A post about Plagiarism

So this started from a post in the Inktober thread, Within it a user made a post saying: "My favorite subclass" with [url=http://i.imgur.com/FcxTB3b.jpg]this image[/url] posted. Upon seeing the image I called him out saying it wasnt a pen drawing but a photo filter applied to an image. We went back and forth for awhile ultimately ending in him muting me. Now it was requested that I compare the image to it's original so I have done just that above ([url=http://i.imgur.com/PPNhuFb.png]Full Opacity for those interested[/url]) and In doing so you can clearly see that this image is indeed Plagiarized. [url=http://i.imgur.com/qEXKDS4.jpg]Original Image copied for reference[/url] [i]It's possible for people to draw identical images, maybe you just suck[/i] well true that it is indeed possible, but here's the kicker: He said that this is an [u][b]Ink Drawing[/b][/u] he did a few months back when the creations page was first introduced. Let me go into more detail on why that's false: Please turn your attention to this [url=http://i.imgur.com/x9KXi1e.jpg]copy of his image[/url] and look closely to the areas I circled. First lets discuss the circled are of the bow, look how light that is. It's impossible to obtain that kind of glow effect using pen, ink is either black or slightly less black (that's why when people shade or add shadow within an ink drawing they use methods like cross stitching). alright with that out of the way lets look at the other circled area in the upper right hand corner. See those marks(they can also be found all around the image), why are they even there to begin with? If this were a pen drawing why include such an incredibly small detail? there's also the fact that they are incredibly light and impossible to draw with ink, so why are they there? [u]They are small particle effects that were present on the original image that got masked over when he applied the filter.[/u] now onto another [url=http://i.imgur.com/VSf2cli.jpg]set of circles[/url], this time bringing into focus the fabric within the image. Not only is the fabric in several areas too light to be pen but just unnatural looking to begin with. This image is clearly filtered and not a pen drawing. Now onto another note: in our discussion I asked him to prove it was his work by either: 1) taking another image of the drawing with his signature and posting it 2) Posting another piece of his art (with signature) to show he is capable of creating such a piece. 3) Drawing something new to show he at least has the skills required to make a drawing as such. He did none of these things and instead said he "lost it" and had no reason to try proving himself to me. Plagiarism is a serious thing to accuse an artist of. If it were me in his shoes as the accused I'd do everything I could to prove them false and defend my name as an artist. [i]Ok you've made your point, we done here?[/i] No! filters on images are fine but here's the problem with this situation: He took an official Bungie Nightstalker render, Cropped and resized it, applied a filter, and then posted it with the intent of passing it off as his art and getting prizes for said image. This is Flat out Plagiarism and absolutely Unacceptable. One of the worst things too is that, In regards to Inktober, He could of just as easily posted a stick figure guardian and had just as equal a chance at the prize as everyone else, but he didn't do that. Instead he posted A plagiarized image, which brings me to my next point: [b]What are we going to do about this?[/b] Not just His but Plagiarism in general, It's a serious problem that needs to be addressed. It robs from hard working artists. It gives the rest of us who work hard to draw a bad name. If any is discovered I think there should be actions taken against it. If it were up to me I'd at least have the person banned, but I don't make the rules. I don't know what This group's policy is on Plagiarized works but if there are none some definitely need to be made. Anyways that's all I have to say on the matter right now, Have a good evening and thanks for reading.