Jen's Blog
Jen Edney on assignment with the Ventura County Star back in April 08
Greetings from the RMS St. Helena!
Wow, it seems crazy to be at sea while Zac is at sea. We just plotted his location on the chart last night and, at that time he was about 180miles from us. I am hoping that we can catch him on the radio soon. By now, since the ship is fairly small, word has spread about a photographer on board photographing a young man sailing around the world solo. Everyone is intrigued and anxious to meet Zac when he arrives in St. Helena. I am asked every day if there's any news and, unfortunately since Zac's sat phone is so low on battery power I have little information to offer them.
Life aboard the ship is quite relaxed, something I have not experienced for quite some time. Nothing like being on a ship in the middle of the ocean for 5 days to force a bit of work and relaxation as well. I have been introduced to the game of shuffle board and cricket, neither of which i have seen or played before. The people on board are from all over the world and traveling for different reasons...some on holiday, some visiting family, some for work and others seeking/recieving medical care.
Being at sea is giving me a different perspective of the story, helping me to connect even more with Zac and his dream.
I have been asked by Marianne to explain a bit about the reason why my photos are so small on the blog and why my name is on them. I am a professional freelance photographer and selling my photos is how I make a living. If I do not protect my photos then anyone can just take them off the web and use them how they would like and I would never make any money. Because the photos are under copyright, any copying and pasting of my photos off of the blog or any other website is copyright infringement. I have put all that I have into covering Zac's story and am 110% dedicated to the job and doing it well. I would ask that my work be respected.
I can't even begin to thank everyone who is followingZac's journey for all their kind and encouraging words to Zac and all that are involved with this project. Please know that your messages donot go unnoticed and are very much appreciated.
Cheers!
Jen
You can contact Jen directly at jenedney@yahoo.com for photo permissions. Also see her blog at http://jennedney.blogspot.com/ and web site at www.jenedney.com
Jen chasing Zac in Majuro, Marshall Islands
posted by Zac at
12:31 PM
31 Comments:
Dear Jen,
with ALL the respect:
I think you should continue doing a great job but also recognize that this is Zac's adventure.
What I mean, in a friendly way: if you look at a picture of Zac's boat with Table Mountain et al in the background, it should not be interrupted by the name of the photographer.
Even when your name is a little bit smaller, everybody will see it.
Otherwise: Go Zac !!
Looking forward for a superb book with professional pictures from Jen.
Jen,
I think it is awe inspiring to think of being solo on a small boat so far from home and limited communication. Sometimes I think it would be heaven to have the phone battery melt down and at any given second no one in the entire world knows where you are.
That said I believe your story is an interesting one as well, for what you are doing is an adventure and a huge leap of faith in my mind. It takes on new meaning for me to hear that you have invested so much in telling Zac's story through pictures. I wish that they didn't charge money to attend the Atlanta Braves Baseball game so I understand about the tags on the photos. The photos that you have shared of the journey have really made the blog come to life for me.
Enjoy your cruise and thanks for the update.
Go Zac, GO!
SteveB
Birmingham, AL
Jen:
Your photos are wonderful. Thank you for sharing with the Zac-Pac. Those who comment negatively on your copyrights are so far removed from the real world that there is hardly anything to be gained by trying to explain it to them, Surely any book on the adventure by Zac will have many more. We'd also likely be a ready market for one such as "Chasing Zac" by Jen Edney.
Hope that you continue to enjoy your 'cruise' to St. Helena. Try to relax and enjoy. After many years of boating and having flown K's of miles, I had my first encounter with sea sickness on a ferry from Wales to Ireland. It was indescribably bad. I think I may have prayed for death! We arrived in Ireland, my foot touched the wharf and it was an instantaneous cure. Yeah, I'd still do it again.
Give our greetings to Zac when you are face to face with our man.
The Croaker
Jen,
It's so wonderful to get a blog from you sharing your impressions and experiences in documenting Zac's journey. Your photos, as well as those of the non-professionals, have given all of us a real view of the people and places that Zac has encountered along the way.
I completely understand the rationale for having your name printed on your images. This is indeed your livlihood and your interests must be protected. I recently experienced the same thing when I recently received my son's senior class photo proofs, as well as those of a family members photos who were done by a professional photographer. It's part of your business to protect your images.
I'm happy to know that your fellow passengers on the ship have apparently caught "Zac fever" and I hope that they have an opportunity to meet him once all of you arrive. I know that we can count of your documenting that meeting and share it with us here.
