporter of using pix of other 'real' people, but as this is the internet, I don't make any assumptions regarding such things.

That said, unless people really think I look like sex-changing Japaneese anime character, I feel I'm pretty safe with mine. :D

Love & Stuff,
Donna

[GypsyKaren]

You can use another picture as long as you don't claim it to be your own, and it follows the rules of what's allowed here. I wouldn't use someone I know without their permission, or one from another member.

Karen

[TGMarla]

I think it's a terrible practice myself! The nerve!

Umm..Do you think this would work for my next avatar?

[EricaCD]

If you were to post a photo of yourself probably even your SO wouldn't recognize you dressed.

Funny you should say that. My wife recently joined this site. (More about this later; suffices now to say I could not be prouder of her for taking some painful steps in coming to terms with this aspect of my life.) I warned her that I was active here, so she might come across my writings. She confirmed that she already had, so naturally out of curiosity I asked how long it took her to recognize my avatar photo. She said she recognized instantly. I was taken aback for about 1/2 second; then realized on second thought that I probably would have been more surprised had she NOT recognized me. (For the record, I think it's fair to say that most people would not recognize me. I'll ask her.)

Back on thread: I agree with the general consensus here. If you are not comfortable (for whatever reason) using your own photo, then by all means feel free to use an avatar that reflects your fem image. However, creating the implication that another GG's or CD's face or body is in fact yours seems to be a pretty clear no-no.

Erica

[Lawren]

I would not do it. Using a pic of someone else, (i. e.; a famous person), might not cause problems because they have so many pix in "public domain". However, using a pic of a fictional/catoon character or charicature may be in violation of copyright laws. I think the chances of getting caught are very slim but I wouldn't take the chance.

My 0.02 worth.

[btmgrl6]

Don't be silly, the hair color would give you away....
Steph

[Keely]

Marla, if you crop just right it could work.:)

[tvgirl4fun]

I think when people use pics of someone else, it's just something else that their lieing about. And relative to what Lawren said in post #17, it is a copyright violation of using someone elses' image, be it a photo or drawing (cartoon).

And Erica, you shouldn't have been surprised that your wife recognized you. People that see you regularly see certain aspects of you that wigs and dresses and make up can't hide. I remember the first time I went to my PO dressed, make up, etc., the girl behind the counter just went back and got my mail without me saying anything. It was when she handed me my mail the she realized I "looked different". There's others that work there as well, and it has taken some of them a while to figure out that I crossdress. And I think there's some that still don't have a clue to the connection.

Jaie

[Toyah]

Just a personal thing but I like to see who I speak to, using someone elses picture just is not right make a cartoon or make a picture but please dont take anyone elses pic

[Billijo49504]

Personally, I think it's tacky to use someone elses picture. But the SI cover looked good. If you don't want a picture of yourself on the page, use a genaric avatar. It's just not the right thing to do...BJ

[stephanie100]

Why use someone elses pic ? one day we may meet others from the site we would never reconise each other. mind you if in drab.................
Steph

[Sam-antha]

An Avatar is the personification of the character of the writer of the thread.
The Avatar becomes the writer in the mind of the readers.
I think of "x" as being that "yyy". It does not help if the YYY is Marilyn Monroe.
It helps even less if "x" publishes pics of herself.
If there must be a facial photo avatar, let it be the member's face.
0.02
~Samm

[Julie Avery]

I have a sense that the world has no need to see me en femme, so it's Bugs for me.

[Shelly Preston]

The using of someone else's pic is not a good idea.
I don't however some are using cropped pics in which you could never really identify the real person unless you had seen the original pic.

e.g. someones legs ( those legs you see are all my own) or Lips, as in ShortSkirt's avatar.

If someone is that interested they will ask about you avatar.
Then you should be honest enough to tell them.

[carol ann]

Like shelley, the alternative is just to show the bits thatyou are comfortable with

[urban gypsy]

Hi I have to admit that the other week when reading this thread I thought well I post pictures of my self, so why not use one as my aviatar. so thats what i have done although I have changed it a few times.
Thanks for changing my views on this.

[jillinla]

OK! OK !

I confess
That's not really me in the Matisse drawing.

(feel a lot better now that I've come clean)

[SherriePall]

Aw. And I was just going to change my avatar pic to the one of me with my blonde wig, looking a lot like Faith Hill.

[Karren H]

Doesn't matter to me. Some use then to portray how they feel or how they want to look and that's ok with me!!! I perfer to use my actual photos, after all....... I am a photo ****!! hehehe

Love Karren

[Karren H]

I have a sense that the world has no need to see me en femme, so it's Bugs for me.

BTW, Julie.......I love the CD bugs!!!! Waskely Wabbit!! hehehe

Love Karren

[susiej]

Ladies,

This forum is an interesting combination of fantasy and reality. On the one hand, we all use pseudonyms, to protect our privacy (Rule Number One). I can tell you for an honest fact that my first name is not really Susie :).

On the other hand, we try to be honest with each other, within the confines of rule number one. The opinions I express here are genuine. The stories I tell about my personal life are too, modulo a few detail shifts to accommodate Rule Number One.

I don't look much like my avatar. OK, I *really* don't look like my avatar. But, when I get dressed up, stand in the bathroom and close my eyes while looking in the mirror (try it -- it's quite a trick), somebody very much like my avatar is standing there, staring back at me, hoping I'll open my eyes and see her as she really is.

