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The image shows a way of connecting an optocoupler. My problem comes from how the emitter (Q1 in the image) is connected. The emmiter goes to a resistance going to ground and to v_out. When i try to add this to my circuit the pin that is suppost to be receiving data, the v_out pin goes silent. If i remove the resistance going from the emitter to ground and just have vout to the emitter everything works fine.
Normally you would connect the ground (0V) side of resistor R2 to the ground of the Arduino and the other side of R2 (which is also connected to the emitter of Q1) to an input pin of the Arduino. When the LED is energized by pressing the button it sends light to the fototransistor. Because of this the phototransistor starts conducting current (I1) which causes a voltage drop I1xR2 over R2. When this voltage is high enough the input pin will show a "1" (or HIGH) when read out. "High enough" means >= 0.7 x Vcc, where Vcc is the voltage of the powerline to the Arduino.
The website from which the picture in your question originates (here) has an extensive article about the working and implementation of optocouplers. It also shows examples of alternative circuits.
pin goes silentpin that is suppost to be receiving data.... which pin are you talking about?