One final question. How long do you plan on shadowing Zac after St. Helena?
I think the original concern was quite valid.
Professionally you watermark the image. You don't down size it to nothing and obliterate it with the copyright note. That's intentionally ruining the picture.
If you copright a full size picture and have the copyright note at the bottom, will have the same legal affect.
Shrinking the image and covering it entirely makes for a useless image.
The image is there to convey the subject not an advertisement of the copyright notice.
Very unprofessional IMO.
HI Jen!
Thanks for your update. Hope that you have a grand time in St. Helena!
So looking forward to seeing Zac's book and many more of your most excellent photos!!
Blessings,
Anita
Waterloo, NY
Captain SV Wombat
Avid Zac fan
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
@ Anonymous
Why don't you have the guts to put a name behind your comments?????
Wasn't there a song "Coward of the Zac Pac" LOL
Axel
heye@madisoncounty.net
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Jen,
Thanks fot the images and the update on Zac.
Looks like you've got the support of those most invested in Zac's journey - Zac and the Sunderlands. I imagine you've also got friends and family that are encouraging you, too.
Hopefully, these will help you weather some of these stormy comments :)
BTW, Sail on, Zac!
Jen, I know it doesn't mean much, but I support your efforts and professionalism.
It seems that a lot of the folks here (not all of them) think that all of your work should be for nothing and your products should be free.
These people are called communists. Look how well that worked for the U.S.S.R. Keep up your ethics and do what you think is right.
Mouse in Whittier
www.myspace.com/mouseonamotorcycle
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Good Grief!! I'm so sick of the negativity!!!!!!!!
If you don't like who or what this blog involves, perhaps you should delete it from your favorites.
Jen, all the power to you sister!!
Zac, Sail on.... live your dream
Oops....I didn't want to start a controversy....
I only wanted to point out that a superb picture of Zac with TableMountain in the background was a bit ruined by that BIG name...
Hey, ZacPackers, don't make an elephant from a mouse !
Greetings and a smile from East London, South Africa
Will
Wow! I've been one of those readers.... very eagerly waiting for each blog since the very beginning. Zac was on a radio show I listen to in Vancouver. Since I love sailing stories, I was happy he had a website to follow along. I make sure I read every update and plot his positions, but I've made a point of not reading too many of the comments anymore.
I am personally appalled at todays comments. I've never 'blogged' before, and not sure how yet, but I just felt it finally time to say "enough please" with the nasty comments. It seems to me, and yes, I may be wrong, but it seems that the 3 comments before mine today are most likely from the same person, the same Annonymous person.
This bog comment spot is for our comments... the readers comments, yes, but why would someone make such nasty comments??? what is the point of that? My reasoning is you, (Annonymous') have limited good friendships of your own and are living a sad and lonely life, and the only way to make someone take notice of you is if you are mean.
Jen: brush it off - You're the one having a once in a lifetime experience! so enjoy all the sights and sounds of your journey!
Marianne: As a mom too, I feel you have a great deal of confidence in your Zac and that is the greatest gift to give your son.
I just wanted to end this by saying that I think Jen's blog was very good. It gave a different point of view in this amazing adventure. I am hopeful Jen posts again very soon!! In my opinion, it was the Zac HomeFront that added her address/website to the end of her bog post, not her, herself.
Willvp/East London: please be aware that in North America ALL photographic "proofs" are whitewashed somehow, to protect the photographers' copyrights - be it wedding photos, graduation etc -This is her occupation, and not her way of intentionally ruining the picture.
I'm sure Zac would prefer to concentrate on more the important matters of sailing alone at sea and studying a new port, than to be concerned about the thoughtless people trying to cut Jen to ribbons on his blog. *(I say his blog, however, he has reserved HIS right to included others to blog when necessary).
Barb
b.mccoll@telus.net
Now that Jen and Zac have made there way out of Cape Town i can make a commnet about there stay with us here at the V&A Waterfront.The
first i heard of Zac was a note my mom in LA sent me about this kid on this trip that was in the LA Times. My MD Willie Truter offered to host them at our dock at the Waterfront for his stay in Cape Town.What a treat to meet Zac Jen And Laurance, for the great maney people who make comments on this site and will never meet them let me tell you they are down to earth great people. Laurance and Jen worked on the boat 10 -12 hours a day, Jen was every bit part of the team.
The RACE with mike is a non-event!
Mike is doing a dash around the ice cap and Zac is having an adventure, meeting new people, eating new food,drinking new beer,and when this adventure is all over he will have made contacts with people around the world that will last a life time.
