Popularity and fraudulent claims : The photos that were taken on this evening have become very popular on the internet. These rainbow images have been used hundreds if not thousands of times on the internet for personal and commercial purposes without my permission. I have received thousands of requests to use the images, especially the ones taken with a fisheye lens, in various projects. One image was even spread throughout the web in a "chain letter" type e-mail. I did not start this e-mail. Visits to this web page and other Missouri Skies pages of mine have soared into the tens of millions since these shots were taken. This has brought with it both good and bad experiences for me.



Back in 2009 I was even accused on national New Zealand television and the internet of stealing one of these images from a woman in Auckland (3rd image from the top). I was shocked that this happened. Needless to say I complained about this. They have since removed the video that claimed that I stole the image and admitted that I am the rightful owner after viewing my evidence. I received quite a bit of hate mail accusing me of plagiarism and theft because of this story. My brother summed up the irony in the whole mess by pointing out that they (TVNZ) used my photos without my permission in order to do a news story about using someone else's photos without permission.

Below are 12 ways that I used to prove that I created the photo. I showed the exact location including Google map evidence: Google Map of the Area I took people back to the exact place in this video: YouTube Video of me at the tree I have Additional photos of the exact area and scene taken the same day as the image in question: Rainbow at Elam Bend I had taken photos of the scene during different seasons. Some even prior to 2006. I proved the exact date, time, and camera data using EXIF data from my images I proved that I own the Lens/Camera combination with proof of purchase documents I have full image proof. The photo that was claimed to be stolen by the woman was a crop of a larger image. I have the original large version. I showed proof of early publication: Missouri Conservation Magazine, page 2 I showed proof of early publication: Spaceweather web site. Do an archive search for February 18, 2006 I pointed out that if the woman accusing me of theft took the photo on February 2, 2006 then the season in the southern hemisphere would be summer. Why no leaves on the trees? I showed a major error on TVNZ's part showing two different versions of the rainbow series instead of one shot as claimed by the woman. I offered weather records from the national weather service to prove the rain that day This issue has been resolved. Please see these findings of the New Zealand Broadcasting Authority: CLICK HERE