In my dreams, I am svelte, buxom and blonde. So, my avatar represents my self in my dreams. I don't think there's a particularly big distinction between having a photograph of an obvious model or babe, on the one hand, or a 'toon, on the other, as one's avatar. Both are clearly not intended to be taken seriously, because of Rule Number One.

My hat, er, bonnet is off to all those girls who can really post true pictures of themselves as their avatars. Wish I could. In the meantime, perhaps at some level that blonde chick to my left is the true me.

Hugs,
Susie

[sierracd6]

It is all fantasy for us...and to post a real pic takes some...well we all know...but an attitude by avitar is nothing but how we feel or depict ourselves................who needs maid service?

[Trisha]

i use my own pic

[sierracd6]

I will soon have my own pics also....onceI figure how to use this thing by myself........

[jo ann]

Eventhough the idea of me in a swimsuit is very intreaging ,why should I steal anothers girls personna. jo ann:GE:

[miche_miche]

ok, after reading this post i feel embarrassed. i never intended to deceive anyone with the picture in my avatar. i don't look like that, but i do FEEL like that. i probably will change the avatar now that this has been brought to my consciousness, but i need to give it some thought. i want one that communicates something about me, but no photos exist of the real miche and none are likely to exist in the near future. i'll keep this avatar for now, but i've changed my signature - see below - so there's no confusion.

[HaleyPink2000]

Actually there is copyright infringements to worry about also, if you use someone’s picture other than your own. You could be in real do do! Go to any office store and ask them to copy a picture. They ask you for the signature of the person that took the picture and the subjects signature before they will copy it for you. It's just not really the thing to do.
I know many people do it, but I would not.

[Win Der Mere]

As a relative newcomer, I was appalled to discover that the CD whose "perfection" I had been admiring, and was aspiring to emulate, was not in fact herself !
The jokey pics, fine. Just the best bits, equally fine. I take the point about being identified, but I'm striving for the totally convincing presentation, and not until I have it will I post a picture. I wouldn't go to the shops or the office in my gardening clothes, and , in drab, am always a bit embarassed when people who associate me with a "professional existence", meet me, for example, walking the dog, or down at the tip disposing of rubbish.
Love Dalesman

[FionaAlexis]

No.

[Kristen Kelly]

Just a personal thing but I like to see who I speak to, using someone elses picture just is not right make a cartoon or make a picture but please dont take anyone elses pic


I feel the same way and yes this is me.

24841

[RachelDenise]

It can be a tricky subject. I don't want to use my picture (rule number 1) but I think to use someone elses's picture might be somewhat misleading. Therefore I tend to use cartoons, drawings or clearly stuff that isn't me, at least now I do! I do believe that there are girls who use another's photos or parts of the picture without the face because it shows their inner self externally. The intent is the issue. However, you can't know the intent just by looking. Maybe the answer is to get to know the person and decide for yourself!

[ShortSkirt]

Maybe the answer is to get to know the person and decide for yourself!

Thank You.:happy:

[Tiffy]

I do not think it really matters. And as far as see who your talking to. Heck most do not even read. I have had a bunch of e-mails stating how hot I am in my avatar. And it says right in my signature "Avatar is not me" NO ONE reads it. And I HATE MY TRUE SELF SO I CHOOSE TO HIDE BEHIND MY AVATAR, as some of us will never look good enough to show pics of ourselves. And I have yet to understand why anyone cares. If it is not your avatar and profile don't worry about it. That person might just be a thirdgeneration lumberjack that stands 6' 6" and weighs 360 pounds. And maybe is ashamed of themselves and they see a pic of someone that they wish in their hearts they were. and they want to show everyone what they dream of. I agree that it should say someplace that it is not you. But, leave people alone for what they use. i am sure they have their reasons.


April Marie

[JoAnnDallas]

Some girls feel self conciense that they feel that they are not ready to show thier true face. As long as the avatar that is used, is tasteful and one can tell it is NOT the face of the person, then I feel it is OK.

It is only when someone puts up a avatar of a real GG, that is not the picture of the poster, then it gets confusing. Even if the poster states that it is NOT thier real face, the avatar gets posted on all thier posting, so unless they want to keep posting the disclaimer everytime they post. It would be better ro use a avatar that everyone would know at a glance that it is not the poster's real image.

[Tiffy]

Just add the disclaimer to your signature and it will be there every time you make a post.

April

[BlueRoseGinny]

I like the dolls cause I can change their clothes and hair color when I want. Something I do a lot in real life too. Now I don't take pictures everytime I cut or dye my hair which I do every month sometimes every other week depends on how bored I am. And I can't get the hair color I want but the doll has it and thats what I want people to see.
There are free web sites you can get the dolls to use for free. And trust me I have hundreds cause my daughter loves them. And with the doll I always look cute no matter how I feel or what I look like this week.

[Siobhan Marie]

The avatar I use isn't me but I use it cos I like its sentiments. I have got a photo of my lower half on my mobile phone that I want to use for a profile pic when I can get the means to download it.

:hugs: Anna x

[chantelle]

I dont think it is a problem, if you dont feel comfortable with your own picture, dont show it.

So is that u in the picture or not?