Technology Watch: An Image Search Engine To Keep An Eye On

One of the most noteworthy new technologies making waves in the photographic community as of late is Idée's TinEye. TinEye's image matching technology is nothing less than impressive and enable anyone to have the ability to find where an image is being used online. TinEye isn't just a straight image search it goes much deeper in that it allows you to find an image that has been cropped, photoshopped or part of a larger scene (ex. a poster in the background of someones dorm room photo).
 
TinEye is in a private beta, but invites are rather free flowing. You can request them directly by visiting TinEye.  I myself have several and am giving them out to those that comment on my blog entry "Who Is Stealing Your Photos Online?" on TinEye.
 
Given the many concerns that photographers have about the Orphan Works Legislation, currently in the works, this is a bright spot on a cloudy horizon. Photographers gaining tools to find their work online is undoubtedly going to be a service in great demand. That's not just my opinion that is an attitude shared by Leila Boujnane, Idée's CEO. Upon learning of TinEye and quickly being won over by it I was fortunate to be able to interview Leila for my podcast EXIF and Beyond: EXIF and Beyond: Leila Boujnane. Take a listen and hear what TinEye is all about and what is in the works.
 
This post was written by Jim M. Goldstein. Jim’s landscape, nature, travel and photojournalism photography is featured on his web site JMG-Galleries.com, and blog. In addition Jim’s podcast “EXIF and Beyond” features photographer interviews and chronicles the creation of some of his images.