We took Zac racing one night and he said "i dont race" and he does not race he is a true adventurer and there are not a lot of people like that in the world today, well maybe Branson.
Re the photos Jen is taking, ask Zac how maney photos he has taken, he will tell you about 3!!! so without Jen as it stands now you would be seeing nothing, and if she makes some money on this trip so be it, i think se MIGHT break even at best.She is not doing this trip for the money she will earn!
She has been invited to row across the adlantic ocean but she can not do it as she has spent all her money on Zac's trip.
Having them in Cape Town was great and we hope they all come back very soon,and if any Zac pacers are ever in Cape Town please contact me for a cold beer at the Waterfront, erik@wiltel.co.za
www.wiltelmarine.co.za
If people want to make rude comments about Jen go ahead and do so but just think of the young girl reading them on an island all by herself,having a tear run down her cheek over the fact someone she does not know not liking her.
Just think before you press send.
Later guys.
Erik Bjerring
CApe Town
South Africa.
I have been following Zac's trip for about 6 months now and read the blog every day. I am 29 years old and got a boat and started sailing about a year ago, and I love it!!! Zac's trip is an inspiration to me, and I have an amazing amount of respect for what he is doing and how he is hangin' in there to accomplish his goal. Until now I have never commented on the blog, as I simply enjoy reading what other people have to say.
That being said:
To those of you who feel the need to fill the blog with negative comments, it really does need to stop. Without going into specifics, or naming anyone in particular, the negative comments, attacks on the photographer, comparisons to other sailors etc. are immature and ridiculous. Please find something else to do with your miserable day, as I am getting really sick of reading whiny little childish attacks and comments that are unproductive, immature, and totally dumb. Please Stop!
Thank you.
Go Zac, you are awesome!
Eric, based on the "chatter" here. Where are you staying Hout Bay?
It's a bit amateurish, when even Laurence , a brit, calls table bay table mountain port, and concludes that Cape Town is suddenly a "yachting mecca" Then we have Jen saying in her photos the "town" of Cape Town is lovely.
Did you take them to Mariner's Warf in Hout Bay.
:-)
I suspect Zac got "Africanized" on this extended long overlay .
And so he should.
Some of use born there, know.
It will be a reverberation of life for Zac to have stopped there, and continue on.
A defining moment.
@ Erik
I am glad that Jen could not start rowing. We need her for future Zac oparations LOL
Axel
heye@madisoncounty.net
Jen, I'm loving your pictures and as someone who also has concerns about their photos being used without permission, I think you're being generous by not putting your name in the very center of the picture. Any pics you share on here or on your blogspot are out of your generosity. Willvp is right in that the picture of table mountain with its tablecloth and Zac sailing by it is striking. Its one that I want. I was waiting till you explained how to get copies, but in light of this silliness on this blog post... I want to purchase a copy of that image. WillVP and those who are critical should too. I say shut up and put up your money, as I am ready and willing to do. Now.
Jen, please email me and let me know how much and how to do the deal, or direct me to your merchant web site where I can get that wonderful picture: alan at dvclub dot com
Thanks, Jen and bon voyage to you and zac!
Hello Everyone,
@ Jen, Please remember most people here love what you're doing and we offer no bad comments. The fact that your name is on the picture is your only protection and no explanation is needed. Without you Jen we would only have a blog without pictures. Your pictures always brighten up my morning every time I see them on this blog. It's amazing how people could tear you down for everything your doing here helping Zac and staying dedicated to this long and expensive project. Just remember this important fact Jen. Any of those people with negative comments would never invest the time or the money it takes to attempt a project like this one. Let's not forget they would also need the photographic talent besides all that time and money needed. Jen, your doing a great job and don't let other negative comments ever slow you down. Stay focused on what you set out to do and in your heart you know what feels right and Just Do It. Sounds like a Nike slogan, sorry Nike.
@ Erik Bjerring in Cape Town South Africa, what a nice post. Loved the part about a tear running down Jen's cheek reading those negative comments. You're a lucky fellow to be there and actually see all the hard work and dedication Jen is putting into this project. Jen is there to take pictures and she still helps Zac & Laurence with those repairs that took 10 to 12 hour days. This does not sound like the work of a photographer that is doing this strictly for the money. I'm sure Jen has helped so many other times when no one was watching!!!
Let's all be nice, kind, and thoughtful people before we post anything. I noticed that Marianne had to delete several comments. I'm so sorry Marianne that you needed to take this action again. I thought after yesterdays comments this would have gone away. It makes me sad that you had to take this action. Let's hope this blog will turn around and go in a positive direction from now on.
Have a great day everyone,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California
Now we have an 15 year old Australian girl to sail around the world. The link seems to be temporarily out but here it is anyway
http://www.youngestround.com/
Good luck to her too.
Axel
heye@madisoncounty.net
Jen,
Glad to read your post. As so many have rightly said your photos bring this journey to life.
I think most dont understand the
cost of what you are doing and the need to copyright your work. Zac is fortunate to have you documenting this journey for him.
May you be blessed seven fold.
Chuckled to hear that you dont understand the game of cricket. Unless you grow up with this game it can seem odd.
To Zac Packers, Here is a comical but true description of the game of cricket
"You have two teams, one out in the field and one in.
Each man that's in the team that's in goes out, and when
he's out he comes in and the next man goes in until he's out.
When they are all out, the side that's out comes in and the team that's been in goes out and tries to get those coming in, out. Sometimes you get men still in
and not out. When a man goes out to go in, the men who are out try to get him out, and when he is out he goes in and the next man in goes out and goes in. There are two
men called umpires who stay all out the time and they decide when the men who are in are out. When both teams have been in and all the men have been given out, and both teams have been out twice after all the men have been in, including those who are not out, that is the end of the game!"
Just a bit of levity to take our minds from those annoymous bloggers who dont understand.
Zac, safe passage to St Helena
Regards
Sherna
Hi Jen,
thanks for the photos and I am fine with the downsizing and the copyright notice (maybe a wee bit smaller, ah no it is okay).
But really it is necessary for Jen to put the copyright notice there. You may not have noticed, but she started that after her photo appeared on an ESPN article (http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3883711 , and other online magazines) on Mike and Zac. It had her name below it, but I guess the photo was just copied from the blog without asking for permission or paying royalties. Any layers here that help Jen getting paid by ESPN for using her photos, if that did not happen already)?
So Jen, go on and witness Zac's dream for us. You are our eyes and we are grateful for it.
All the best,
RK
PS: ZacPac, if you want to know more about "Jen's" ship go to http://www.rms-st-helena.com/
RK
Jen, as a designer and photographer (hobbyist wanting to go full time) I completely understand your need to protect your work and livelihood with your copyright. I'll admit that I do wish the photos where a bit larger and the copyright a bit more elegant. Some people save such shots as desktop backgrounds for a few weeks and with your name on them you are still protected against unauthorized commercial use. Unless it's a contractual issue of some kind.
But for all I know, the photo's size and resolution might be a space restriction on your hosting side, or even upload and bandwidth restrictions. Either way they are definitely welcome additions to Zac's words.
Keep on being an adventurer. Without y'all there would be a lot less interesting photos and a lot more photos of puppies floating. ;) Not that there is anything wrong about puppies. Yeah...
On a side note, serendipity rocks, my word verification is "paysea".
Jen you are doing an amazing job and as a photographer you have every right to protect your property. I shot some photos of Zac when he first moved intrepid to Marina Del Rey. After seeing the photos in Sailing Magazine and on CNN I realized that perhaps I should have placed a copyright notice on them as well.
You have followed the story well and your images are fantastic.
Zeke Quezada
Jen,
What a wonderful blog. You have made this voyage with Zac extra special with your photos. And as a professional, you must protect your product. You are an amazing photographer. May your devotion to Zac and his accommplishing his goal also create for you some income, as this will for him. I would love to read a companion book and look at a book of your photos of this journey. What a treat that would be. I would pay any price and would hope that you would benefit somehow.
We love you Jen, Keep on keepin' on girl,
Kathy
Bend, OR
Hey Zac Packers!...Quite a wave of negative comments here....I think we should just IGNORE those comments that are disrespectful...after all I believe these bloggers just want attention...,.and are behaving like spoiled brats...so, why are we giving in it to them?...
Let's focus on the reason we are here....to learn more about Zac's adventures, The Sunderlands, and enjoy Jen's pics and each other's positive comments....as well as to leave our heartfelt good wishes to them for all their hard work and enjoy the ride.
@Sherna...again...who's on first? LOL...(that was great on cricket). Thank You!
Betty E, Lomita, CA
You are simply doing what you must to both enjoy your photography passion AND make (or try to) a living. Nobody REALLY likes the logo on the photos but we ALL understand and I know I would do the same. Stay strong, stay focused and stay passionate about what you do!
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